Production Design Engineer

Overview

PNNL organizes its core capabilities into Directorates focused on scientific research or function, with dedicated leadership and budgets. Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, Energy and Environment. The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to address real-world threats. The Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Technologies Division (within NSD) works across fundamental science, research and development, and operations to counter emerging national security threats.

Researchers deliver solutions for challenges such as explosives detection, biological threat detection, chemical and nuclear forensics, and special nuclear materials.

• Support PNNL’s Tritium Technology Program Production Design (PD) task to assure TPBARs are ready and safe for irradiation in commercial nuclear reactors in compliance with NQA-1.
• Collaborate with the PD task manager and sub-task leaders to organize and execute program activities; act as a delegate for the PD task manager as required.
• Lead and contribute to PD activities across seven sub-task leaders and up to 50 engineers and scientists.
• Maintain and improve the TPBAR design, ensuring a trained and certified PNNL workforce is ready to support TPBARs.
• Update calculations demonstrating TPBARs meet functional and design requirements.
• Create and maintain TPBAR drawings and component specifications used by multiple manufacturers.
• Maintain TPBAR component specifications from raw material characteristics to mechanical property requirements.
• Prepare experimental test plans to verify and improve the TPBAR design.
• Collaborate with vendors, fabricators, and commercial reactor staff to meet program needs.
• Communicate effectively with TPBAR stakeholders, including reactor staff, component suppliers, fuel vendors, PNNL staff, TTP leadership, and the sponsor (NNSA).
• Ensure accuracy and quality of analytic methods used in PD analyses across nuclear, mechanical, chemical, and manufacturing engineering, thermal hydraulics, and safety analysis (including LOCA).
• Develop leadership experience in nuclear engineering analyses and organizing NQA-1 tasks to ensure program quality.
• Develop an awareness of historical PIE and test activities, results, and conclusions.
• Attend meetings and travel as needed, including weekly TTP management meetings and meetings with NNSA and TTP partners (reactor, fuel vendor, manufacturers).
• Must be onsite at the Richland, WA PNNL campus; remote work is not supported for this position.

• Minimum Qualifications: BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant experience OR MS/MA and 5+ years OR PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Preferred Qualifications: Significant experience with nuclear engineering, manufacturing, and materials.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance. A security clearance background investigation includes review of employment, education, financial, and criminal history, and may include interviews and assessments to determine trustworthiness and suitability. See below for specific requirements.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship.
• Background Investigation:
  Applicants will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter per applicable DOE rules.
• Drug Testing:
  Pre-employment and post-employment random drug testing are required for Security Clearance positions.
• Non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana for the past 12 months prior to certain clearances.
• Security-related notes and risk determinations: DOE/HSPD-12 requirements apply; local rules may vary for foreign nationals.

Additional Institutional Information PNNL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide reasonable accommodations and offer benefits including medical, dental, vision, telehealth, mental health resources, wellness programs, life and disability insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For details, see the organization’s benefits documentation. PNNL is a drug-free workplace. If offered employment, candidates must pass a drug test prior to starting.