Associate Engineer​/Scientist​/Technical Officer - Site Characterization

Founded in 2002, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.

The NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders who are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. In 2024, the NWMO selected Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace as the potential hosts for the site for a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel.

This decision means our office and staff will, in the future, be relocating to Ignace, Ont., and the deep geological repository will be situated in the area of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace. Infrastructure planning and development are underway to support this transition and ensure that both the community and our employees are well served and supported, now and in the future.

Ignace, Ontario – 304 Main Street

We are currently seeking Scientist/Engineer/Technical Officer to join our Site Characterization team at our Ignace Offices in areas relevant to site characterization activities relevant to a Deep Geologic Repository (DGR).

The DGR concept for the safe long-term containment and isolation of radioactive waste is founded on a multi-barrier approach. Key site characterization activities in geomechanics focus on the collection and synthesis of site-specific data (e.g., through deep and shallow borehole drilling campaigns) to assess current conditions, and past and future site evolution as relevant to a repository safety case. Site characterization activities are broadly based;

involving the interaction of multiple geoscience disciplines to establish, among other aspects, the positioning and layout of the underground repository to ensure passive safe design, the assessment of repository stability during construction, operations and post-closure phases, and the response of the enclosing repository rock mass to induced internal and external natural perturbations occurring over time frames of 1 million years.

Reporting to the Field Manger, the incumbent will provide sound technical advice, guidance, and consultation to support the acquisition, oversight, reporting and analysis of shallow groundwater data. The incumbent will also support other activities within the Site Characterization team to characterize the properties of the site.

The Site Characterization team is involved in a wide range of testing, analysis and interpretation, and is looking for a team member with broad experience in data collection and application, including shallow groundwater monitoring, as well as experience managing projects.

• Provide technical expertise related to shallow groundwater sampling and data collection.
• Lead project logistics, including sample bottle ordering and preparation, work order development, sample shipment arrangements and field gear preparation.
• Produce daily activity records and field summary reports.
• Produce reports or other documents and/or presentation as required related to data acquisition activities.
• Assist in contract management, including review of invoices.
• Assist the Site Services team in other field-related tasks to advance the Site Characterization Project.
• Communicate status, risks, challenges and progress of assigned tasks to the Site Characterization project team.
• Participate in NWMO public engagement activities.
• Support and advance technical understanding within the organization by participating in cross functional collaborative working groups.
• Participate in budget submission, financial evaluations as required.
• Ensure all work activities and programs reflect an awareness of and compliance with applicable regulations and with the divisional and customer safety program.
• Perform other…