Experiment Project Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an Experiment Project Engineer who will perform a diverse set of activities related to analysis, approval, and coordination of in-vessel and gamma irradiations at the Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). These will largely include experiments related to materials science and isotope production to support key ORNL objectives. In this role, you will interact and interface with the experiment design and analysis team(s) associated with proposed samples, quality assurance specialists, RRD support personnel, reactor operators, and ORNL transportation-related organizations. If needed in the future, acquisition of certificate for transport of hazardous materials may be required. This position resides in the Experiments and R&D Programs Group in the Nuclear Safety and Experiment Analysis Section of Research Reactors Division, part of the Neutron Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Requirements

A BS degree in mechanical, nuclear, or aerospace or similar engineering field with at least five years of experience in a nuclear environment such as a nuclear power plant, research reactor or other nuclear facility.
Fundamental understanding of nuclear physics, materials science, and nuclear processes for isotope production.

Nice To Haves

A relevant MS degree or PhD
Experience with experiments at a research reactor
Current Q or L Clearance
Significant experience with coordinating transportation of irradiated isotope and/or materials experiments on a DOE site
DOT hazardous material transportation certification or willingness to obtain
Ability to review and understand neutronics and/or thermal calculations for acceptance

Responsibilities

Work closely with Experiment Task Leaders and Principal Investigators to understand their irradiation needs and guide them in the process of preparing for and carrying out irradiation experiments. This includes providing feasibility evaluations of prospective in-vessel and gamma irradiation experiments with the responsibility and authority to guide experimenters to compliance with HFIR safety requirements.
Provide review of experimenter documentation addressing nuclear and experiment safety or programmatic concerns with in-core and gamma irradiation experiments, including evaluation through the Unreviewed Safety Question (USQ) process; ultimately providing final authorization for insertion of experiments into the reactor.
Provide consultation for experiment design, engineering, calculation review, fabrication of experiment targets supporting ORNL isotope production program and materials science efforts.
Interact frequently with scientists and engineers of various disciplines both inside and outside ORNL.
Plan experiment loading configurations and develop instructions for HFIR Operator use to install them.
Perform dose estimates to support safe transportation and handling of experiments irradiated in the reactor.
Support experiment shipping activities. This could include evaluations of post-irradiation activity levels, isotopic content, review of shipping authorization documents, and coordinating cask loading and unloading operations. Learning will be facilitated by requisite training and working closely with experienced HFIR Experiment and Fuel Transportation Subject Matter Expert.
Work with RRD Experiments and R&D Program staff, RRD Systems Engineering, and other RRD Nuclear Safety staff to evaluate the existing facilities’ performance and develop corrective maintenance solutions for operability issues as well as conceptualize new facilities or improvements to existing facilities that meet experimenter needs.
Participate in HFIR experiment facility health monitoring activities and reporting.
Work with HFIR Operations to prepare instructions for installing, adjusting, and removing experiments.
Gain expertise using the EXSITE experiment planning, coordination, and resource platform.