Criticality Safety Analyst 4

Company Profile:

Newport News Nuclear BWXT Los Alamos (N3B) manages the 10-year, $2.1 billion Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract for the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Environmental Management, Los Alamos Field Office.

N3B is a limited liability company owned by HII Nuclear Inc. and BWX Technologies, joined by our critical subcontractors Longenecker and Associates and Tech2 Solutions.

N3B brings operational discipline, proven approaches and predictable results to the Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract.

Position Location:

This position is located in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Los Alamos is a tight-knit mountain community that consistently ranks as one of Livability.com’s Best Small Towns in America. The city is a top spot for outdoor enthusiasts as it has more than 120 hiking and biking trails, and residents enjoy easy access to the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. Thanks to the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos’ presence in the area, Los Alamos also has a college-town vibe that’s a major draw for young professionals, families and retirees.

Position Summary

The Nuclear Criticality Safety Group is responsible for providing written technical guidance to assist operations in mitigating the consequences associated with inadvertent, self-sustaining nuclear chain reactions by analyzing normal and credible abnormal conditions for new or changed significant quantity fissile/fissionable material operations. Nuclear Criticality Safety provides general guidance on the implementation of criticality safety limits, the physics of criticality and criticality accidents, training and assistance to operational personnel, and guidance on all aspects of criticality safety to all levels of N3B.

This position reports to the N3B Criticality Safety Manager.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities (may include, but are not limited to):

• Performs nuclear criticality safety evaluations as the senior Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) Analyst.
• Performs independent reviews of nuclear criticality safety technical reports and evaluations.
• Conducts periodic reviews of operations.
• Conducts reviews of new or proposed changes to existing significant quantity fissile/fissionable material operating procedures and in making recommended changes or additions to guidelines and limits to mitigate the consequences of inadvertent nuclear criticality.
• Provides NCS technical guidance to operating organizations.
• Leads the NCS element response to events, including NCS programmatic infractions and criticality accidents.
• Assists with the development of emergency procedures, plans, exercises, and drills.
• Leads and/or participates in assessments and audits of the Nuclear Criticality Safety Program
• Develops and/or reviews of new or proposed changes to existing NCS programmatic policy and implementing documents.
• Ensures all nuclear criticality safety results, materials, processes and final products meet quality specifications and are completed according to established requirements.
• Conducts nuclear criticality safety training for all levels of employees involved in fissionable material operations, including Operations personnel and NCS personnel.
• Develops and/or reviews new or proposed changes to existing NCS programmatic policy and implementing documents.
• Advises the NCS Manager on all topics related to criticality safety, including impacts of changes to national consensus standards
• Regularly interfaces with the DOE for criticality safety issues and matters.
• Provides input to federal and state regulators directly or through trade associations and industry groups for the writing and revision of regulations.
• Participates in the development of criticality safety technical proposals, project cost/schedule documentation, and provides technical leadership to resolve issues, including conferring with project officials to resolve situations where hazards are beyond acceptable levels.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities):

• Demonstrated Department of Energy (DOE) and or commercial nuclear experience performing criticality safety analytical and operation tasks in accordance with ANSI/ANS national standards.
• Expert level knowledge on the use and meaning of any of the national standards; expertise in the use of the data from any reference.
• Subject matter expert in the use of the common computer codes and cross sections in terms of modeling and physical interpretation or know what sources to consult to obtain the correct interpretation.
Demonstrated experience with qualitative and quantitative accident analysis techniques, and criticality safety analysis tools
• -MCNP, SCALE/KENO
• Develops criticality safety evaluation (NCSE) and supporting criticality calculation in accordance with DOE standards and guidelines
• Develops criticality safety strategies, specifying criticality safety structures, systems, and components (SSC)
• Leading in the performance of nuclear criticality safety evaluations for all new and changed significant quantity fissile/fissionable material operations.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to present nuclear criticality safety technical reports and evaluations.
• Extensive knowledge of legal requirements affecting nuclear criticality safety.

Education and Experience Required:

Bachelors’ degree in nuclear engineering, nuclear physics, or related discipline combined with a minimum of 9 years’ relative experience as a qualified criticality safety analyst. However, a combination of education and relevant experience wherein the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position’s duties and responsibilities have been adequately demonstrated is acceptable.

Familiarity with criticality computing platform selection/maintenance and Software Quality Assurance is desired. Experience conducting nuclear criticality safety evaluations with all fissile/fissionable material forms is desired. Demonstrated interaction with DOE and/or DNFSB is a plus.

Business Associations:

Represents organization as the prime technical contact on contracts and projects. Interacts with senior external personnel on significant technical matters often requiring coordination between organizations.

Impact:

Guides the successful completion of major programs and may function in a project leadership role. Erroneous decisions or recommendations would typically result in failure to achieve major organizational objectives.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

Normally assigned to perform work in an office environment, however, approximately 20% of time will be spent in an operations environment. Only electrical hazards and other minor potential hazards normally found in an office environment are anticipated. Job performance requires adequate visual acuity and manual dexterity for meeting the requirements of the discipline.

Safety, Security, and Quality

While working to achieve N3B LLCC objectives, the Criticality Safety Analyst will ensure all activities and operations are performed in a safe and deliberate manner to include protecting the confidentiality and integrity of Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This role will maintain required safety, security and operational training; assure procedural and regulatory compliance; and make safety, security and quality an integral part of every task; including taking the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or compromises security. Ability to obtain an L level Department of Energy security clearance.

Diversity & Inclusiveness

N3B is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

N3B will ensure no applicant for employment or employee is denied equal opportunity because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, status as a parent, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, training, and career development programs.