Setpoints and Control Systems Engineer

Are you interested in being part of an innovative team that supports reputable organizations across multiple industries? If so, we are looking for you. At WECTEC Staffing Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, we recognize that our employees are our most valuable asset and we seek to identify, attract and recruit the most qualified talent while recognizing and encouraging the value of diversity in the global workplace. 

Opportunity Overview:

We are looking to hire an engineering contractor to support Nuclear Steam Supply System (NSSS) Control Systems design and analysis, NSSS Design Transients, Low-Temperature Overpressure Protection System (LTOPS) analysis, Reactor Trip System (RTS) and Engineered Safety Feature Actuation System (ESFAS) Setpoint Uncertainty Analysis, and data / statistical analysis.  The selected individual will work closely with numerous subject matter experts in a variety of nuclear subsystems to ensure the successful completion of the various tasks. This role will work a flexible schedule with some on-site requirements in the Westinghouse Warrendale, PA and Cranberry Twp. Headquarters offices, as needed.

What your day-to-day looks like:

• Responsible for the functional design of the AP1000 digital Control Systems as well as legacy analog control and protection systems and determining setpoints that control the plant’s daily operation.  The role is responsible for developing and maintaining the NSSS Control System Functional Design as documented in the Functional Requirements and Functional Diagrams.
• In addition to the control system functional design, the engineer will be responsible for performing operational transient analyses to test the I&C logic and settings and demonstrate that the overall plant response is acceptable.  The engineer will analyze normal operating transients and propose plant modifications to address operational issues.
• At low temperatures, the reactor vessel and piping are susceptible to brittle fracture due to the potential over pressurization scenarios.  The LTOPS is designed to mitigate these scenarios to prevent reactor vessel and piping damage.  The role will be responsible for analyzing the overpressure transients to ensure the LTOPS can mitigate the events and developing LTOPS configuration changes as necessary.
• A nuclear power plant experiences many cycles of pressure, temperature, and flow variations, which are accounted for in the component stress analysis via the NSSS Design Transients.  The engineer will be responsible for developing and maintaining plant NSSS Design Transients for the NSSS component qualification calculations.  The engineer will also analyze plant modifications to update NSSS Design Transients as needed.
• Nominal Trip Setpoints (NTSs) exist in the RTS and ESFAS to ensure that plant safety limits are protected. A trip will occur to ensure that the necessary counter action can be taken prior to the safety limit being reached. The engineer will be responsible for performing and maintaining uncertainty analysis using the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Westinghouse Setpoint Methodology (WSM) for both AP1000 plants and other domestic nuclear plants. The calculations will ensure that the NTSs adequately protect the Safety Limits when all sources of process uncertainty and instrumentation uncertainty (such as transmitters, resistance temperature detectors, process racks, and indicators) are considered.
• In some instances, a nuclear power plant may seek to extend surveillance intervals (which are typically 18-months) for instrumentation (such as differential pressure transmitters) as a means of cost savings. The engineer will be responsible for performing statistical / data analyses to examine the instrument performance (drift) over time, and to project performance over a longer time period. The objective of this analysis will be to determine whether instrument drift is time-dependent and to determine if the surveillance intervals can be safely extended. Additionally, the engineer will also be responsible for ensuring that the surveillance extensions are adequately addressed in the setpoint uncertainty analysis.
• The candidate will meet periodically with their SCS mentor and SCS supervisor to review assignments, status, training gaps, and ensure overall understanding of the work being completed by the individual.
• Scoping and cost estimating impacts of design changes on existing designs
• Supporting Project Management on schedule creation
• Composing clear and concise reports on the above tasks for internal and external customers.
• Other duties as assigned by the SCS Supervisor.

What we’d like to see