Chief Safety Basis Engineer

UT-Battelle; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

401(k) Retirement Plan

Disability benefits

Life Insurance

Relocation Assistance

Wellness Programs

Educational Assistance

Parental Leave

Employee Discounts

Job summary

UT-Battelle, operator of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), seeks a Chief Safety Basis Engineer to lead safety basis quality and adequacy across ORNL nuclear facilities, including HFIR. The role requires strong leadership, cross-disciplinary coordination, and deep knowledge of 10 CFR 830 compliance.

You will chair LFABB and drive independent technical reviews under NFSD. The successful candidate will mentor NFSD staff, develop strategic safety policies, and ensure alignment with ORNL’s safety

Qualifications

• BS degree with 12 years of experience in complying with 10 CFR 830, subpart B.
• MS with 10 years of experience in a relevant engineering field.
• PhD with 7 years of experience in a relevant engineering field.

Responsibilities

• Chair LFABB and report to NFSD Director.
• Provide independent technical reviews of safety basis and TS documents.
• Oversee USQ process reviews for ORNL facilities.
• Lead emergency response analysis for HFIR and other facilities.
• Mentor NFSD staff on DOE directives and 10 CFR 830 compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Nuclear safety

Safety basis

Technical reviews

Stakeholder relations

Communication skills

Mentoring

10 CFR 830 familiarity

Education

BS in engineering (nuclear/mechanical/electrical/etc)

MS in engineering

PhD in engineering

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Chief Safety Basis Engineer who will primarily focus on safety basis quality and adequacy for all nuclear facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The Chief Safety Basis Engineer is the senior nuclear safety engineer within ORNL’s Nuclear Facility Safety Division (NFSD). Nuclear Facilities Safety Division resides in the Environment Safety Health & Quality (ESH&Q) Directorate at ORNL.

As part of our team, you will be given the opportunity to grow in leadership while contributing to the team environment to accomplish the tasks needed to support safe and efficient operations of the HFIR reactor and non-reactor nuclear facilities across the ORNL compass. The successful candidate must be a leader with the ability to communicate with various levels of management and engineering disciplines, build team cohesion, and one who values diversity of opinion, education, and experiences.

Major Duties/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 that affect the production and maintenance of safety envelopes for all ORNL nuclear facilities.
• Provide technical mentoring to all NFSD nuclear safety staff with regards to 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, expanding the capabilities and competence of the division.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing, leading, and motivating professional staff.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• 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

• Visa Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Q clearance: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

About ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

• Prescription Drug Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Contributory Pension Plan
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Generous Vacation and Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Educational Assistance
• Relocation Assistance
• Employee Discounts

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.