Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer

RSI; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

RSI in South Carolina seeks a Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer to join our safety basis team. You will evaluate operations, perform complex modeling, and establish controls to prevent accidental chain reactions.

Responsibilities include developing NCSEs, reviewing safety analyses under 10 CFR 830, and performing criticality calculations with SCALE, MCNP, KENO, MONK. Collaboration with DOE/NNSA and project teams is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field (Nuclear/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering, Physics).
• 15+ years of criticality analysis with DOE facilities or equivalent.
• Strong written and verbal communication for technical documentation.
• Ability to work independently in highly regulated environments.
• Knowledge of DOE O 420.1C, 10 CFR 830, DOE-STD-3007, and ANSI/ANS-8.

Responsibilities

• Develop, review, and maintain NCSEs and supporting analyses.
• Review safety analyses and criticality safety activities per 10 CFR 830.
• Develop CSEs, DACs, and related NCS documentation.
• Complete required NCS annual Operational Reviews.
• Perform criticality calculations using SCALE, MCNP, KENO, MONK.
• Interface with DOE/NNSA, contractors, and regulatory stakeholders.

Skills

Written and verbal communication

Independent work

Critical thinking

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or related

Tools

SCALE

MCNP

KENO

MONK

Job description

RSI provides full-service environmental and nuclear solutions supporting clients through all phases of cleanup, nuclear operations and security, and facility lifecycle management. Built on a strong foundation of collaboration and a people-first culture, RSI delivers safe, technically sound solutions that help clients achieve mission success in some of the nation's most complex environments.

RSI is part of the ASRC Industrial Services family of companies unified by purpose to deliver safe, reliable solutions to our clients’ unique challenges. We are committed to providing technically superior service, adding value at every stage, and leaving things better than we found them.

Title: Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) Engineer

Job Summary

We are seeking a qualified Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) Engineer to join our nuclear safety basis team. In this role, you will play a vital part in ensuring the safe handling, storage, transportation, and processing of fissile materials. You will be responsible for evaluating facility operations, performing complex computer modeling, and establishing engineering controls to ensure compliance with the double-contingency principle and prevent accidental nuclear chain reactions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, review, and maintain Nuclear Criticality Safety Evaluations (NCSEs) and supporting technical analyses.
• Assist with reviewing safety document reviews and project activities including Safety Analysis and Criticality Safety activities in compliance with 10 CFR 830, and associated implementing documents.
• Development, revision, and review of Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) documentation such as Criticality Safety Evaluations (CSEs), Nuclear Criticality Safety Design Analysis and Calculations (DACs) and various other NCS technical basis documentation:
• Completion of required NCS annual Operational Reviews as needed.
• Daily nuclear facility support as needed, consisting of facility walkdowns, review of NCS requirements implementing documents, participation at facility Operational Safety Boards,
• Assist with interfacing with project engineers and project management coordination with NEPA, and support in the development of Safety in Design Expectations.
• Daily nuclear facility support as needed, consisting of facility walkdowns, review of NCS requirements implementing documents, participation at facility Operational Safety Boards,
• Assist with interfacing with project engineers and project management coordination with NEPA, and support in the development of Safety in Design Expectations.
• Assist with reviewing facility, site characteristics, design of the structure, systems, and components, engineered safety features, instrumentations and control systems, electrical power systems, auxiliary systems, radiation protection program and waste management, conduct of operations, accident analysis, derivation of technical specifications, initial test program and inspections, test, and operational readiness reviews.
• Perform criticality calculations and analyses using industry-standard computational tools (e.g., SCALE, MCNP, KENO, MONK, or equivalent).
• Establish and verify criticality safety limits and controls for facility operations involving fissile and fissionable materials.
• Conduct hazard assessments and support documented safety analyses (DSAs), technical safety requirements (TSRs), and accident analyses.
• Evaluate proposed operational changes for compliance with criticality safety requirements.
• Support facility readiness reviews, operational assessments, and regulatory inspections.
• Investigate abnormal events, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide technical guidance and training to operations personnel regarding criticality safety principles and controls.
• Participate in procedure development, work planning, and operational readiness activities.
• Interface with DOE, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), contractors, and regulatory stakeholders as required.

Requirements and Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Must demonstrate 15 years of experience in criticality analysis including experience developing and issuing Nuclear Criticality Safety Evaluations for DOE Nuclear facilities or equivalent commercial nuclear facilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare technical documentation and present findings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a highly regulated environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of DOE O 420.1C Facility Safety, 10 CFR 830 Nuclear Safety Management, DOE-STD-3007 Criticality Safety Evaluations, and applicable ANSI/ANS-8 nuclear criticality safety standards."
• Possess or has the ability to obtain a DOE/NNSA “Q” Clearance

Preferred Requirements and Education:

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Nuclear Engineering or related field.
• Experience supporting DOE, NNSA, naval nuclear propulsion, commercial nuclear power, defense nuclear facilities, or fuel cycle operations.
• Proficiency with criticality safety software such as SCALE, MCNP, KENO, or MONK.
• Familiarity with DOE Orders, ANSI/ANS criticality safety standards, and nuclear safety requirements.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
• Active DOE Q Clearance, Top Secret clearance, or equivalent.
• Experience at the Savannah River Site is a plus

Clearance and Health Regiments

• Criminal Background Check

EEO Statement

RSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.