Senior Project Design Authority Engineer

Savannah River National Laboratory; South Carolina; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision options

Disability insurance

Life Insurance

AD&D

Relocation assistance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Savannah River National Laboratory is seeking an Project Design Authority Engineer to act as the technical authority for facility and infrastructure modifications. You will ensure engineering rigor, safety basis alignment, and configuration management across SRNL's portfolio, interfacing with operations, safety, engineering programs, and external oversight bodies.

The role requires 7–10 years of engineering experience in regulated environments and a strong track record as a design authority.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Nuclear, Civil, Chemical, or related field) required.
• 7–10 years engineering experience in DOE, nuclear, or highly regulated environments.
• Experience as a system engineer, design authority, or safety basis engineer.
• Strong knowledge of DOE Orders (e.g., 420.1C, 426.2) and safety analysis methods.
• Ability to evaluate complex technical issues and lead cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication with operations, safety, management, and external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Design Authority for assigned systems and scopes, ensuring modifications meet design basis and DOE regulations.
• Review and approve engineering documents, reports, calculations, and configuration changes.
• Provide guidance during planning, design, hazard analysis, construction, testing, turnover.
• Ensure alignment with Conduct of Engineering and applicable DOE standards.
• Maintain adherence to Safety Basis and TSRs in nuclear safety management.
• Collaborate with Operations and external stakeholders to resolve technical issues and maintain safety.

Skills

Engineering oversight

Nuclear safety

DOE orders

Configuration management

Cross-functional leadership

Hazard analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

PE license

Job description

The Project Design Authority Engineer will serve as the technical authority for facility and infrastructure modification projects, ensuring engineering rigor, safety basis alignment, disciplined conduct of engineering, and configuration management across SRNL's Operations & Facilities portfolio. This role provides technical oversight, supports project execution, and serves as a key interface among facility operations, nuclear safety, engineering programs, and external oversight organizations.

Key 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 multidisciplinary project teams during design, review, and execution phases, including coordination with SRNS, DOESR, 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 subjectmatter guidance within the engineering organization.
• 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 multidisciplinary project teams during design, review, and execution phases, including coordination with SRNS, DOESR, 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 subjectmatter guidance within the engineering organization.

Minimum 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineering (PE) license.
• Experience in nuclear facility operations, safety basis development, or implementation.
• Familiarity with SRNL, SRS procedures, and Conduct of Engineering processes.
• Experience leading or supporting design/build projects, facility upgrades, or major equipment installations.

We put science to work!

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is a multi-program laboratory applying state of the art science and practical, high-value, cost-effective solutions to complex technical problems to protect the nation. Located at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken SC, the laboratory develops and deploys innovative technologies to address some of the nation's environmental, energy, and national security challenges.

Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BSRA) is constantly assessing trends to provide the best possible benefits to our workforce. We also negotiate cost effective premiums that will meet the needs of our evolving workforce.

Some of the *Benefits offered to employees include:

*Benefits vary based upon employment status

• Highly competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision options including HSA options with company provided seed
• Short- & Long-Term Disability (company paid)
• Life Insurance Non-Contributory 1X salary (company paid)
• AD&D Non-contributary 1x salary (company paid)
• Savings & Investment plan:
  • Qualified Non-Elective Company Contribution of 5% each pay period with immediate vesting
  • Company match 50 cents/dollar up to 8% (5 yrs. vesting in company match)
• Contributory Life Insurance up to 5x Salary with $1M Cap
• Contributory AD&D (employee, spouse and children)
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Assistance Plan
• SRNL offers a competitive relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions.

For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the "About" tab at www.srnl.doe.gov.

BSRA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. BSRA is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. Please email us at [e-mail] with any questions regarding the hiring process or to request an accommodation.