Principal Technical Advisor

COMPA Industries; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 138,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

COMPA Industries, Inc. is seeking a Principal Technical Advisor for the Savannah River Site, on-site in Aiken, SC. You will act as the CGD SME, guiding qualification of Safety Class/Safety Significant SSCs and coordinating with DOE and oversight bodies.

This senior role requires broad technical problem-solving, leadership of multi-disciplinary teams, and strategic input on program-level affairs. The position emphasizes safety integration, adherence to technical policies, and collaboration across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a physical science (e.g., chemistry, physics, biology) or engineering (chemical, nuclear, electrical, mechanical) field with 15 to 20 years of experience, preferably in nuclear-related assignments.
• Advanced degree at the Master’s or PhD level is preferred and proportionally reduces the years of experience required.
• Extensive CGD experience including plan development and review for Safety Class / Safety Significant SSCs.

Responsibilities

• Provide CGD subject matter expertise to qualify Safety Class/Safety Significant SSCs.
• Develop and review CGD plans and advise on SSC qualification decisions.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams on complex, high-visibility projects with budget/schedule considerations.

Skills

CGD expertise

Advanced technical knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physical science or engineering

Job description

Location: Aiken, SC (100% on-site)
Pay Rate: $100–$110/hr
Contract: 1-year base with two (2) 1-year option periods
Work Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 6:00 AM–4:30 PM EST (PART-TIME)
Clearance: DOE “Q” (ability to obtain; US citizenship required)

About the Role

We are recruiting on behalf of Savannah River Site (SRS) for a Principal Technical Advisor. In this role you will serve as the Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) subject matter expert supporting the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF) project team, helping qualify Safety Class and Safety Significant (SC/SS) structures, systems, and components (SSCs).
This is a senior advisory position. You will take on broad, program-level technical problems with limited direction, lead multi-disciplinary teams on complex and highly visible work, and represent technical issues to DOE and external oversight organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide Commercial Grade Dedication subject matter expertise to the SRPPF project team in qualifying applicable Safety Class and Safety Significant SSCs.
• Develop and review CGD plans, advise on SSC qualification decisions, and participate in project meetings.
• Establish cost-effective technical solutions to issues created by changing requirements, and define and conduct technical investigations where appropriate.
• Assess atypical and unusually complex technical issues, and provide expert guidance on problem resolution affecting program operations, site policies, and strategic planning.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams on complex, high-visibility project work involving budget, schedule, or regulatory compliance issues, including engaging consultants and outside experts when needed.
• Define the scope of new project work and changing technical program requirements.
• Work independently to ensure adherence to technical policies and guidelines, and consult with management and staff on corrective action plans.
• Represent technical issues to internal and external customers, including DOE-SR, DOE-HQ, oversight panels, and boards, and manage related correspondence.
• Propose strategic goals and milestones for technical issues within your expertise, and develop strategic plans for new program areas.
• Provide technical and operational input to Authorization Basis documents, technical reports, program-level procedures, and support organizations such as Training and Procedures.
• Manage special projects involving multiple divisions, departments, or organizations, and contribute to programmatic improvement initiatives.
• Stay current on emerging technologies and serve as a resource for advanced technical theories, principles, and concepts.
• Make safety part of every task, follow safety rules and training requirements, and stop work when continuing would be unsafe.

Required Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a physical science (e.g., chemistry, physics, biology) or engineering (chemical, nuclear, electrical, mechanical) field with 15 to 20 years of experience, preferably in nuclear-related assignments, including direct operations management. Some assignments in this job family require a major in statistics, math, or computer science, along with substantial practical experience. An advanced degree at the Master’s or PhD level is preferred and proportionally reduces the years of experience required.

Top Skills & Requirements

• Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) expertise, including CGD plan development and review for Safety Class / Safety Significant SSCs.
• Advanced knowledge of such subjects as analytical chemistry, radiochemistry, non-destructive examination techniques, reactor physics, statistics, or plant operations

Security Clearance

Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” security clearance. An active DOE clearance is not initially required to perform assigned duties; after award, the selected candidate will be notified when to apply for a clearance based on specific work assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on experience with computers and various types of software, a knowledge of the administrative systems, and previous assignments in facility operations and maintenance, engineering, or business-type functions, such as finance, operational and/or program/project planning/scheduling, information resources, or procurement operations.
  Substantive management experience in these or related fields.
  Knowledge of experimental design and project management.

Duration: 1-year base contract with one (1) additional 1-year option period. Option periods are not guaranteed and are executed at the discretion of the hiring manager.
Estimated Hours: Part-time, up to 35 hours per week (approximately 1,820 straight time hours per year). No overtime.
Work Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 AM–5:30 PM.
Work Arrangement: On-site at Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC. Local candidates, or candidates willing to relocate at their own expense.

Why Work at COMPA Industries?

We strive to provide careers, not just jobs, for our employees. We invest in and serve the communities where we work and live. We provide best-in-class administrative, professional, and technical services to solve complex problems to meet customer mission-critical objectives.

For over 30 years, Compa has been a trusted partner in progress. We combine decades of technical expertise with a forward-thinking spirit, tackling intricate challenges in nuclear facilities alongside the brightest minds in science and engineering. Join us, and don’t just build your career, build the future, with competitive compensation, a collaborative culture, and the chance to make a real difference for national security and beyond.

COMPA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected status.