Nuclear Project Director, HFIR Upgrades

Requisition Id 13119 

 

 

Overview:    

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on groundbreaking neutron-based research and isotope production? Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Nuclear Project Director for the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) Upgrades Project Office. You'll play a crucial role in initiatives like the $200+ Million HFIR Beryllium Reflector Replacement (HBRR) and the $700+ Million Reactor Pressure Vessel Replacement (RPVR) projects, ensuring safety, quality assurance, budget adherence, and environmental compliance. Join us in shaping the future of scientific competitiveness and unlocking new scientific opportunities for the nation at one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the United States! 

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities:   

• Directs the HBRR and RPVR nuclear safety and quality assurance project performance teams with activities that span R&D, design, fabrication, testing, installation, and commissioning. 

• Provides scientific and technical leadership to advance the PVR project and communicates goals to project stakeholders.  

• Plans, develops, and coordinates the overall safety basis for the PVR project, leads the development of the Safety Design Strategy for the PVR project, and ensures proper implementation of the safety-in-design concept as required by applicable DOE directives and DOE-STD-1189-2016. 

• Manages nuclear safety professionals and researchers, and nuclear quality assurance staff (mix of matrixed and direct reports) assigned to the RPVR project. 

• Leads the technical development and facilitates the review of all safety and quality assurance documentation required for the PVR and HBRR projects. 

• Ensures project activities and milestones are completed on time and within budget. 

• Leads the technical analysis and modeling in support of the HFIR documented safety analysis (DSA) for the PVR and HBRR projects. 

• Work collaboratively with nuclear safety staff, researchers, and support personnel from across ORNL in the development, review, submittal for approval, and maintenance of safety basis documents, including an amended safety basis for HFIR. 

• Develops plans to identify and address nuclear engineering and safety considerations for elements of long-term operation. 

• Establishes, communicates, and implements priorities of safety-in-design goals of PVR. 

• Promotes a team approach where individual expertise is recognized and employed. 

• Participates and presents project information at reviews, conferences, and workshops. 

• Develops and nurtures strong working relationships across cost account managers, line managers, sponsors, and project support organizations. 

• Prepares presentations for, and responses to recommendations from, technical reviews and/or advisory committees. 

• Facilitates and sustains a strong nuclear safety culture and takes positive actions to address nuclear safety concerns. 

• Lead by example, using the principles in ORNL’s Research Code of Conduct as a guide for proposing, performing, and communicating research and in dealing with others. Read more about the ORNL research code of conduct here: https//www.ornl.gov/content/research-integrity. 

• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by encouraging a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.  

 

Basic Qualifications: 

• A PhD in nuclear physics, nuclear engineering or equivalent with at least 12 years of relevant experience.  

• Proven success in managing technical teams, including nuclear safety analysis for a reactor facility. 

• Proven track record of working productively with highly skilled scientists, engineers, and project management professionals. 

• Exceptional communications skills with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to a diverse audience of collaborators. 

• Familiarity with DOE systems, regulations, and processes. 

• The ability to plan, organize, and implement initiatives relying on both direct and matrixed staff. 

 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• At least 20 years of relevant experience. 

• Direct experience with research reactor and related technologies. 

• Direct experience in the design, development, and testing of nuclear equipment and systems. 

• Direct experience ensuring integration of nuclear safety and