Spent Fuel Management Manager

ENEC Operations; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 350,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

ENEC Operations is seeking a senior professional to manage the spent fuel management program, including licensing strategy, dry storage technology selection, and regulatory engagement. The role covers design oversight, safety case development, and alignment with UAE policy on spent fuel disposal.

Responsibilities include leading licensing submissions with FANR, coordinating with ENEC Operations and NEBEP, and guiding R&D activities to address technical gaps.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related science field.
• 7+ years in developing spent fuel storage systems or nuclear facility design, licensing and regulatory engagement.
• Experience dealing with nuclear regulatory agencies.
• Master's degree and/or MBA preferred.
• 10+ years in developing spent fuel storage systems, facilities with direct experience in technology/vendor selection/design/safety case and licensing submissions.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement with FANR to develop and implement the licensing strategy for dry storage facilities.
• Define spent fuel storage program scope, schedules, milestones and cost to ensure timely delivery prior to capacity constraints.
• Monitor and manage program performance including licensing, safety and schedule risks.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders to ensure alignment across program elements.
• Provide technical input to ENEC’s long-term spent fuel management strategy and R&D needs.

Skills

Spent fuel management

Regulatory engagement

Project delivery

Licensing

Safety case development

R&D coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Manage the development and execution of the spent fuel management program, including spent fuel storage program, including technology selection, licensing, and facility design, review of associated safety case and assessments and coordination of targeted R&D activities to support development of the program in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Manage the planning and development of Spent Fuel Management Program, specifically for Storage Beyond Current Capacity at Barakah.
• Define spent fuel storage program scope, schedules, milestones and cost to ensure timely delivery prior to spent pool capacity constraints.
• Monitor and manage program performance, including technical, licensing, and schedule risks, ensuring effective mitigation and delivery.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders to ensure alignment and integration across all program elements.
• Support the Radioactive Waste Management and NEBEP Director in continuously updating the spent fuel management Program and Plans, adhering to regulatory and stakeholders’ requirements.
• Provide Spent Fuel Management Program and Plans, along with associated cost estimates, to the Nuclear Energy Back-End Program Plan (NEBEP).

Activity: Spent Fuel Management Licensing, Technology Selection and Procurement

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Lead engagement with FANR to develop and implement the licensing strategy for dry storage facilities.
• Prepare and oversee submission of licensing documentation and coordinate responses to regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate and select appropriate dry storage technologies (e.g., cask systems), ensuring alignment with safety, operational, and lifecycle requirements.
• Support procurement processes, including development of technical specifications, vendor evaluation, and contract technical oversight.
• Provide technical support in development of ENEC Enterprise long and short-term strategies associated with disposal of spent fuel management to align with UAE policy in ultimately dispose of spent fuel.
• Manage projects and initiatives associated with Spent Fuel Disposal to ensure successful execution and compliance.
• Support RWM and NEBEP Director in continuously updating the Spent Fuel Disposal Program and Plans to meet regulatory and stakeholders’ requirements.
• Support RWM and NEBEP Director in defining the impact of the spent fuel management program on the Radioactive Waste Management Organization to ensure strategic alignment.

Activity: Spent Fuel Inventory Management

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Engage with ENEC Operations and define spent fuel inventory, taking into account changes anticipated from the Nuclear Energy Front End and Operations of Barakah NPP.
• Support in providing technical support to concerned functions in understanding the spent fuel management plans and requirements.
• Support in evaluation of spent fuel management steps, including storage and future anticipated disposal techniques.

Activity: Spent Fuel Management Design and Safety Case Review

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Oversee development of conceptual and detailed designs for dry storage facilities, ensuring integration with Barakah site and plant systems.
• Lead the development and review of safety cases and safety assessments in accordance with regulatory and international standards.
• Ensure implementation of applicable engineering, quality, and nuclear safety standards throughout design and execution phases.
• Support construction readiness and implementation, ensuring technical integrity and compliance.
• Implement Engineering and Quality standards to ensure the development of the design of disposal solutions.
• Provide design inputs for the development of applicable safety assessments and the safety case to ensure facility safety.

Activity: Spent Fuel Management Technical Support and R&D Coordination

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Provide technical input to the development of ENEC’s long-term spent fuel management strategy, including future storage and disposal considerations.
• Support evaluation of future pathways and initiatives related to spent fuel management as required.
• Support the identification of targeted R&D needs related to spent fuel storage and future management options to address technical gaps and uncertainties.
• Manage R&D projects associated with Spent Fuel Management in collaboration with the ENEC RND Division to ensure alignment and progress.
• Engage with relevant industry, academic institutions and international organizations to foster research, emerging technologies and best practices in spent fuel management.
• Identifying the need for a R&D initiative to support management and disposal of spent fuel, ensuring proactive development of innovative solutions

Activity: Spent Fuel Management Stakeholder Management, Licensing and Regulatory Requirements

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Lead engagement with FANR on all licensing aspects related to the spent fuel dry storage program, including development and submission of licensing documentation.
• Manage interactions with internal stakeholders, including ENEC Operations, to ensure alignment on program requirements and implementation.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable national regulations, licensing requirements, and international standards for spent fuel storage/management.
• Coordinate and lead the development of responses to regulatory queries and requests, ensuring timely and accurate communication with regulatory authorities.
• Lead initiatives to support the RWM Division Management by interfacing with internal functions to enhance the Spent Fuel Management development, including providing inputs to the Radioactive Waste Management Working Group and the Radioactive Waste Advisory Committee.

Support engagement with relevant external stakeholders and industry partners, where needed, to facilitate program delivery and alignment with best practices.

Education and Experience -

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or other relevant Science Subject
• 7 years in developing spent fuel storage systems or nuclear facility design/engineering, licensing and regulatory engagement and project or program delivery.
• Experience in dealing with nuclear and other regulatory agencies

Preferred;

• Master's degree in engineering field and/or an MBA
• 10+ years in in developing spent fuel storage systems, facilities with direct experience in technology/vendor selection/design/safety case and licensing submissions