Senior Electronics Engineer (Instrumentation & Control)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission • Rockville, MD

1d

About The Position

This position is in the Office of Advanced Reactors, Division of Advanced Reactor Engineering, Advanced Reactor Engineering Branch 3. The role reviews and evaluates complex analog and digital instrumentation and control (I&C) aspects of systems needed for the safe operation and shutdown of nuclear facilities regulated by the NRC. The position is subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure and security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

The engineer reviews I&C safety and regulatory issues in licensing reviews of operating reactor amendments, combined operating license applications, research and test reactor amendments, and advanced reactor design certifications under 10 CFR Parts 50 and 52. The role evaluates I&C system and component design for functional capability, integrity, reliability, and operation during normal conditions, transients, accidents, and safe shutdown. It also includes inspections and investigations, technical and regulatory analysis, research oversight, stakeholder meetings, technical reporting, and testimony in legal hearings.

The position requires at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower Federal grade or equivalent experience. Federal professional engineering knowledge requirements must also be met through a qualifying engineering degree or an accepted alternative, such as a relevant PE registration, EIT examination, or specified coursework combined with supervised professional engineering experience. Applicants must provide transcripts. The position may be eligible for situational telework under agency policy. Employment requires U.S. citizenship, drug testing, meeting security and suitability requirements, and serving a one- or two-year trial period. A transferable clearance or background investigation is required; a temporary waiver may be available under stated conditions.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
• Specialized experience reviewing hardware and software functional capability, integrity, reliability, surveillance, and system operation during normal plant operation and safe shutdown under normal, transient, and accident conditions.
• Specialized experience managing and performing studies and analyses of complex technical issues involving analog and digital control and instrumentation for operating reactors, new reactors, and advanced reactor designs.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or software engineering theory, principles, and practices, including analysis, design, and operation of reactor analog and digital I&C systems as related to NRC licensing, inspection, or other regulatory programs.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of analog and digital technology used in real-time systems, hardware, and software sufficient to evaluate high-reliability control and instrumentation systems, particularly in commercial nuclear power plants.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of applicable NRC rules, regulations, policies, risk-informed concepts, and industry codes and standards related to I&C design, development, safety evaluation, inspection, and operation.
• Ability to communicate technical issues clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, to varied audiences.
• Meet Federal professional engineering knowledge requirements through a qualifying engineering degree or an accepted alternative: current relevant PE registration, successful completion of an EIT written examination, or a related professional degree or at least 60 semester hours of specified engineering-related courses combined with at least one year of supervised professional engineering work experience.
• Provide official or unofficial transcripts with the application. Foreign education must be shown to be equivalent to U.S. education, with credential evaluation evidence where applicable.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Must be able to meet and maintain security and suitability requirements; a transferable security clearance or a background investigation leading to clearance is required for new hires.
• Must undergo drug testing and satisfy agency drug-use requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification for continued employment after the trial period.

Responsibilities

• Review complex I&C engineering safety and regulatory issues in licensing reviews for reactor amendments, combined operating license applications, research and test reactor amendments, and advanced reactor design certifications under 10 CFR Parts 50 and 52.
• Evaluate I&C system and component designs for functional capability, integrity, reliability, and operation during normal conditions, transients, accidents, and safe plant shutdown.
• Perform or participate in inspections and investigations in response to requests, allegations, operational events, and potential generic problems.
• Develop facts during audits and inspections to support determinations about licensee or vendor performance quality.
• Prepare papers and reports on significant technical and regulatory issues for internal use, professional conferences, or publication.
• Prepare written inputs for audit and inspection reports and present findings to agency management.
• Identify and evaluate confirmatory research needs involving I&C technical and regulatory issues; participate in research review groups, provide licensing input, monitor research progress, and recommend research or program changes.
• Participate in public meetings with licensees, applicants, industry working groups, and other stakeholders.
• Prepare and present testimony in legal hearings.
• Manage and perform studies and analyses of complex technical issues, including analog and digital control and instrumentation for operating, new, and advanced reactors.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and life insurance plans
• Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care
• Dental and vision insurance
• Retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan)
• Annual vacation and paid sick leave
• Family-friendly leave policies
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Transit benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior