Production Design Engineer

About the role

PNNL is seeking an experienced nuclear professional to support the Tritium Technology Program Production Design task. The Production Design (PD) task is a large, multifaceted task that ensures Tritium Producing Burnable Absorber Rods (TPBARs) are always ready and safe for irradiation in commercial nuclear reactors through NQA-1 level.

Responsibilities

• Successfully organize and execute TPBAR PD program activities
• Act as a delegate for the PD task manager as required
• Additional PD leadership responsibilities, as assigned

Production Design Task Responsibilities Include

• Maintaining and improving the TPBAR design
• Keeping a trained, certified PNNL workforce ready to support the TPBAR
• Updating a suite of calculations that demonstrate the TPBAR matches functional and design requirements
• Creating and maintaining the package of TPBAR drawings and component specifications that are used by a variety of manufacturers to build components
• Maintaining and improving the TPBAR component specifications ranging from raw material characteristics to mechanical property requirements
• Preparing experimental test plans to verify and improve the TPBAR design
• Working with vendors, fabricators, and commercial reactor staff to meet program needs
• Communicating effectively between TPBAR stakeholders, including commercial nuclear reactor staff that irradiate TPBARs, manufacturers that supply components for TPBAR fabrication, the fuel vendor supplying the reactor, key TTP staff at PNNL, the Tritium Technology Program (TTP) leadership at PNNL, and the sponsor, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Assuring the accuracy and quality of the analytic methods going into PD analysis including nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, manufacturing engineering, thermal hydraulics, and safety analysis including Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) analysis
• Developing a comprehensive awareness of historical Post Irradiation Examination (PIE) and test activities, results, and conclusions
• Attending meetings and traveling, including weekly TTP management meetings, traveling to NNSA-sponsored meetings, and traveling to TTP partners such as the reactor, fuel vendor, and manufacturers

Requirements

• BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant experience -OR- MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant experience -OR- PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience
• Significant experience with nuclear engineering, manufacturing, and materials

Qualifications

• Must be onsite at the Richland PNNL campus; remote work is not supported for this position

Additional Information

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance
• The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.