Nuclear Engineer

Job Description

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities: (Knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for this position.)

• Work with designers, analysts, and customers to develop experimental requirements or to develop packaging and handling requirements for spent nuclear fuel.
• Select and widely apply advanced nuclear engineering design principles, theories, and concepts (which may include reactor fuel and packaging). Decompose project objectives into defined and controlled design requirements.
• Use design methodologies, technologies, and processes which are best practice for the technical discipline to develop and define a design, and to validate that the design meets defined requirements.
• Document the design (controlled and approved models, drawings, specifications, design descriptions) to establish conformance with design requirements and applicable codes and standards.
• Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements to ensure technical features important to design functions are maintained.
• Oversee or otherwise ensure that fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement are done in accordance with the design.
• May perform integrated analyses to ensure that experimental requirements and facility safety bases are met.
• May perform integrated analyses to ensure that storage, transportation, and disposal requirements and facility safety bases are met.
• Defend analytical methods and results in management and independent reviews.
• Perform analysis and design tasks supporting project/program interactions with (experiment) sponsors, operations, and engineering organizations to ensure that project related operations are performed in a manner that is consistent with the facility authorization.
• Develop physics-based mathematical models of mechanical, chemical, and electrical systems to support and verify design. Develop and improve models and analysis methods.
• Prepare reports and peer-reviewed publications.
• Represent programs, the Laboratory, and the Division/Department through programmatic and technical presentations to the public, and to the sponsors and peers at conferences and symposia.
• Participate in professional development activities aimed at keeping pace with industry developments and increasing proficiency of applications to irradiation experiments. Maintain familiarity with and technical understanding of codes and standards applicable to the discipline.
• Perform analyses of irradiation experiments conducted in nuclear reactors.
• Conduct research supporting nuclear processes (including fuel qualification efforts and modeling of used accident tolerant, TRISO, molten metal, and ceramic fuel) with a focus on the application of modern performance codes into existing programmatic efforts.
• Support transformational fuel qualification efforts, especially rapid development of fuel performance codes based on accelerated testing platforms.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education, Credentials, and Work Experience:

Required

• Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or directly related engineering degree from a program accredited by ABET.
• Level 4 -Education/Experience: Bachelor's and 9 years. Master's and 6 years. PhD and 4 years.
• Level 5 - Education/Experience: Bachelor's and 14 years. Master's and 8 years. PhD and 6 years.
• Relevant experience commensurate with level.
• Depending on the assigned directorate, may be required to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance.
• Must have substantial experience working abroad and with foreign governments.
• Prior experience or familiarity with International Safeguards and international experience is highly desired. Strong communication skills and the ability to foster and grow in a team environment is a must.
• Must have experience working with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• Must be a US Citizen and have a DOE "L" or "Q" clearance, or have a government equivalent.

Preferred

• Advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or directly related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information:

• Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of Idaho Falls, Idaho facility, with every other Friday off.
• The pay range for this position is: Level 4 ($114,360 - $234,336) / Level 5 ($137,076 - $281,196). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.

Working Conditions:

Incumbent of the position performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls with laboratory field work subjected to variable weather. The noise level is generally moderate. Periodic travel required in normal course of job performance. Position may include exposure to mechanical, electrical, pressure, temperature, and other potential hazards. Necessary safety equipment may be required including personal protective equipment (PPE) when required. Periodic safety training is necessary. Position may be required to work irregular hours of more than 8 hours/day and working alone.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Security and Privacy Language :
This position includes information security and privacy responsibilities as defined by NIST SP 800 53, OMB Circular A 130, and DOE Order 206.1A. Position must complete initial and annual role-specific training as required. The incumbent must sign and comply with all required access agreements prior to being granted access to organizational systems or data. Comply with all applicable information security and privacy policies and procedures by following established protocols, with an understanding that non-compliance may result in sanctions.


Level Definers

EX4 - Senior:

• Knowledge: Technical leader with a high degree of knowledge in the overall field and recognized expertise in specific areas. Has wide-ranging experience. Uses professional concepts and company objectives to solve complex issues in creative and effective ways. Interfaces with and mentor junior staff.
• Problem Solving: Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
• Discretion and Latitude: Work is performed without appreciable direction. Determines methods and procedures on new assignments and may coordinate activities of other personnel (Lead). Exercises considerable latitude in determining objectives of assignment.
• Impacts: Guides the successful completion of major programs and may function in a project leadership role. Erroneous decisions or recommendations would typically result in failure to achieve organizational objectives.
• Liaison: Represents organization as prime contact on projects or work. Interacts with senior internal personnel on significant matters often requiring coordination between organizations. Networks with key contacts outside own area or expertise.
• Education/Experience: Bachelor's and 9 years. Master's and 6 years. PhD and 4 years.

EX5 - Expert (Barriers to entry such as Charters and committees exist at this level):

• Knowledge: Recognized organization-wide expert. Has broad expertise or unique knowledge. Uses skills to contribute to development of company objectives and principles and to achieve goals in creative and effective ways. Interfaces with and mentor junior staff and some senior staff.
• Problem Solving: Works on significant and unique issues and provides solutions which are highly innovative and ingenious and where analysis requires evaluation of intangibles.
• Discretion and Latitude: Acts independently or works under consultative direction toward predetermined long-range goals and objectives. Assignments are often self-initiated. Determines and pursues courses of action necessary to obtain desired results. Work reviewed through consultation and/or agreement with others rather than by formal review of superior.
• Impacts: Develops advanced ideas and guides their development. Erroneous decisions or recommendations would typically result in failure to achieve critical organizational objectives.
• Liaison: May serve as organizational spokesperson on advanced projects and/or programs. Acts as advisor to management and customers. Creates formal networks involving coordination among groups.
• Education/Experience: Bachelor's and 14 years. Master's and 8 years. PhD and 6 years.