Licensing Manager - Advanced Reactors

This job is located in Abilene, TX. We offer relocation assistance.

Abilene Christian University's (ACU) Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing (NEXT) Lab is seeking to provide global solutions to the world's need for energy, water, and medical isotopes by advancing molten salt reactor technology. A significant part of advancing this technology is the development of a first-of-a-kind Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR) at ACU.

The Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR) for the MSRR was submitted to the U.S. NRC on August 15th, 2022, and is currently under docketing review. The Licensing Manager will work with the NEXTRA consortium of universities (ACU, GT, TAMU, UT) and lead licensing efforts through the PSAR review, as well as the preparation of the Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR).

Basic Responsibilities

a. Work with NEXTRA to license the MSRR through the NRC.

b. Serve as day-to-day contact with NRC including NRC ACU project managers.

c. Support the ACU Safeguards Information (SGI) program.

d. Support licensing efforts for approval of Construction Permit application.

e. Interact with DOE on fuel salt related activities.

f. Lead the drafting of the FSAR and related documentation for inclusion in the Operating License application to the NRC.

Essential Duties

a. Coordinate requests for additional information responses to the NRC.

b. Support licensing efforts required to make MSRR operational.

c. Work with the NEXT QA manager, NEXTRA consortium, and designated engineering contractors to document standards and procedures.

d. Support other required licensures needed by NEXT including but not limited to radioactive materials licenses.

e. Maintain licensing documentation per established guidelines.

f. Show good verbal/written communication skills.

g. Work with others in collaborative team settings.

h. Other duties as assigned

Professional Development Requirements

a. Experience with regulatory codes and guidelines.

b. Understanding of the regulatory processes for the licensing of research reactors verses power reactors.

c. Experience working for, or interacting with, the NRC.

d. Experience with nuclear reactor design, construction, commissioning, and operation.

e. Reactor operator experience is not required but would be beneficial.

Qualifications

a. Minimum bachelor’s degree in a STEM or related field.

b. Minimum 5 years of experience (industry, federal government, or university).

c. Ability to be approved for access to ACU SGI-M designated material.

d. Experience with licensing in a quality controlled environment.

e. Experience developing technical specifications and procedures.

f. Proficient with general computer skills including Windows, e-mail, and Microsoft Office products (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access).

g. Desire to work in a developing field of technology in a team in a university environment.

h. Ability to adapt to frequent change, project schedule, or unexpected events.

i. Requires minimum supervision and shows initiative to operate within design time and constraints.

j. Shows initiative and responsible decision-making skills.

Physical Demands

a. Work is performed in a laboratory environment; must have the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.

b. Work extended hours at certain times on occasion.

c. Ability to handle stress well (high volume and high speed demands)

d. Travel is possible – locations will vary and overnight travel will be necessary

Additional Information

This position requires access to nuclear technical information that is subject to export control restrictions administered by the Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810 (“Part 810”). To work in this position you need to be authorized by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information. Foreign nationals (as defined in 10 C.F.R. 810.3) who are citizens of countries that are not on the Department of Energy’s general authorization list will not be able to perform the work required of this position unless the Department of Energy issues an export control license to the university to permit that individual to have access to Part 810-controlled information.

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions.