Senior Materials Engineer

Nuclear Regulatory Commission • Rockville, MD

7d

About The Position

This position is in the Office of Advanced Reactors, Division of Advanced Reactor Engineering, Advanced Reactor Engineering Branch 1, 3, or 4. The role reviews highly complex or precedent-setting materials engineering issues to assess applicants’ or licensees’ implementation of NRC regulations and requirements, and proposed changes to existing licenses. It applies materials engineering expertise to operating experience reviews, inspection and enforcement support, and development of regulations and regulatory guidance. The position also provides specialized technical advice to NRC management and staff, communicates with internal and external stakeholders, and trains, organizes, directs, and reviews the work of junior staff.

The engineer reviews applicant and licensee submissions against regulatory requirements and guidance, applying risk-informed decision-making and performance-based principles where applicable. Reviews include applications and licensing actions under Parts 50, 52, and 53, as well as complex or precedent-setting license amendments, requests for relief, exemptions, and industry topical reports. The position also reviews safety evaluations and licensing documents prepared by other parts of the Office of Advanced Reactors and prepares responses to petitions under 10 CFR 2.206, public inquiries, correspondence from state, federal, and congressional representatives, and other external correspondence.

Employment requires U.S. citizenship, drug testing, and the ability to meet and maintain security and suitability requirements. The selectee must serve a one- or two-year trial period. This position is subject to confidential financial disclosure and security ownership restriction reporting. Situational telework may be available under agency policy.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service, or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
• Specialized experience demonstrating knowledge of the design, construction, operation, inspection, and/or evaluation of nuclear plant materials, components, structures, and/or facilities.
• Meet the basic professional engineering knowledge requirements through a relevant ABET-accredited engineering degree, current Professional Engineer registration in a relevant discipline, successful completion of a state-administered Engineer-in-Training examination, or an eligible related degree or specified engineering coursework combined with at least one year of supervised professional engineering work experience.
• Submit college or university transcripts with the application; foreign education must be documented as equivalent to U.S. education, with English translations where necessary.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to meet and maintain security and suitability requirements; a transferable security clearance or background investigation leading to a clearance is required for new hires.
• Pass required pre-appointment drug testing.
• Provide accurate and truthful information in the resume and application.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the design, construction, operation, inspection, and evaluation of nuclear plant components, structures, and facilities, including the value and impact of proposed standards.
• Knowledge of NRC regulations, principles and procedures, regulatory guides, and industry codes and standards applicable to the integrity of components and structures used in nuclear power plants and/or spent fuel storage facilities.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and control complex engineering research projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a broad range of audiences about technical issues, challenges, and resolutions.

Responsibilities

• Review complex or precedent-setting materials engineering issues to evaluate applicants’ or licensees’ compliance with NRC regulations and requirements and proposed changes to existing licenses.
• Conduct operating experience reviews and support inspection and enforcement activities using materials engineering expertise.
• Develop regulations and regulatory guidance.
• Train, organize, direct, and review the activities of junior staff.
• Provide specialized technical assistance and advice to NRC management and staff, and communicate complex technical issues with internal and external stakeholders.
• Review applicant and licensee submissions against regulatory requirements and guidance, using risk-informed decision-making and performance-based principles where applicable.
• Review and prepare safety evaluation reports for design certification and combined license applications under Part 52, construction permit and operating license applications under Part 50, and risk-informed, technology-inclusive review approaches under Part 53.
• Review and prepare safety evaluation reports for complex or precedent-setting license amendments, requests for relief, and exemptions from regulations.
• Review and prepare safety evaluation reports on complex or precedent-setting industry topical reports supporting generic licensing actions.
• Review safety evaluation reports and licensing documents prepared by other parts of the Office of Advanced Reactors for technical adequacy.
• Prepare responses to 10 CFR 2.206 petitions, public letters of inquiry, correspondence from state, federal, and congressional representatives, and other correspondence from outside the agency.

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