Principal Technical Advisor

COMPA Industries•Aiken, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Technical Advisor will serve as the Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) subject matter expert supporting the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF) project team. The role supports qualification of applicable Safety Class and Safety Significant structures, systems, and components (SSCs). It is a senior advisory position involving broad, program-level technical problems with limited direction, leadership of multidisciplinary teams on complex and visible work, and representation of technical issues to DOE and external oversight organizations. The position is on-site at Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina. The posting describes a part-time schedule of up to 35 hours per week, Monday through Thursday. It lists two different daily schedules: 6:00 AM–4:30 PM EST in the role details and 7:00 AM–5:30 PM in the contract details. The engagement is a one-year base contract with option periods; the posting gives differing counts of one and two one-year options, and notes that options are not guaranteed and are at the hiring manager’s discretion. The candidate must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” security clearance. An active DOE clearance is not initially required; the selected candidate will be notified when to apply based on assigned work. COMPA Industries describes its work as providing administrative, professional, and technical services for complex, mission-critical objectives. It highlights competitive compensation, a collaborative culture, and the opportunity to contribute to national security. COMPA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in physical science, such as chemistry, physics, or biology, or in engineering, such as chemical, nuclear, electrical, or mechanical engineering.
15 to 20 years of experience; nuclear-related assignments and direct operations management are preferred.
Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” security clearance.
Commercial Grade Dedication expertise, including development and review of CGD plans for Safety Class and Safety Significant SSCs.
Advanced knowledge of subjects such as analytical chemistry, radiochemistry, nondestructive examination techniques, reactor physics, statistics, or plant operations.
Some assignments in this job family require a major in statistics, math, or computer science, along with substantial practical experience.
Follow safety rules and training requirements and stop work when continuing would be unsafe.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree at the Master’s or PhD level; the posting states that it proportionally reduces the years of experience required.
Extensive hands-on experience with computers and various types of software, knowledge of administrative systems, and prior assignments in facility operations and maintenance, engineering, or business functions such as finance, operational or program/project planning and scheduling, information resources, or procurement operations.
Substantive management experience in these or related fields.
Knowledge of experimental design and project management.
Nuclear-related assignments and direct operations management experience.
Local to the worksite, or willing to relocate at own expense.

Responsibilities

Provide Commercial Grade Dedication subject matter expertise to the SRPPF project team in qualifying applicable Safety Class and Safety Significant SSCs.
Develop and review CGD plans, advise on SSC qualification decisions, and participate in project meetings.
Establish cost-effective technical solutions to issues resulting from changing requirements, and define and conduct technical investigations when appropriate.
Assess atypical and unusually complex technical issues and provide expert guidance on resolution of problems affecting program operations, site policies, and strategic planning.
Lead multidisciplinary teams on complex, high-visibility project work involving budget, schedule, or regulatory-compliance issues, engaging consultants and outside experts when needed.
Define the scope of new project work and changing technical program requirements.
Work independently to ensure adherence to technical policies and guidelines, and consult with management and staff on corrective action plans.
Represent technical issues to internal and external customers, including DOE-SR, DOE-HQ, oversight panels, and boards, and manage related correspondence.
Propose strategic goals and milestones for technical issues within the area of expertise, and develop strategic plans for new program areas.
Provide technical and operational input to Authorization Basis documents, technical reports, program-level procedures, and support organizations such as Training and Procedures.
Manage special projects involving multiple divisions, departments, or organizations, and contribute to programmatic improvement initiatives.
Stay current on emerging technologies and serve as a resource for advanced technical theories, principles, and concepts.
Make safety part of every task, follow safety rules and training requirements, and stop work when continuing would be unsafe.