Nuclear Security Engagement Associate

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory seeks a Nuclear Security Engagement Associate to support DOE/NNSA missions related to the secure transport of nuclear and radioactive materials. The role blends planning, technical analysis, and program coordination to strengthen safe transport practices and security frameworks across federal and international partners.

The successful candidate will contribute to security planning, risk evaluation, and development of solutions, collaborating with multiple

Responsibilities

• Support planning and program implementation activities for safe/trans‑port of nuclear and radioactive materials.
• Contribute to transportation security analyses, including operations, safety, risk, and regulatory needs.
• Coordinate security activities with DOE, NNSA, other federal agencies, labs, and partners.
• Develop and implement transportation security strategies, plans, procedures, and technical approaches.
• Assist with planning/execution of exercises, workshops, technical exchanges, and meetings.
• Evaluate security challenges and propose practical, cross‑cutting solutions.
• Support technical assessments related to nuclear/radioactive material transport.
• Collaborate with ORNL directorates to support security program objectives.
• Provide reporting and milestone support using ORNL sponsor management systems.
• Manage small projects including scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables.
• Coordinate vendor activities and monitor performance per requirements.
• Draft technical reports, assessments, briefings, and decision-support materials.
• Deliver technical briefings and presentations to DOE/NNSA/ORNL partners.
• Promote ORNL values (Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, Service) and equal opportunity.

Job description

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The Transportation Security Engineering and Analysis Group within the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division (NND) at ORNL seeks applications for a Nuclear Security Engagement Associate who will support U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) missions related to the safe and secure transportation of nuclear and radioactive materials. As part of our team, you will apply critical thinking, technical analysis, program coordination, and project management skills to address complex transportation security challenges.

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Division (NND) performs a wide range of scientific, technical, and programmatic activities in all facets of the global nuclear enterprise from nonproliferation project support and management to research and development (R&D) pertaining to nuclear materials processing, nuclear safeguards and security, security program management, and transportation security of radioactive materials.

The successful candidate will support domestic and international transportation security activities involving nuclear and radioactive materials. The position will contribute to transportation planning, security analysis, program implementation, technical coordination, and the development of solutions that strengthen the safe and secure movement of these materials.

ORNL’s NND drives technical scope for federal sponsors related to reducing the risk of nuclear and radiological terrorism globally. ORNL implements its mission through the development of technologies and operational expertise that promote nuclear security objectives to protect the US and its national security interests. As a national laboratory, we provide solutions to domestic and international partners involved in nuclear and radiological material operations to protect assets from theft and sabotage. Work is completed with interactions and engagements with international organizations, government organizations, associations, industry, and academia. To successfully implement this scope, ORNL collaborates with other DOE laboratories and government agencies.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Support planning and program implementation activities that advance the safe and secure transportation of nuclear and radioactive materials for DOE and NNSA missions.
• Support technical and programmatic analyses related to nuclear and radioactive material transportation security, including transportation operations, safety, security, risk, and applicable federal requirements.
• Coordinate transportation security activities with DOE, NNSA, other federal agencies, national laboratories, State and Tribal organizations, industry, academia, and other domestic and international partners.
• Support the development and implementation of transportation security strategies, plans, procedures, and technical approaches.
• Assist with the planning and execution of transportation security exercises, workshops, technical exchanges, meetings, and other program activities.
• Evaluate transportation security challenges and develop practical approaches that integrate technical, operational, policy, safety, and security considerations.
• Support technical assessments associated with the transportation of nuclear and radioactive materials.
• Collaborate with colleagues across ORNL scientific directorates and service organizations to support transportation security program objectives.
• Support DOE and NNSA domestic and international transportation security missions through technical planning, analysis, coordination, and project execution.
• Provide direct support for project milestones, deliverables, and DOE- and NNSA-required reporting using ORNL and sponsor-specific management systems.
• Manage small projects, including scope, schedule, budget, deliverables, and coordination with project team members.
• Support vendor activities, including development of statements of work and monitoring contractor performance in accordance with project requirements and ORNL policies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and monitor progress toward project goals, deliverables, and milestones.
• Develop high-quality technical reports, assessments, project documentation, briefings, decision-support materials, and other technical products supporting transportation security programs.
• Prepare and deliver technical briefings and presentations to DOE, NNSA, ORNL, and partner organizations.
• 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:

• BS in environmental science, public policy, security studies, transportation or logistics, engineering, physical science, or a related technical or policy discipline and two (2) years of relevant experience supporting nuclear or radioactive material transportation, nuclear security, transportation security, or related programs.
• Experience applying interdisciplinary technical, operational, policy, and programmatic approaches to nuclear security, transportation security, nuclear or radioactive material transportation, or related national security missions
• Familiarity with DOE Orders and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations related to nuclear materials storage and transportation and Tribal policy.
• Experience planning or supporting nuclear or radioactive material transportation activities involving federal, State, Tribal, national laboratory, industry, or other partner organizations.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including the ability to coordinate scope, schedule, milestones, deliverables, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Excellent time-management, interpersonal, communication, presentation, organization, and planning skills applied to multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate effectively across governmental, national laboratory, academic, Tribal, industry, and other partner organizations
• Must be reliable; self-motivated; focused on innovative, high-quality work products and processes; and able to prioritize goals and meet milestones independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research team environment.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to build positive working relationships that position ORNL to expand transportation security and nuclear security activities for sponsors within the National Security Sciences Directorate.
• Experience communicating complex technical concepts, particularly controversial ones, to multiple audiences with different abilities and motivations to understand the material.
• Project Management training or certifications.
• Ability to identify the underlying motivations/goals of diverse partners and experience connecting those diverse groups to support common goals.

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.

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 andretainindividuals whodemonstrateexceptional work behaviors. The laboratoryprovidesa 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.

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, Relocation Assistance, and 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.