Laboratory Sampling Section Technician (Trainee Nuclear Material Accountant)

Westinghouse Electric Company LLC; Preston; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Springfields Fuels Ltd is seeking a Laboratory Sampling Section Technician (Trainee Nuclear Material Accountant) at the Nuclear Fuel Site. The role focuses on handling materials, data traceability, and gaining expertise toward becoming a Nuclear Material Accountant within a regulated laboratory environment.

You will join the sampling section and work under the Operations Manager, with a tailored training pathway to build expertise in nuclear material accounting and compliance.

Qualifications

• Background in science, engineering, or laboratory operations.
• High level of accuracy in data handling.
• Experience in strict compliance and procedural environments.
• Experience in a regulated or nuclear environment.
• Knowledge of laboratory sampling techniques or QC analytical processes.
• Understanding of nuclear material interactions.
• Understanding of quality management systems (ISO standards).
• Interest in developing a career in nuclear safeguards or material accountancy.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and non-routine acceptance of nuclear materials into the department from plant activities following strict procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Control the receipt and verification of external samples from worldwide suppliers.
• Prepare and dispatch samples internally for analytical testing, maintaining full traceability.
• Prepare and dispatch samples for external comparison analysis, maintaining full traceability.
• Accurately record, manage, and verify data to support a nuclear material accountancy system.
• Prepare, manage and support the department as part of the site's annual Physical Inventory Verification exercise.
• Control material disposal, from department working with site operations to ensure efficient material recovery and safe transfer.
• Maintain compliance with all safety, security, and environmental regulations.
• Assist in the development and improvement of sampling procedures and documentation.
• Work closely with analysts, operations, and accountancy teams to ensure robust material tracking.
• Progress through structured training towards Nuclear Material Accountant competency.

Skills

Science background

Data accuracy

Compliance experience

Nuclear environment

Lab sampling techniques

Quality management ISO

Nuclear material interactions

Career in nuclear safeguards

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Laboratory Sampling Section Technician (Trainee Nuclear Material Accountant)

Requisition Number: 33279

Company: Springfields Fuels Ltd

Location: Salwick Preston, GB

Welcome to the future of nuclear energy, where Westinghouse Electric Company is leading the field with expertise and innovation to shape the power of tomorrow.

At Westinghouse, innovation is in our DNA. We are creative. We think differently. We reimagine the possible across the nuclear industry every day.

We are seeking a person to join our analytical team within the sampling section. The sampling section is responsible for the handling of material throughout the life cycle in the Chemical & Metallurgical Services Department. This role offers a unique development pathway, with the successful candidate working towards becoming a Nuclear Material Accountant (NMA)and Process Owner of the Chemical Services Sampling Section once they have gained the required knowledge and understanding of a complex system.

As a Laboratory Sampling Section Technician you will play a vital part in supporting nuclear material control, and criticality control using data and theoretical models. While helping the department deliver quality assurance of its process and products by carrying out sample receipt, distribution, and disposal. All of this within a highly regulated nuclear laboratory environment.

Dependent on successful applicant, a full training pathway will be developed to ensure a clear path to subject matter expert. This training will be tailored to the individual around their previous experience and skills.

You will report to the Operations Manager and be located at Nuclear Fuel Site.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform routine and non-routine acceptance ofnuclear materials into the department from plant activities following strict procedures and regulatory requirements
• Control the receipt and verification of external samples from worldwide suppliers
• Prepare and dispatch samples internally for analytical testing, maintaining full traceability
• Prepare and dispatch samples for external comparison analysis, maintaining full traceability
• Accurately record, manage, and verify data to support a nuclear material accountancy systembothinternally in the Laboratory Information management system, and externally in the sites Nuclear Uranium Management system.
• Prepare, manage and support the department as part of the site's annual Physical Inventory Verification exercise. Working with the site's material accountants and external assessors
• Control material disposal, from department working with site operations to ensure efficient material recovery and safe transfer.
• Maintain compliance with all safety, security, and environmental regulations
• Assist in the development and improvement of sampling procedures and documentation
• Work closely with analysts, operations, and accountancy teams to ensure robust material tracking
• Progress through structured training towards Nuclear Material Accountant competency

Qualifications:

• Background in science, engineering, or laboratory operations (e.g. chemistry, physics, or similar)
• High level of accuracy in data handling
• Experience working within strict compliance and procedural environments
• Experience in a regulated or nuclear environment
• Knowledge of laboratory sampling techniques or quality control analytical processes
• Understanding of nuclear material interactions
• Understanding of quality management systems (e.g. ISO standards)
• Interest in developing a career in nuclear safeguards or material accountancy

This role is designed as a career pathway into Nuclear Material Accountancy, including:

• Structured training in nuclear materials management and regulatory compliance
• Exposure to safeguards reporting and accountability systems
• Criticality Control management
• Mentorship from experienced Nuclear Material Accountants

#LI-Onsite

Why Westinghouse?

We know that to put forth your best effort, you need to be challenged and enjoy what you do in a supportive and respectful environment. We aim to maintain this balance by offering our employees the amenities, benefits and training they need to reach personal and professional goals.

Below is an example of what employees in the UK can expect:

• Attractive remuneration
• Great benefits for your convenience and safety:
  • Peer-to-peer recognition program.
  • Life insurance
  • Pension plan
  • Employee Assistance Program: confidential counseling and resources for employees, eligible dependents, and household members
• Learning and development opportunities.
• We encourage our employees to participate in community service events and other team-building activities to strengthen their bonds and inspire each other.

Westinghouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

Employment opportunities may require access to information which is subject to the export control regulations of the United States. Hiring decisions for such positions are required by law to be made in compliance with these regulations. Applicants for employment opportunities in other countries must be able to meet the comparable export control requirements of that country and of the United States.