Senior Materials Engineer

Summary This position is located in Division of Engineering and Risk Analysis. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within the agency. The supervisor is Meraj Rahimi This position is subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements. This position is subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements. Responsibilities The successful candidate will perform the full range of duties such as plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and conducts assigned research associated with chemistry and, in particular, nuclear chemistry aspects of metallurgy, materials behavior, irradiation effects, environmental effects, and/or structural integrity of NRC-licensed facility components. Provides technical assessments of exceptionally complex chemistry related aspects of materials engineering in nuclear power plant systems needed for safe operation and safe shutdown of nuclear facilities subject to the NRC Regulatory programs. Manages and performs studies and analyses of complex technical issues within the Branch's area of review, including chemistry aspects of materials degradation, water chemistry, fuel oil, neutron absorbing material and coatings for nuclear power plants and chemistry related materials issues for spent-fuel storage and transportation systems and components. The purpose of such research is to support the technical bases for NRC licensing decisions. Provides specialized technical assistance and advice to other Divisions and Offices. Such duties include but are not limited to: Provides primary management and technical direction for the assigned research and development program activities related to metallurgy, materials behavior, irradiation effects, environmental effects, fracture mechanics, and structural integrity of the reactor primary system. Bears primary responsibility for the development of technical criteria, regulations, and regulatory guides associated with the materials engineering aspects of the safe design, construction, and operation of light water reactors. Performs technical reviews of national and international codes and standards related to the assigned areas. Maintains a liaison with appropriate organizational components of the NRC in order to keep them informed of plans and programs in the assigned functional areas. Coordinates and leads ACRS, CRGR, and NSRRC presentations related to assiqned functional areas. Develops objectives and plans for programs on metallurgy, materials behavior, irradiation effects, environmental effects, fracture mechanics, and structural integrity of the reactor systems as they relate to safety analysis and interpretation of primary and secondary system performance to be expected during the plant license period. Prepares recommendations on the nature and extent of the research to be undertaken, considering among other matters: current level of scientific knowledge regarding the problem, issues, and concerns as developed in discussions, reports, and recommendations of licensing staff, NRC advisory boards, research laboratories, related federal agencies (i.e., DOE, DOD, etc.), and others having an interest in the research effort; relative urgency of the effort considering previous efforts, proposed milestones, and availability of equipment and facilities; staff situation within immediate office and available professionals with appropriate disciplines; and availability of appropriated funds for the current fiscal year and prospects for subsequent fiscal years if project has extended duration. Prepares work schedules, scope of work, milestones, etc. Reviews and evaluates plans and proposals submitted by laboratories for undertaking a research effort under contract. Evaluates the proposal and laboratory, considering past record of performance, capabilities of staff, nature of equipment and facilities, and contract terms. Recommends program scope and awarding of contract Manages and coordinates work of the contract laboratory personnel in the accomplishment of their respective assignments. Reviews results of research and experimental verification tests to assess progress and to assure the focus of such work is applicable to licensing needs. Reviews and evaluates contractor accomplishments, milestones, adjustments needed in equipment, staff, or facilities, and usefulness of data. Based on such reviews and evaluations, prepares recommendations for project changes, new directions, and new milestones, consistent with the overall program objectives. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. All information in your resume must be true and accurate. Conditions of Employment: This is a Drug Testing position Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements. Qualifications In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: Experience that demonstrates a knowledge of the design, construction, operation, inspection, and/or evaluation of nuclear plant materials, components, structures, and/or facilities The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following: Demonstrated knowledge of the design, construction, operation, inspection, and evaluation of nuclear plant components, structures, and facilities to understand the value and impact of the requirements of proposed standards. Demonstrated knowledge of NRC's regulations, principles and procedures, regulatory guides, and industry codes and standards applicable to the integrity of components and structures used in nuclear power plants and/or spent fuel storage facilities. Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and control complex engineering research projects. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a broad range of audiences on technical issues, challenges, and resolutions. PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Education Qualification for 0806 series: Basic Requirements: Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.) More detailed information about these alternatives are described in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards Operating Manual which may be accessed at the following website: You must include an unofficial or official copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application. Transcript must include the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). Education must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you have multiple degrees (e.g., BS, MS, PhD) please submit transcripts for each degree. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. Additional Information This position may be eligible for telework in accordance with agency policy. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.