Space Nuclear Subject Matter Expert

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Washington, DC

10h • Onsite

About The Position

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world.
The Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Technologies Division, within the National Security Directorate, works across fundamental science, research and development, and operations to counter emerging national security threats. We focus on discovering signatures and understanding threats by creating materials, methods, and technologies to detect and analyze them. Our researchers deliver the solutions necessary for addressing complex mission challenges, such as explosives detection, biological threat detection, chemical and nuclear forensics, and special nuclear materials.
The Nuclear Materials Processing Group within PNNL is seeking a space reactor subject matter expert. In addition to fundamental engineering analysis, design, and materials expertise, a successful candidate will have specialized knowledge in applying nuclear technologies to space applications, particularly compact fission reactor systems designed to produce electricity in orbit or on the surface of another moon or planet. Familiarity with betavoltaic devices and/or radioisotope power systems is a plus. Envisioned work activities include technical project leadership and management, business development, and technical task execution related to space nuclear design, testing, security, and safety. The candidate will be part of the Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Division, whose mission includes the science, technology development, and operational expertise to neutralize emerging national security threats.
Key responsibility is to work with internal stakeholders and external sponsors to serve as a subject matter expert (SME) to create concepts and execute strategies to develop advanced space nuclear reactor technologies as well as counter national security threats related to space and nuclear technologies.
Key responsibility is to lead project teams to execute project work related to space nuclear reactor technologies.
Work on complex engineering topics where analysis of unique situations and data requires an in-depth evaluation and assessment of a variety of dynamic factors. Exercise judgement in selecting strategy approaches, methods, techniques, and criteria that will generate the optimum solution and results.
Maintain an understanding and knowledge of key project issues and initiatives that will allow for proposing improvements and expanding the project portfolio.
Provide expertise in core engineering topics with strong analytical thinking and excellent verbal communication skills related to topics such as nuclear material processing; material science; heat transfer; fluid mechanics; radiation transport, detection, and measurement; radiation hardening, reactor design, advanced manufacturing, modeling and simulation, and experimental testing.
Maintain effective working relationships with other research staff, project managers, and stakeholders. Develop positive influence across project interest groups and external organizations and partners to move engineering concepts forward to viable solutions.
Recommend innovative designs and strategies that can be applied to meet project goals. Author technical white papers and proposals, technical documentation, invention reports, and analyses describing related technological advances in assigned areas of expertise.
Maintain interactions with and facilitate collaboration among a diverse set of multi-disciplined PNNL and external teams. Frequent communication with project points of contact is expected and required, with the ability to effectively interface with others to develop solutions and capabilities that will accomplish project missions.
Support occasional travel to interact with project sponsors and external collaborators.
Appropriately handle non-sensitive, sensitive, and classified information as required by the assigned project topics.
The incumbent must demonstrate an ability to manage sensitive information while influencing positive outcomes. The person in this position must recognize and accept that they will be working in technical areas associated with the National Security of the United States.

Requirements

• BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant experience -OR-
• PhD with 3+ year of relevant experience
• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
• Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Nice To Haves

• MS in mechanical, nuclear, aerospace, materials, or systems engineering and related 13+ years of space nuclear power applied research or industry experience.
• PhD in mechanical, nuclear, aerospace, materials, or systems engineering and related 10+ years of space nuclear power applied research or industry experience.
• Application-oriented R&D or applied technology development on space nuclear reactors or related components
• Solid oral and written communication skills, including detailed technical and scientific writing ability to convey complex information accurately.
• Ability to develop technical solutions to a variety of problems with a highly complex scope, based on national policies and industry standards.
• Experience with technical project leadership is required.
• Experience with business development and sponsor relationship management is strongly desired.
• Experience with spacecraft/satellite research, development, design, and operations is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Work with internal stakeholders and external sponsors to serve as a subject matter expert (SME) to create concepts and execute strategies to develop advanced space nuclear reactor technologies as well as counter national security threats related to space and nuclear technologies.
• Lead project teams to execute project work related to space nuclear reactor technologies.
• Work on complex engineering topics where analysis of unique situations and data requires an in-depth evaluation and assessment of a variety of dynamic factors. Exercise judgement in selecting strategy approaches, methods, techniques, and criteria that will generate the optimum solution and results.
• Maintain an understanding and knowledge of key project issues and initiatives that will allow for proposing improvements and expanding the project portfolio.
• Provide expertise in core engineering topics with strong analytical thinking and excellent verbal communication skills related to topics such as nuclear material processing; material science; heat transfer; fluid mechanics; radiation transport, detection, and measurement; radiation hardening, reactor design, advanced manufacturing, modeling and simulation, and experimental testing.
• Maintain effective working relationships with other research staff, project managers, and stakeholders. Develop positive influence across project interest groups and external organizations and partners to move engineering concepts forward to viable solutions.
• Recommend innovative designs and strategies that can be applied to meet project goals. Author technical white papers and proposals, technical documentation, invention reports, and analyses describing related technological advances in assigned areas of expertise.
• Maintain interactions with and facilitate collaboration among a diverse set of multi-disciplined PNNL and external teams. Frequent communication with project points of contact is expected and required, with the ability to effectively interface with others to develop solutions and capabilities that will accomplish project missions.
• Support occasional travel to interact with project sponsors and external collaborators.
• Appropriately handle non-sensitive, sensitive, and classified information as required by the assigned project topics.
• The incumbent must demonstrate an ability to manage sensitive information while influencing positive outcomes. The person in this position must recognize and accept that they will be working in technical areas associated with the National Security of the United States.

Benefits

• Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree