Structural Engineer

Structural Engineer

Background

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proud to be ranked as a BEST Place to Work in the Federal Government.  We've earned our top ratings by creating a work environment rich in opportunity, diversity, leadership training, teamwork, and work life balance.  Help guide our nation into the next generation of nuclear safety!  Begin a challenging career with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission where you can be part of a select group of professionals who protect people and the environment with the peaceful use of nuclear materials in medicine, industry and research.

This position is located in the Office of New Reactors, Division of Engineering.  
 

Duties

The Duties of this position include:

1. Performing technical evaluations of new reactor applications in the area of structural engineering including wind, tornado, hurricane, seismic analysis and design, concrete and steel containment analysis and design, other seismic Category I concrete and steel structures, and foundation.
2. Performing new reactor construction support including conducting on-site inspections for structures, systems and components, reviewing licensee submittals to satisfy license commitments, conducting vendor inspections, responding to technical assistance requests to disposition inspection findings, and evaluating license amendment requests in the area of structural engineering.
3. Preparing and reviewing Safety Evaluation Reports, Requests for Additional Information, and other documentations to support and document the technical and regulatory bases for technical evaluations and regulatory findings.
4. Using applicable regulations and General Design Criteria, Commission Papers and Staff Requirements Memoranda, Regulatory Guides, and Standard Review Plans as the acceptance criteria and guidelines for technical evaluations.
5. Preparing presentation materials and make presentations on subjects in assigned areas of responsibility.
6. Serving as a staff representative in meetings with the public, industry, and with NRC senior officials and prepare and present testimony in Commission hearings.
7. Identifying need for contractor support to complement existing resources and expertise necessary to accomplish objectives in assigned areas of responsibility.
8. Serving as a technical monitor for technical assistance contracts as well as develop contract documents, provide technical direction to contractors, and monitor contractor performance and expenditures to assure compliance with contract requirements.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.

Specialized experience is defined as: independent work on several specific projects and coursework spanning multiple years of experience related to application of structural engineering principles, which may include research, teaching, design and analysis work experience, code development or published technical papers.

Education: knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of structural engineering gained by completion of a bachelor's degree in civil/structural engineering or a combination of education, training and experience that would be eligible for certification through alternative qualification standards.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Knowledge of the theory, principles, and practices in the area of structural engineering related to design, fabrication, construction, analysis, testing, maintenance, and operations of critical facilities.
2. Knowledge of and experience in design of concrete and steel structures, finite element modeling and analysis, static and dynamic structural analysis, seismic analysis and detailing of structures, and construction inspection.
3. Knowledge of and experience in consensus codes and standards associated with the analysis and design of concrete and steel structures.
4. Knowledge of and experience in leading complex technical projects including financial and technical direction.
5. Demonstrated ability to successfully communicate orally and in writing complex information and ideas to a wide range of audiences in a clear and conscious manner.

Company Description:

Congress created the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as an independent agency in 1974 with the Atomic Energy Act to perform the regulatory duties formerly conducted by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). Some in the government and energy industries felt that the AECs dual responsibility of promoting the use of nuclear materials and regulating safety were conflicting agendas. Consequently, the NRC was created to regulate civilian uses of radioactive materials, while prioritizing the safety and protection of U.S citizens and the environment. One of the main duties of the NRC is to regulate nuclear power plants nationwide. Other regulatory responsibilities include overseeing research, test, and training reactors, fuel cycle facilities, and medical, academic, and industrial uses of radioactive materials. The NRC is also responsible for transporting, storing, and disposing of nuclear material and its waste. The Commission is headed by five commissioners appointed by the President of the United States, with the approval of the U.S. Senate. One of the most well-known incidents involving the NRC dates back to 1979 on Three Mile Island near Middletown, Pennsylvania, when a cooling malfunction melted half of a reactors core. Workers and the surrounding community panicked, fearing contamination would occur. Though the crisis ended without a dangerous release of radiation or a need to order an evacuation, it greatly altered the publics opinion of the nuclear industry and the NRCs regulation policies. After the Three Mile Island accident, the NRC placed greater emphasis on training operators, communication, teamwork, and having a larger human presence in the plants. Today, the NRC continues to focus on nuclear regulation and is evaluating applications for new power plant sites. Nuclear power, unlike many types of power generation, does not emit gases that contribute to global warming and is therefore gaining popularity. In an article titled, Nuclear Power May Be in Early Stages of a Revival The New York Times reported in 2008 that the NRC was in the process of assessing applications for 34 nuclear plants across the U.S. This upsurge in site proposals is expected to create increased job demand at the NRC now and for the coming years