Simulator and Training Lead - Nuclear

Ocean Atomics•Bethesda, MD

10h•$150,000 - $240,000

About The Position

The Simulator and Training Lead is responsible for the development, validation, and sustained integrity of the nuclear training program and of the simulation products that support it. Additionally, this role supports the development of the engineering simulator by heavily coordinating with the design organization to perform iterative design of control systems. The role spans training needs analysis through course design, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement, with full ownership of the simulator scope, task and classroom simulation products, and the configuration control that keeps them faithful to the plant as the design evolves. The successful candidate will apply the Systematic Approach to Training to build structured learning and qualification pathways for operations, maintenance, and engineering personnel; establish and defend program compliance against nuclear quality standards, regulatory requirements, and industry benchmarks; serve as the primary technical representative of the training and simulator programs during internal and external audits; lead the resolution of findings through formal corrective action; and closely coordinate with the I&C design. This is a senior role combining hands-on technical leadership with heavy interface with the design organization, and it carries the expectation of technical leadership across instructors, instructional designers, and subject matter experts.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent technical depth established through licensed operations experience.
Deep understanding of control systems in nuclear power plants.
Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) license or SRO certification.
10+ years of nuclear experience spanning plant operations, technical or operator training, or both.
INPO or utility instructor certification.
Demonstrated experience delivering instruction on integrated plant systems and their interrelationships to operations or technical audiences.
Demonstrated application of the Systematic Approach to Training (SAT) across analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation, with measurable program effectiveness outcomes.
Direct experience with full-scope simulator development, validation, acceptance testing, or configuration management.
Working knowledge of the nuclear quality and regulatory frameworks governing training and personnel qualification.
Excellent technical writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience authoring or administering regulatory licensing examinations.
Experience applying simulator standards and requirements, including benchmark and performance testing, deficiency tracking, and periodic re-validation against plant reference data.
Familiarity with personnel selection, qualification, and training standards.
Experience with an industry or national training accreditation framework.
Experience developing a training program for a new reactor design or other plant without an operating reference unit.
Familiarity with international nuclear standards and host-country regulatory frameworks, and with deploying a common training program across multiple jurisdictions.
Experience supporting an emergency response organization, including drill and exercise development and evaluation.
Experience managing or technically leading instructors, instructional designers, and subject matter experts.
Prior naval nuclear or other military nuclear program experience.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, procurement, and acceptance of simulation products, including the full-scope control room simulator, part-task simulators, and classroom and computer-based tools.
Coordinate with I&C engineering to help drive operations considerations in the control system design and perform iterative design.
Define simulator scope, functional requirements, and fidelity requirements from plant design data, and manage the simulator design data package as the plant design matures.
Validate simulator performance against reference plant data and analysis, and lead benchmark, performance, and operability testing.
Develop and maintain the scenario and malfunction library covering normal operation, abnormal events, and design basis and beyond-design-basis conditions.
Maintain simulator configuration control as design changes and plant modifications are issued, operate the deficiency reporting and tracking process, evaluate deficiencies for training and examination impact, and sustain the periodic testing and re-validation required to keep the simulator qualified for use.
Perform training needs assessments and job and task analyses, and translate design, operational, and regulatory inputs into training requirements.
Apply SAT methodology to design structured learning pathways, develop course materials and examinations, and continuously update content against plant and program change.
Establish and maintain personnel qualification structures for operations, maintenance, engineering, and technical support positions, and administer qualification and proficiency programs.
Deliver or direct instruction on plant systems and integrated plant response, evaluate trainee performance in classroom and simulator settings, and develop and mentor instructors and instructional designers.
Support the emergency response organization through training, drill and exercise development, and evaluation.
Align the training program with nuclear quality standards, regulatory requirements, and industry benchmarks, and maintain the documented basis for compliance.
Serve as primary representative during internal and external audits and assessments, verify the accuracy of findings, lead program reviews, and drive corrective actions to closure and effectiveness review.
Support accreditation, licensing, and examination activities, including examination authorship and administration where applicable.
Establish performance metrics and evaluate program efficacy, using examination results, program throughput, and field performance to drive program change.