Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Job Title: Nuclear Safety Engineer
Career Level From: Associate
Career Level To: Senior Associate
Organization: Nuclear Safety Engineering (51386721)
Job Specialty: Nuclear Engineering Safety
What You'll Do
As a nuclear safety engineer, you will work to fulfill an important regulatory function in a dynamic environment. Our nuclear safety engineers are responsible for obtaining federal authorization to conduct nuclear operations at the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12). These operations, which support the manufacture of nuclear weapon components and naval reactor fuel stock, involve a wide range of activities including chemical processing, metal production, casting, machining, assembly and disassembly, transportation, and storage.
Nuclear safety engineers are responsible for evaluating accidents that could occur during operations (events ranging from process upsets and equipment failures to fires, earthquakes, and floods). Nuclear safety engineers also are responsible for identifying the safety measures that need to be implemented to ensure the workers and public are adequately protected. Those measures range from administrative controls, such as material inventory limits, to engineered controls, such as fire suppression systems. To fulfill those responsibilities, nuclear safety engineers must develop a working knowledge of Y-12 operations and federal nuclear safety requirements and work closely with subject matter experts representing Operations, Engineering, and numerous other Y-12 organizations.
Nuclear safety engineers routinely perform the following tasks:
- Conduct hazard evaluation studies and accident analyses
- Identify safety controls that ensure adequate protection of workers and the public
- Perform Unreviewed Safety Question Determinations to determine if federal approval is needed before making changes to operating procedures or facility equipment
- Evaluate operational events and new technical information to identify potential nuclear safety issues
- Maintain safety basis documentation for nuclear operations via development of document change notices and annual updates
- Support projects to design, install, and start up new capabilities and technologies
- Develop major modification determinations to identify requirements when making substantial changes to nuclear operations or nuclear facilities
- Brief federal counterparts on the safety posture of nuclear operations at Y-12 to include both the scope of hazards analyzed and the safety controls identified
What You Can Expect
- Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
- Top-notch, dedicated colleagues
- Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
- Career advancement and professional development programs
- Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives
Minimum Job Requirements
The position requires a minimum of a bachelor of science degree in engineering, mathematics, chemistry, or physics from a program accredited by the U.S. Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). Designated equivalents from Canada or Mexico, the Washington Accord, or the list of substantially equivalent programs as documented by the EAC ABET will also be considered.
There is a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement up to 4 years post-graduation at time of offer and confirmed by transcript. Beyond four years from graduation, engineering experience will supersede GPA as a requirement for hire.
- 3.0/4.0 minimum cumulative GPA for Bachelor degree
- 3.3/4.0 minimum cumulative GPA for Master degree
- 3.5/4.0 minimum cumulative GPA for PhD
In addition, the applicant must meet the requirements of DOE O 426.2A (i.e., Baccalaureate in engineering or related scientific major, 2 years job-related, and 1-year nuclear experience; or a DOE O 426.2A alternative). DOE 426.2A experience requirements can be satisfied following employment. In the interim, newly hired personnel will not be assigned duties that could impact the safety basis of nuclear facilities. (Ref. DOE O 426.2A)
Preferred Job Requirements
Preferred candidates have demonstrated an ability in developing, implementing, and maintaining safety basis documentation in accordance with 10 CFR 830, Nuclear Safety Management and applicable DOE directives and standards.
Preferred candidates must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Why Y-12?
You get #morethanajob. We encourage employees to achieve a healthy personal balance among home, work and the community. One of the ways we embrace work-life balance is by offering flexible work arrangements that provide alternatives to the traditional workweek, while still meeting business needs. Top talent and personal commitment mean more to our success than any other factors, so we reward our people with the kinds of benefits that make a positive difference in the quality of their lives. Benefits such as: medical plan, prescription drug plan, vision plan, dental plan, employer matched 401(k) savings plan, disability coverage, education reimbursement and many more. Want to stay healthy and fit but hate the cost of a gym membership? Take advantage of one of our onsite workout facilities and eat healthy in our onsite cafeterias. Much more than a workplace, at Y-12, you can build a career that lasts a lifetime.
