Senior Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear Regulatory Commission • Rockville, MD

3d

About The Position

This position is in the Office of Advanced Reactors, Division of Advanced Reactor Engineering, Advanced Reactor Engineering Branch 4. The successful candidate serves as a reviewer of nuclear power plant technology, including reactor systems, reactor core or fuel design, nuclear methods, and operating performance. The role performs and supports reviews of reactor core, fuel, and systems design; process design parameters; nuclear methods; and operating performance for existing and new reactor designs. The work supports the NRC’s responsibility to protect public health and safety and the environment. The position leads resolution of complex technical issues and licensing problems and provides expert advice on reactor core and systems design safety. The supervisor is Travis L. Tate. The position has confidential financial disclosure and security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

The position requires at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower federal grade level or equivalent, involving review and evaluation of relevant nuclear power plant technology. Federal engineering knowledge requirements generally call for a qualifying engineering degree, though specified alternatives such as PE registration, EIT examination, or qualifying coursework and experience may satisfy them. Applicants must submit transcripts. The position is subject to U.S. citizenship, drug testing, security and suitability requirements, and a one- or two-year trial period. Situational telework may be available under agency policy.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized experience at the next lower federal grade level or equivalent, reviewing and evaluating nuclear power plant technology related to reactor systems, reactor core or fuel design, nuclear methods, and operating performance.
• Meet the federal professional engineering knowledge requirements through a qualifying engineering degree, current Professional Engineer registration, a passed Engineer-in-Training examination, or the specified combination of related education/coursework and supervised professional engineering experience.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Must meet and maintain security and suitability requirements and pass required drug testing.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Submit official or unofficial college and/or university transcripts with the application.
• For foreign education, provide evidence of equivalency to U.S. education and credential evaluation documentation; documents must be in English or accompanied by an English translation.
• Resume must describe specialized experience and demonstrate qualifications; applicants should clearly and concisely address the ideal-candidate criteria.
• Demonstrated ability to apply reactor systems and nuclear fuel theories, principles, and practices to complex designs, design parameters, and performance across reactor designs.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound technical judgments and recommendations and solve first-of-a-kind technical or policy challenges involving core physics, fuel behavior, reactivity control systems, control rod design, and core thermal-hydraulic performance.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NRC rules, regulations, policies, advanced reactor strategy and policy, reactor licensing regulations, system design standards, and regulatory guidance and practices.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical issues clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, to varied audiences.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with reactor systems design and neutronic and thermal-hydraulic behavior for non-light-water reactors and fuel designs.
• Experience formulating technical judgments and recommendations on first-of-a-kind challenges involving core physics, fuel behavior, reactivity control systems, control rod design, and core thermal-hydraulic performance.
• Familiarity with NRC advanced reactor vision, strategy, and policy activities and application of regulatory knowledge in nuclear reactor licensing, including improving regulations, guidance, and technical review processes.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, leadership, government representatives, industry, oversight or professional groups, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Perform exceptionally complex reviews and evaluations of reactor thermal-hydraulic system designs, process design parameters, and performance for operating and new reactor designs.
• Conduct and coordinate reactor systems analyses using advanced computer simulation for licensing reviews, including independent calculations and engineering analyses to verify applicant or licensee predictions of systems and component performance under postulated transient and accident conditions.
• Lead the resolution of highly complex technical problems involving emergency core cooling systems, containment systems, balance-of-plant systems, equipment qualification, uncertainty qualification, and verification and validation of methods.
• Provide expert technical assistance and advice to NRC regions and other offices on matters within the branch’s responsibilities or the employee’s technical area.
• Evaluate topical reports on new, original, or exceptionally complex safety-related technical subjects submitted by reactor vendors and major component manufacturers.
• Review and provide comments and recommendations on Regulatory Guides, industry standards, and Commission regulations.
• Present analyses and policy to internal and external stakeholders, including the NRC Commission, ACRS, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel, international regulatory counterparts, industry and nongovernmental organization representatives, and the public.
• Perform and support reviews and evaluations of reactor core, fuel, and systems design; process design parameters; nuclear methods; and operating performance for operating and new reactor designs.
• Lead resolution of complex technical issues and licensing problems and provide authoritative advice on reactor core and systems design safety.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and life insurance plans
• Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan)
• Annual vacation leave 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