Regulatory Affairs Lead

Requisition Id 14869 

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 Regulatory Affairs Lead who ensures alignment with DOE, NRC, and other regulatory requirements while managing licensing, permitting, and safety basis development 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 Regulatory Affairs Lead will lead interactions with regulatory agencies, coordinate safety and environmental compliance activities, and provide strategic guidance on regulatory issues. The Lead will supervise a team direct report and matrixed staff in safety basis documentation, regulatory strategy, requirements management, probabilistic risk assessment, environment management, hazards analysis, and other relevant fields. Additionally, this position interacts directly with regulatory bodies, develops the 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. Regulatory Compliance & Strategy: 

• Develop and implement regulatory strategies to ensure compliance with DOE, NRC, and other applicable regulations. 

• Ensure adherence to Facility Safety under DOE O 420.1C, Safety in Design under DOE-STD-1189-2016, reactor safety following the General Design Criteria under NRC’s 10 CFR 50 Appendix A as well as other applicable codes and standards. 

• Maintain awareness of evolving regulatory requirements and guidance documents and integrate updates into project processes as appropriate. 

• Coordinate regulatory reviews, approvals, and project milestones. 

• Lead hazards analysis and mitigation activities. 

• Coordinate safety strategy with the Nuclear Facility Safety Division. 

• Lead environmental compliance activities. 

2. Stakeholder & Agency Engagement: 

• Serve as the primary project regulatory liaison with DOE, NRC, state, and other agencies. 

• Facilitate meetings, inspections, and audits with regulatory bodies. 

• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to oversight agencies. 

3. Documentation & Risk Management: 

• Work collaboratively with nuclear safety staff, researchers, and support personnel from across ORNL in the development, review, submittal for approval, and maintenance of safety basis documents, including an amended safety basis for HFIR. 

• Oversee the preparation and submission of regulatory documentation. 

• Maintain accurate records in accordance with regulatory requirements. 

• Identify regulatory risks and develop mitigation strategies. 

• Respond to regulatory inquiries and ensure corrective actions are implemented. 

4. 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 to regulatory affairs personnel. 

• 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. 

5. 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 field with 12+ years, MS with 10+ years, or PhD with 8+ years of relevant experience. 

• Experience in regulatory compliance with a nuclear regulatory body and/or within the nuclear industry. 

• Expertise in DOE and/or NRC regulations, licensing, and safety basis development. 

• Experience in regulatory engagement, audits, and compliance strategies. 

• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. 

 Preferred Qualifications: 

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

• Experience with DOE nuclear facility upgrades and safety analysis. 

• Knowledge of environmental compliance regulations. 

• Familiarity with hazard analysis and risk mitigation strategies. 

Special Requirements:  

• Must be available for domestic and international travel. 

• 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.