Experiment Project Engineer

UT-Battelle; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

UT-Battelle seeks an Experiment Project Engineer to perform analysis, approval, and coordination of in-vessel and gamma irradiations at ORNL HFIR. You will work with the experiment design and QA teams, reactor operators, and transportation groups to ensure safe, compliant operations.

The role requires a BS in mechanical, nuclear, or aerospace engineering with 5+ years in a nuclear setting; MS/PhD is preferred. Onsite with potential hybrid arrangements in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Qualifications

• Requires a BS degree in mechanical, nuclear, or aerospace engineering with at least five years in a nuclear environment.
• Fundamental understanding of nuclear physics, materials science, and nuclear processes for isotope production.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate irradiation experiments with Experiment Task Leaders and Principal Investigators; ensure compliance with HFIR safety requirements.
• Review experiment documentation for nuclear and safety concerns; authorize insertion of experiments into the reactor.
• Consult on experiment design, engineering calculations, and fabrication of experiment targets.

Skills

Five+ years nuclear experience

Nuclear physics knowledge

Experiment coordination

Safety analysis

Dose estimation

Education

BS in mechanical/nuclear/aerospace engineering

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

EXSITE planning platform

HFIR operations knowledge

USQ process familiarity

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an Experiment Project Engineer who will perform a diverse set of activities related to analysis, approval, and coordination of in-vessel and gamma irradiations at the Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). These will largely include experiments related to materials science and isotope production to support key ORNL objectives. In this role, you will interact and interface with the experiment design and analysis team(s) associated with proposed samples, quality assurance specialists, RRD support personnel, reactor operators, and ORNL transportation-related organizations. If needed in the future, acquisition of certificate for transport of hazardous materials may be required.

This position resides in the Experiments and R&D Programs Group in the Nuclear Safety and Experiment Analysis Section of Research Reactors Division, part of the Neutron Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Major Duties / Responsibilities

Experiment Coordination and Safety Analysis:

• Work closely with Experiment Task Leaders and Principal Investigators to understand their irradiation needs and guide them in the process of preparing for and carrying out irradiation experiments. This includes providing feasibility evaluations of prospective in-vessel and gamma irradiation experiments with the responsibility and authority to guide experimenters to compliance with HFIR safety requirements.
• Provide review of experimenter documentation addressing nuclear and experiment safety or programmatic concerns with in-core and gamma irradiation experiments, including evaluation through the Unreviewed Safety Question (USQ) process; ultimately providing final authorization for insertion of experiments into the reactor.
• Provide consultation for experiment design, engineering, calculation review, fabrication of experiment targets supporting ORNL isotope production program and materials science efforts.
• Interact frequently with scientists and engineers of various disciplines both inside and outside ORNL.
• Plan experiment loading configurations and develop instructions for HFIR Operator use to install them.
• Perform dose estimates to support safe transportation and handling of experiments irradiated in the reactor.

Experiment Shipping And Transportation Support (potentially Encountered)

• Support experiment shipping activities. This could include evaluations of post-irradiation activity levels, isotopic content, review of shipping authorization documents, and coordinating cask loading and unloading operations. Learning will be facilitated by requisite training and working closely with experienced HFIR Experiment and Fuel Transportation Subject Matter Expert.

Experiment Facilities Support

• Work with RRD Experiments and R&D Program staff, RRD Systems Engineering, and other RRD Nuclear Safety staff to evaluate the existing facilities’ performance and develop corrective maintenance solutions for operability issues as well as conceptualize new facilities or improvements to existing facilities that meet experimenter needs.
• Participate in HFIR experiment facility health monitoring activities and reporting.
• Work with HFIR Operations to prepare instructions for installing, adjusting, and removing experiments.
• Gain expertise using the EXSITE experiment planning, coordination, and resource platform.

Basic Qualifications

• A BS degree in mechanical, nuclear, or aerospace or similar engineering field with at least five years of experience in a nuclear environment such as a nuclear power plant, research reactor or other nuclear facility.
• Fundamental understanding of nuclear physics, materials science, and nuclear processes for isotope production.

Preferred Qualifications

• A relevant MS degree or PhD
• Experience with experiments at a research reactor
• Current Q or L Clearance
• Significant experience with coordinating transportation of irradiated isotope and or materials experiments on a DOE site
• DOT hazardous material transportation certification or willingness to obtain
• Ability to review and understand neutronics and or thermal calculations for acceptance

Special Requirements

• 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.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

About ORNL

We offer competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain hardworking people! The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

This position is located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and requires onsite presence. We offer a flexible work environment that supports both the organization and the employee. A hybrid/onsite working arrangement may be available with this position, which provides flexibility to work periodically from your home, while reporting onsite to the Oak Ridge, Tennessee location on a weekly and regular basis.

Other benefits include the following: 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, and Employee Discounts. Relocation Assistance is available.

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.