Nuclear Reactor Analysis Lead

Requisition Id 14871 

Overview:    

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on groundbreaking neutron-based research and isotope production with a uniquely powerful nuclear reactor? Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Nuclear Reactor Analysis Lead who is responsible for leading reactor design and safety analysis, conducting technical evaluations, and leading engineering design reviews in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) Upgrades Project Office (HUPO). HFIR is a light-water cooled and moderated research reactor that began full-power operations in 1966 at the design power level of 100 megawatts. Currently, as the most powerful continuously operating neutron source in the United Stated, HFIR operates at 85 megawatts providing state-of-the-art facilities for neutron scattering, materials irradiation, and neutron activation analysis. It is the world's leading source of elements heavier than plutonium for research, medicine, and industrial applications. You'll play a crucial role in initiatives like the $200+ Million HFIR Beryllium Reflector Replacement (HBRR) and the $700+ Million Reactor Pressure Vessel Replacement (PVR). With the PVR project, ORNL will restore HFIR to 100 MW for full power operations, implement design enhancements for further improve neutron science capabilities, and apply state-of-the-art tools to modernize the safety basis with best estimate plus uncertainty analysis.  

The Nuclear Reactor Analysis Lead ensures reactor performance meets operational objectives while maintaining full compliance with nuclear safety regulations. This role will supervise a team of direct report and matrixed engineers in fields such as reactor physics, radiation shielding, thermal hydraulics, and reactor control. Additionally, this position collaborates with regulatory bodies, contributes to safety and compliance documentation, and enforces meticulous quality control measures.  

This position resides in the Nuclear Project Director’s Office in the HFIR Updates Project Office, Neutron Upgrades Project Office, at ORNL. Be part of the future of scientific innovation! Join us at nation's most powerful continuous neutron research facility to drive scientific competitiveness and unlock groundbreaking opportunities for the country. 

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:   

1. Reactor Performance & Safety Compliance: 

• Ensure reactor design meets operational and safety objectives with adequate safety margins. 
• Lead safety analysis to ensure compliance with nuclear regulations (e.g., NRC, DOE). 
• Oversee safety analysis execution and documentation across technical areas. 
• Coordinate with regulatory bodies, ensuring clear communication of safety assessments and compliance. 

2. Core Safety & Technical Domains:

• Reactor Physics: Oversee simulation and modeling to maintain operational safety and performance. 
• Radiation Shielding: Lead radiation shielding studies to enhance designs and comply with regulations. 
• Thermal Hydraulics: Ensure high-quality assessments of core cooling, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics. 
• Thermodynamics & Structural Analysis: Supervise assessments of heat transfer, reactor structural integrity, and seismic resilience. 
• Reactor Dynamics: Lead transient analysis for normal and upset conditions. 
• Severe Accident Analysis: Evaluate potential accident scenarios and assess offsite dose consequences. 
• Nuclear Chemistry: Ensure safe handling and control of reactor materials and coolant systems. 
• Instrumentation, Controls & Electrical Systems: Ensure system redundancy and safety compliance. 

3. Design Reviews & Quality Assurance:

• Lead multidisciplinary design reviews, ensuring safety, functionality, and regulatory compliance. 
• Implement best practices in safety and quality assurance across engineering assessments. 

4. Collaboration & Communication: 

• Work closely with design engineering teams to align safety standards with design requirements. 
• Provide senior management with risk assessments, safety updates, and mitigation strategies. 
• Engage with collaborators and regulatory teams. 

5. Documentation & Regulatory Reporting:

• Oversee development and review of safety analysis reports, technical safety basis documents, and regulatory filings. 
• Ensure all documentation adheres to internal quality control and document assurance protocols. 

6. Training & Knowledge Sharing:

• Provide training on safety methodologies, regulatory requirements, and quality control standards. 
• Share industry standards and emerging trends in nuclear safety and engineering. 

7. Incident Investigation & Risk Management: 

• Lead investigations into safety or quality incidents, ensuring effective corrective actions. 
• Integrate lessons learned to continuously improve safety and risk mitigation strategies. 

8. Compliance & Quality Standards Enforcement 

• Ensure all technical evaluations meet regulatory and quality standards. 
• Support the development and implementation of project-specific quality management systems. 

9. Leadership & Team Management: 

• Develop and lead a team of direct reports as well as matrixed staff. 
• Promote a team approach where individual expertise is recognized and employed. 
• Provide mentoring, training, and oversight for advanced analysis approaches. 
• Foster a culture of compliance and continuous improvement. 
• Facilitate and sustain a strong nuclear safety culture and takes positive actions to address nuclear safety concerns. 

10. Communication: 

• Provide clear and accurate communication to all levels of management, staff, and stakeholders. 
• Develop clear and concise presentation materials that assist in the timely delivery of project messaging. 
• Participate and present project information at reviews, conferences, and workshops. 
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.  

Basic Qualifications: 

• A BS degree in nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related technical field with 12+ years, MS with 10+ years, or PhD with 8+ years of relevant experience. 

• Experience in nuclear reactor safety, design analysis, or related engineering roles. 

• Strong background in nuclear safety analysis, reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, and/or radiation shielding. 

• Experience collaborating with matrixed engineering teams, regulatory bodies, and senior leadership. 

 Preferred Qualifications: 

• An MS or PhD degree in nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related technical field. 

• Five or more years managing technical teams and leading complex engineering assessments. 

• Familiarity with NRC, DOE, and other applicable nuclear safety regulations. 

• Experience with HFIR or other operating reactors. 

• Knowledge of severe accident analysis and mitigation strategies. 

• Knowledge of radioactive material handling and disposal practices. 

Special Requirements:  

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge. 

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. 

Benefits at ORNL:   

We offer competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain hardworking people! The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience. 

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, and Employee Discounts. Relocation Assistance is available for certain positions. 

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov 

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This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.