ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a Regulatory Affairs Lead to join our team supporting the Oak Ridge National Laboratory! This position is full-time and will be based out of Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Strategy:

• Develop and implement risk-informed, performance-based regulatory strategies to ensure compliance with DOE, NRC, and other applicable nuclear reactor and nuclear facility regulations.

• Ensure adherence to Facility Safety under DOE O 420.1C, Safety in Design under DOE-STD-1189-2016, reactor safety following the General Design Criteria under NRC’s 10 CFR 50 Appendix A as well as other applicable codes and standards.

• Maintain awareness of evolving nuclear reactor regulatory requirements and guidance documents, especially for advanced reactor risk-informed, performance-based approaches, and integrate updates into project processes as appropriate.

• Coordinate safety analysis and probabilistic risk assessment with Nuclear Reactor Analysis team.

• Coordinate regulatory reviews, approvals, and project milestones.

• Lead hazards analysis and mitigation activities.

• Coordinate safety strategy with the Nuclear Facility Safety Division.

• Lead environmental compliance activities.

Stakeholder & Agency Engagement:

• Serve as the primary project regulatory liaison with DOE, NRC, state, and other agencies.

• Facilitate meetings, inspections, and audits with regulatory bodies.

• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to oversight agencies.

Documentation & Risk Management:

• Work collaboratively with nuclear safety staff, researchers, and support personnel from across ORNL in the development, review, submittal for approval, and maintenance of safety basis documents, including an amended safety basis for HFIR.

• Oversee the preparation and submission of regulatory documentation.

• Maintain accurate records in accordance with regulatory requirements.

• Identify regulatory risks and develop mitigation strategies.

• Respond to regulatory inquiries and ensure corrective actions are implemented.

Leadership & Team Management:

• Develop and lead a team of direct reports as well as matrixed staff.

• Promote a team approach where individual expertise is recognized and employed.

• Provide mentoring, training, and oversight to regulatory affairs personnel.

• Foster a culture of compliance and continuous improvement.

• Facilitate and sustain a strong nuclear safety culture and takes positive actions to address nuclear safety concerns.

Communication:

• Provide clear and accurate communication to all levels of management, staff, and stakeholders.

• Develop clear and concise presentation materials that assist in the timely delivery of project messaging.

• Participate and present project information at reviews, conferences, and workshops.

• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Requirements

• Education & Years of Experience – Bachelor’s Degree in nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field and 12+ years, Master’s Degree and 10+ years, or PhD and 8+ years of relevant experience.

• Citizenship – To be considered, you must be a United States (U.S.) citizen due to the federal nature of the work.

• Clearance – To be considered, you must be able to obtain and maintain a government issued clearance, if needed.

• Experience in nuclear reactor regulatory compliance and alignment with nuclear reactor safety analysis with a nuclear regulatory body and/or within the nuclear industry.

• Expertise in DOE and/or NRC nuclear reactor regulations, licensing, and safety basis development.

• Experience in nuclear reactor regulatory engagement, audits, and compliance strategies.

• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Must be available for domestic and international travel.

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

Desired Skills

• An MS degree in nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.

• Experience with DOE nuclear facility upgrades and safety analysis.

• Knowledge of environmental compliance regulations.

• Familiarity with hazard analysis and risk mitigation strategies.

About the Site

The DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, conducts research and development to create scientific knowledge and solutions that strengthen the nation's leadership in key areas of science; increase the availability of clean, abundant energy; restore and protect the environment; and contribute to national security. ORNL also performs isotope production, information management, and technical program management (energy.gov).

ABOUT GEM

GEM Technologies, Inc. (GEM) is an award-winning federal contractor with more than 30 years of experience providing environmental, construction, facility management, and technical services to federal agencies, state and local governments, and commercial organizations. Founded in 1994 as a nuclear engineering firm to support federal operations in East Tennessee, GEM has since expanded into a nationwide, multi-disciplinary provider with over 270 employees and a diverse portfolio of contracts in the environmental, nuclear, and defense sectors. Some reasons to join GEM are:

• Our philosophy – We believe in the power of effective collaboration and recognize that good partnerships are the building blocks to success.

• Our relationships – Partnering with federal clients, we solve complex problems, exceed expectations, and advance critical missions.

• Our team – We are committed to managing a cohesive workforce and cultivating a supportive workplace for our employees on contracts and in-office.

• Our community involvement – Supporting our communities, we invest time and money in local schools and non-profit organizations.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

GEM’s offered compensation is dependent on candidates’ education, qualifications, and relevant years of experience. To recruit and retain our exceptional staff, we offer the opportunity to elect benefit packages that best suit our employee’s needs; this includes, but is not limited to, a competitive Salary, Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (including HSA & PPO options), Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays, Life Insurance, and a matching 401(k) Retirement Plan.

Please Note: With the exception of mandated state requirements, GEM does not publish salary information on external job boards; as such, most ranges listed are estimates made by vendors and not actual salary ranges.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

GEM Technologies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law.