Job Title: Reactor Systems Engineer

Background

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proud to be ranked as a BEST Place to Work in the Federal Government. We've earned our top ratings by creating a work environment rich in opportunity, diversity, leadership training, teamwork, and work life balance. Help guide our nation into the next generation of nuclear safety! Begin a challenging career with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission where you can be part of a select group of professionals who protect people and the environment with the peaceful use of nuclear materials in medicine, industry and research.

Duties

This position is located in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR), Division of Safety Systems (DSS), Nuclear Methods, Systems and New Reactors Branch (SRSB), N Bethesda, MD.

As a Reactor Systems Engineer in NRR’s Nuclear Methods, Systems and New Reactors Branch, you will be responsible for:

1) Reviewing and evaluating design, process design parameters, and performance of reactor systems and nuclear fuel designs for new light water reactors, including both thermal hydraulic and reactivity phenomena under steady-state, transient and accident conditions for design basis events;
2) Conducting reactor systems confirmatory analyses for new light water reactor licensing reviews and topical report reviews;
3) Reviewing and evaluating policy issues related to reactor systems or fuels requirements for new light water reactor designs and methodologies;
4) Preparing safety evaluation reports, audit reports, and other documentation related to new light water design reviews and topical report reviews; and
5) Presenting results of evaluations before the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) and other technical briefings, providing testimony at new light water reactor hearings, and performing technical audits related to nuclear fuel and reactor systems performance and design basis event evaluation.

Qualifications

In addition to the educational requirements to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (GG-12) in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
Specialized Experience is defined as experience technically and analytically reviewing and evaluating design, process design parameters, and performance of reactor systems and nuclear fuel designs for power reactors, including both thermal hydraulic and reactivity phenomena under steady-state, transient and accident conditions for design basis events.

Note: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority.

A description of how you possess the specialized experience should be addressed in your resume, responses to the vacancy questions, and in the additional space provided for your supplemental response.

The ideal candidate for this position will show proof of experience in:

1. Demonstrated knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices in the field of reactor systems and nuclear fuel sufficient to evaluate designs, process design parameters, and review performance for a variety of new light water reactor and nuclear fuel designs.
2. Demonstrated ability in formulating sound technical judgements, making recommendations, and finding solutions in regards to issues pertaining to design basis event evaluation in the areas of core physics, fuel behavior, reactivity control system and control rod design, and core thermal-hydraulic performance.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of NRC rules, regulations, and policies pertaining to power reactors through familiarity with the Part 52 and Part 50 reactor regulatory frameworks, topical report methodology processes, system design standards, regulatory guides and practices, and through the performance of regulatory reviews associated with the design and licensing of new light water reactors and fuel designs.
4. Demonstrated ability to communicate information, ideas, and advice in a clear, concise, and logical manner, both orally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with management and staff, colleagues, and representatives of external organizations.

Education

Qualification for All Professional Engineering 0800 Series:
GG-0801 (General Engineering Series):
Basic Requirements:
o Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR
o Combination of education and experience: college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.

How to Apply

Visit www.nrc.gov Review the NRC Career Opportunities page, click on “Apply Now” then “Search for New Opportunities” and click on “view a list of current NRC vacancies, please visit USAJobs EXIT.” Find the Reactor Systems Engineer Job Announcement Number NRR/DSS-2021-0005 and apply on-line by July 26, 2021. We strongly encourage you to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position so that you correctly submit all necessary materials and documentation. If you are viewing this opportunity after July 26th please visit NRC’s website and discover additional opportunities for which you might be interested. NOTE: DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority.