Senior Technical Specialist, SMR/Non-Standard Fuel Wastes
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s used nuclear fuel inside a deep geological repository, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.
Founded in 2002, the NWMO has been guided for 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers that are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. Canada’s plan will only proceed in an area with informed and willing hosts, where the municipality, First Nation and Métis communities, and others in the area are working together to implement it. The NWMO plans to select a site in 2024, and two areas remain in our site selection process: the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area in northwestern Ontario and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation-South Bruce area in southern Ontario.
Senior Technical Specialist, SMR/Non-Standard Fuel Wastes
Regular Full-time
Position Location: Toronto Head Office – 22 St. Clair Avenue East
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Director, Safety & Technical Research the incumbent will provide technical design input and oversight to the support the assessment of SMR and non-standard CANDU nuclear waste forms, for their inclusion in the Adaptive Phased Management (APM) deep geological repository safety case.
The incumbent will be responsible for developing directly or via contracts the understanding needed to support engineering design and safety assessment of SMR and non-standard nuclear waste forms. Assessment of criticality safety topics will be a specific focus, but the work also includes: dimensions and amounts; heat generation, waste form durability; corrosion; radionuclide content; and radionuclide release.
Responsibilities
- Provide subject matter expertise in fuels from SMRs and other non-standard fuel wastes, including damaged/defective CANDU fuel and AECL legacy fuels.
- Conduct analyses and/ or provide recommendations for work on non-standard fuel wastes needed for the development of engineering design solutions and the pre-closure and post-closure safety case, specifically including criticality safety (pre-closure and post-closure) but also considering: dimensions and amounts, heat generation, waste form durability; corrosion; radionuclide content; radionuclide release.
- Assist in development of waste acceptance criteria for SMR and other non-standard fuel waste.
- Provide support to NWMO’s used fuel deep geologic repository technology program in related subjects.
- Assist in preparation and review of other safety assessment analyses and documents.
- Develop and implement contracts and/or work needed. This includes full-project lifecycle from scope development, tendering process, contract award and kick-off, cost/schedule/risk/resource/performance /quality management of contractor, reviewing technical deliverables, and contract closeout.
- Interface with vendors or waste owners to develop descriptions of SMR and other non-standard fuel wastes, including providing direct technical support to help address gaps, and implementing or advising on contracts to address gaps.
- Develop and monitor programs to acquire information needed to support the safety case.
- Participate in business planning and budget submissions.
- Keep abreast of developments and international projects/experience related to nonstandard fuel through technical publications, contacts with internal and external experts in the field.
- Represent the NWMO and make presentations to the public, CNSC and at national and international forums.
- Ensure that all work activities reflect an awareness of, and follow, applicable legislated, corporate and departmental safety requirements and programs
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience
- A 4-year university degree in nuclear engineering or an equivalent relevant engineering or chemistry/chemical engineering or the equivalent education.
- Over 8 years of relevant experience including experience in criticality, nuclear waste, and nuclear fuels.
- Knowledge of non-CANDU nuclear waste forms would be an asset.
- Must be able to effectively apply theoretical and practical technical knowledge and use sound analytical thinking to solve problems in the appropriate subject areas.
- Experience in contract management (i.e. creation of requests for proposals, bid evaluation, ongoing management, contract close out).
- Strong interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Proven organizational and attention to detail skills.
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
- Self-directed learner who displays initiative, problem recognition, synthesis and problem-solving ability.
- Experience in project management, including plan development, resourcing, schedule tracking and problem resolution.
- Experience in communicating effectively in both oral and written form.
Other Information
Must be eligible to work in Canada and must be able to meet security clearance requirements.
NWMO currently operates in a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office (Tuesdays being universal) and 2 days working from home.
We offer a competitive base salary and health care benefits package.
The NWMO is committed to contribute to Reconciliation in all our work by co-creating a shared future built on rights, equity and well-being. As an employment equity employer, the NWMO actively seeks Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, women, people with disabilities, and additional diverse identities for our workforce. We will provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodation, please contact us.