Lead, Waste

X-Energy • Oak Ridge, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Waste Lead oversees all radioactive, hazardous, mixed, and industrial waste streams generated by the TRISO-X fuel fabrication facility. The role ensures compliant handling, characterization, storage, and shipment of waste in accordance with NRC, DOT, IATA, EPA, and Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) regulations. This position is central to maintaining safe operations, supporting production, and upholding the facility’s environmental stewardship commitments. The position currently operates on a 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday–Friday schedule but must be prepared to support the plant when it transitions to continuous operation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, health physics, chemistry, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in waste management within a regulated industrial, chemical, or nuclear environment.
• DOT/NRC Radioactive Waste Packaging, Transportation and Disposal and IATA/DOT certification
• Working knowledge of regulatory frameworks governing radioactive. hazardous, mixed, universal and municipal solid waste (e.g., NRC, EPA, RCRA, DOT); used oil and recycling.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate documentation and manage compliance‑driven workflows.
• Ability to work the current daytime schedule and transition to shift work as the facility moves to continuous operations.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• Up to 10% travel.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in environmental science, engineering, health physics, or a related field.
• Nuclear Material Control & Accountability experience
• Fifteen or more years of work experience with at least ten years of direct experience in an industrial testing, manufacturing, or maintenance role
• Experience specifically within nuclear fuel cycle operations, nuclear manufacturing, or TRISO fuel production.

Responsibilities

• Operate according to standard operating procedures.
• Maintain DOT/NRC Radioactive Waste Packaging, Transportation and Disposal and IATA/DOT certification current.
• Oversees personnel responsible for waste certification and manifest development and approval.
• Advise on receipt and offloading of incoming radioactive and hazardous material shipments and their designated storage areas.
• Advise on unloading and unpackaging of contents from intermodals, drums, boxes, and other containers.
• Maintain inventory of shipping containers and supporting materials and equipment.
• Coordinate radioactive/hazardous waste collection and sorting activities and their packaging into approved waste‑material shipping containers.
• Establish and manage Satellite Accumulation Areas and 90-Day Storage Areas.
• Perform radioactive/hazardous waste and materials characterization and preparation for off-site including completion of the shipment manifest and other documentation as required, shipment communication per applicable DOT/IATA regulations.
• Manage the full lifecycle of waste streams associated with TRISO fuel fabrication processes.
• Ensure compliance with NRC, EPA, DOT, and Tennessee state regulations governing radioactive, hazardous, mixed, universal and municipal solid waste; used oil and recycling.
• Maintain accurate waste inventories, shipment tracking systems, and documentation required for audits, inspections, and regulatory reporting.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve waste management procedures, training programs, and emergency response protocols.
• Coordinate closely with radiation protection, environmental compliance, operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to ensure safe and efficient waste handling.
• Manage relationships with approved waste disposal vendors, transporters, and regulatory agencies.
• Interfaces with waste disposal sites to determine minimum cost disposal solutions and compliance with Waste Acceptance Criteria.
• Serve as subject matter expert for audits or inspections with applicable regulatory agencies and corporate auditing programs.
• Develop waste vendor surveillance and auditing procedure and program.
• Assist in training waste management personnel and contractors.
• Lead waste minimization and sustainability initiatives aligned with TRISO‑X’s operational and environmental goals.
• Supervise waste management personnel and contractors, fostering a strong safety culture and high performance.
• Develops and Implements waste minimization principles into design.
• Support the facility’s transition from daytime operations to continuous, 24/7 production.

Benefits

• X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package that includes a 401K plan with an employer match, Medical/Dental /Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development policy that supports the continuing education of our employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees