Nuclear Fire Protection Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Requisition ID19361-Posted07/20/2026-Engineering- Level of Experience (3) -Travel - 30% or less- Job Location Options (1)

Location:Oak Ridge, TN
Job Title: Fire Protection System Engineer - UPF
Career Level From: Associate
Career Level To: Senior Specialist
Organization: UPF Operations Engineering (51393165)
Job Specialty: Fire Protection

As a Cognizant System Engineer/Technical Authority for assigned systems, coordinates configuration management activities, assesses system health and performance, and provides overall technical responsibility for plant system operability and maintenance activities. Works in conjunction with the Configuration Management program for the assigned system(s). Prepares configuration control/design change packages for tasks; evaluates the impact of proposed changes and/or modifications to approved safety authorization bases for facilities; and performs troubleshooting and improvement activities. Applies the systems and equipment expertise needed to resolve technical system and equipment issues in cooperation with other related disciplines.

Fire Protection positions requires knowledge of fire protection engineering principles and their application to fire risk analysis in nuclear/industrial facilities, systems, and processes; NFPA Codes and standards; DOE Orders and DOE-mandated codes and standards related to fire protection. Maintains current knowledge of building and fire protection codes and regulations to assure compliance.

Reference DOE Order 420.1C Facility Safety, Chapter V. Cognizant System Engineer Program

• Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
• Top-notch, dedicated colleagues
• Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
• Career advancement and professional development programs
• Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Physical Science [Chemistry, Physics, or related] from an Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program in the United States or designated equivalents from Canada or Mexico, the Washington Accord, or the list of substantially equivalent as documented by ABET. OR MS in Engineering /Physical science. OR PhD in Engineering /Physical science.
• There is a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement up to 4 years post-graduation at time of offer and confirmed by transcript. Beyond four years from graduation, engineering experience will supersede GPA as a requirement for hire.
  • 3.0/4.0 minimum cumulative GPA for Bachelor degree
  • 3.3 minimum cumulative GPA for Master degree
  • 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA for PhD

In addition, the applicant must meet the requirements of DOE O 426.2A (i.e., Baccalaureate in engineering or related scientific major 2 years job-related, and 1-year nuclear experience; or a DOE O 426.2A alternative). DOE 426.2A experience requirements can be satisfied following employment. In the interim, newly hired personnel will not be assigned duties that could impact the safety basis of nuclear facilities. (Ref. DOE O 426.2A)

• Bachelor of Science or higher in Fire Protection Engineering or Fire Protection Technology.
• Relevant fire protection experience from two to fifteen plus years.
• Frequent use and application of technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques
• Ability to estimate, plan, and track progress for preparation of discipline deliverables
• Ability to work in a project team environment and communicate well with other disciplines, customers, and stakeholders
• Ability to make informed decisions and support those decisions to peers and senior management

You get #morethanajob. We encourage employees to achieve a healthy personal balance among home, work and the community. One of the ways we embrace work-life balance is by offering flexible work arrangements that provide alternatives to the traditional workweek, while still meeting business needs. Top talent and personal commitment mean more to our success than any other factors, so we reward our people with the kinds of benefits that make a positive difference in the quality of their lives. Benefits such as: medical plan, prescription drug plan, vision plan, dental plan, employer matched 401(k) savings plan, disability coverage, education reimbursement and many more. Want to stay healthy and fit but hate the cost of a gym membership? Take advantage of one of our onsite workout facilities and eat healthy in our onsite cafeterias. Much more than a workplace, at Y-12, you can build a career that lasts a lifetime.

The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.

If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.

Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.

This position may require entry into the Material Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (10 C.F.R. Part 712), which requires successful competition of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation and may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.

This position may be categorized as a “designated position” identified by 10 C.F.R. Part 709, requiring successful completion of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation that may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.

CNS is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to being randomly selected for drug testing without advance notification.

CNS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability or veteran status.