Chief Safety Basis Engineer

We are seeking a Chief Safety Basis Engineer to focus on safety basis quality and adequacy for all nuclear facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This role is the senior nuclear safety engineer within ORNL’s Nuclear Facility Safety Division (NFSD), part of the Environment Safety Health & Quality (ESH&Q) Directorate. You will contribute to the safe and efficient operations of the HFIR reactor and non-reactor nuclear facilities across ORNL, demonstrating leadership, communication skills, and a commitment to teamwork and diversity of opinion.

Responsibilities

• Report to the NFSD Director.
• Serve as the chair of the Laboratory Facility Authorization Basis Board (LFABB).
• Provide independent technical reviews of changes to safety basis and technical safety requirement documents for all nuclear facilities at ORNL, as required by the NFSD Director.
• Provide independent technical reviews of all documents associated with the ORNL Unreviewed Safety Question (USQ) process, as required by the NFSD Director.
• Serve as lead safety analyst for emergency response team activation at HFIR reactor.
• Support the NFSD Director in developing strategic and tactical policies affecting the production and maintenance of safety envelopes for all ORNL nuclear facilities.
• Provide technical mentoring to all NFSD nuclear safety staff regarding requirements within 10 CFR 830, various DOE directives, and governing standards for nuclear facility safety.
• Establish technical interface relationships for stakeholders outside NFSD.
• Assist the NFSD Director in resolving issues related to 10 CFR 830 compliance, training NFSD nuclear safety and criticality safety staff, and expanding the capabilities and competence of the division.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.
• Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace.

Requirements

• A BS degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a related engineering discipline with 12 years of experience, or
• A master’s degree in an applicable engineering field with 10 years of experience, or
• A PhD in an applicable engineering field with 7 years of experience.

Years of experience for each education level must have been in a position responsible for complying with the requirements of 10 CFR 830, subpart B.

Qualifications

• Experience managing, leading, and motivating professional staff.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and participate creatively in collaborative teams.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing needs.

Special Requirements

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance, including passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Two letters of recommendation must be submitted with the application.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• 401(k) Retirement Plan and Contributory Pension Plan
• Life Insurance and Disability Benefits
• Generous vacation, holidays, and parental leave
• Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Educational Assistance and Relocation Assistance
• Employee Discounts
• On-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities

About ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals values diverse perspectives and backgrounds, ensuring ORNL is a top choice for employment. We drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges. ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain exceptional talent.