Director of Deconversion
Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Operations Management
- Develop and implement comprehensive deconversion strategies aligned with production goals and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee daily operations of deconversion processes, ensuring optimal efficiency and safety protocols.
- Manage multi-disciplinary teams including process engineers, safety specialists, and operations technicians.
- Coordinate with enrichment operations to ensure seamless integration of deconversion activities.
Regulatory Compliance & Safety Management
- Ensure full compliance with NRC regulations, and international IAEA standards.
- Maintain current knowledge of evolving nuclear regulatory landscape and implement necessary operational adjustments.
- Develop and oversee implementation of comprehensive safety protocols specific to UF₆ handling and deconverted products.
- Engage emergency response planning and coordinate with site emergency management teams.
Technical & Process Excellence
- Optimize deconversion process parameters to maximize uranium oxide recovery while minimizing waste generation.
- Implement advanced process monitoring and control systems for real-time optimization.
- Collaborating with R&D teams on process improvements and technology advancement initiatives
- Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposition of uranium products, including U₃O₈ and anhydrous HF.
Education & Experience
- Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field; Ph.D. preferred.
- Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in nuclear fuel cycle operations.
- At least 8 years of senior management experience in nuclear facilities.
- Demonstrated experience with uranium hexafluoride processing and handling.Technical Expertise
Technical Expertise
- Comprehensive understanding of uranium deconversion processes, thermodynamics, and chemical engineering principles.
- Expert knowledge of nuclear criticality safety, radiation protection, and ALARA principles.
- Proficiency in process control systems, SCADA systems, and advanced analytics platforms.
- Prefer familiarity with laser isotope separation technology and its integration with deconversion operations.
Regulatory & Security Requirements
- Active DOE Q-level security clearance or ability to obtain within 12 months.
- Demonstrated history of successful regulatory inspections and license renewals.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in Nuclear or Chemical Engineering.
- Previous experience with advanced uranium enrichment technologies.
- Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent process improvement certification.
- Experience with international nuclear safeguards and IAEA protocols.
- Published research in nuclear fuel cycle or uranium processing technologies.
Working Conditions
- Onsite role – Oak Ridge, TN.
- Monday – Friday, Full Time; Occasional overtime is expected for ensuring deliverables.
- Ability to perform field work (stand, walk, climb stairs/ladders, don PPE, lift to ~30–50 lbs. occasionally).
- Periodic off-hours support for emergencies, outages, audits, or commissioning.
- Limited travel (<10–15%) to vendor, regulatory, or partner sites.
Benefits
- Competitive salary (based on experience – starting range $200,000 annually), potential stock options and performance incentives
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), disability and life
- Paid time off, paid holidays and professional development support
- Relocation assistance available
