Senior Design Authority Engineer – Nuclear Upgrades

Savannah River National Laboratory; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Medical, Dental, Vision

Disability insurance

Life Insurance

AD&D

Savings & Investment plan

Company match 50% up to 8%

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Plan

Job summary

Savannah River National Laboratory in South Carolina seeks a Project Design Authority Engineer to act as the technical authority for facility modifications, ensuring engineering rigor, safety basis alignment, and configuration management across the portfolio.

This role provides technical oversight, supports project execution, and interfaces with facility operations, nuclear safety, and external oversight bodies to resolve complex issues and maintain safety and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Nuclear, Civil, Chemical, or related field).
• Minimum 7–10 years engineering experience, preferably in DOE, nuclear, or highly regulated environments.
• Demonstrated experience as a system engineer, design authority, or safety basis engineer in facility or infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of DOE Orders (e.g., 420.1C, 426.2), nuclear safety management, safety analysis methodologies, and configuration management principles.
• Ability to evaluate complex technical issues, make authoritative engineering decisions, and lead cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to interface effectively with operations, safety, management, and external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Design Authority for assigned systems, facilities, and project scopes, ensuring all modifications comply with engineering standards, safety documentation, design basis requirements, and DOE regulations.
• Review and approve engineering documents, technical reports, calculations, design packages, and configuration management changes.
• Provide technical guidance during project planning, design development, hazard analysis, construction, testing, and turnover.
• Ensure alignment with SRNL’s Conduct of Engineering Program and applicable DOE Orders, codes, and standards.
• Maintain strict adherence to Safety Basis, Technical Safety Requirements (TSRs), and nuclear safety management principles.
• Collaborate with Operations, Nuclear & Criticality Safety, Project Engineering, and external stakeholders to resolve technical issues and maintain facility safety and reliability.
• Support multi‑disciplinary project teams during design, review, and execution phases, including coordination with SRNS, DOE‑SR, design agencies, and subcontracted engineering organizations.
• Participate in readiness reviews, operational assessments, hazard control decision making, and design change evaluations.
• Provide mentorship, technical input, and subject‑matter guidance within the engineering organization.

Skills

Engineering leadership

DOE regulations

System engineering

Safety basis knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Savannah River National Laboratory in South Carolina seeks a Project Design Authority Engineer to act as the technical authority for facility modifications, ensuring engineering rigor, safety basis alignment, and configuration management across the portfolio.

This role provides technical oversight, supports project execution, and interfaces with facility operations, nuclear safety, and external oversight bodies to resolve complex issues and maintain safety and reliability.