Overview:
At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world.
The Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Technologies Division, within the National Security Directorate, works across fundamental science, research and development, and operations to counter emerging national security threats. We focus on discovering signatures and understanding threats by creating materials, methods, and technologies to detect and analyze them. Our researchers deliver the solutions necessary for addressing complex mission challenges, such as explosives detection, biological threat detection, chemical and nuclear forensics, and special nuclear materials.
Rockstar Rewards:
Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
- Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
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Responsibilities:
PNNL is seeking an experienced nuclear professional to support PNNL’s Tritium Technology Program Production Design task. The Production Design (PD) task is a large, multifaceted task that assures Tritium Producing Burnable Absorber Rods (TPBARs) are always ready and safe for irradiation in commercial nuclear reactors through NQA-1 level. The Production Design task is structured with seven sub-task leaders that oversee each of the major tasks and up to 50 engineers and scientists. In this role, the successful candidate is expected to work closely with the task manager and sub-task leads to:
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Successfully organize and execute TPBAR PD program activities
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Act as a delegate for the PD task manager as required
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Additional PD leadership responsibilities, as assigned
Production Design task responsibilities include:
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Maintaining and improving the TPBAR design. This includes:
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Keeping a trained, certified PNNL workforce ready to support the TPBAR
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Updating a suite of calculations that demonstrate the TPBAR matches functional and design requirements.
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Creating and maintaining the package of TPBAR drawings and component specifications that are used by a variety of manufacturers to build components.
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Maintaining and improving the TPBAR component specifications ranging from raw material characteristics to mechanical property requirements.
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Preparing experimental test plans to verify and improve the TPBAR design.
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Working with vendors, fabricators, and commercial reactor staff to meet program needs.
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Communicating effectively between TPBAR stakeholders, including commercial nuclear reactor staff that irradiate TPBARs, manufacturers that supply components for TPBAR fabrication, the fuel vendor supplying the reactor, key TTP staff at PNNL, the Tritium Technology Program (TTP) leadership at PNNL, and the sponsor, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
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Assuring the accuracy and quality of the analytic methods going into PD analysis including nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, manufacturing engineering, thermal hydraulics, and safety analysis including Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) analysis. In this role, the candidate will be expected to gain experience and provide leadership with nuclear engineering analyses and in organizing NQA-1 tasks to assure program quality.
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Developing a comprehensive awareness of historical Post Irradiation Examination (PIE) and test activities, results, and conclusions.
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Attending meetings and traveling, including weekly TTP management meetings, traveling to NNSA-sponsored meetings, and traveling to TTP partners such as the reactor, fuel vendor, and manufacturers.
Must be onsite at the Richland PNNL campus; remote work is not supported for this position.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
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BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant experience -OR-
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MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant experience -OR-
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PhD with 3+ year of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
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Significant experience with nuclear engineering, manufacturing, and materials.
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment:
Not Applicable.
Additional Information:
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.
Requirements:
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U.S. Citizenship
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Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
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Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.
"Referral Eligible"
Testing Designated Position (TDP):
This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.
About PNNL:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity:
Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at
[email protected].
Drug Free Workplace:
PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement:
As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.
