What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research and Development Engineer position at Pantex Plant?
Location: Amarillo, TX
Job Title: Research and Development Engineer
Career Level From: Senior Associate
Career Level To: Senior Specialist
Organization: Development Engineering (51431131)
Job Specialty: Core Engineering
What You'll Do
As a Research and Development Engineer, the candidate will do work to conduct leading edge technology development activities with a specific application to Pantex production operations or similar national security applications. The position will perform duties as part a team, working with subject matter experts, coordinating and preparing technical aspects of engineering projects from inception to completion including conceptual design, prototype testing, and final qualification. The position may be responsible for conducting formal presentations to Pantex plant personnel, National Laboratory representatives, and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) headquarters personnel depending on the candidates experience level. The candidate may be in communication with representatives of National Laboratory design agencies, NNSA representative, vendors, contractors, and other Pantex departments as required to ensure effective and necessary technical cooperation at all levels that result in the completion of assigned objectives all of which are dependent on the candidates’ level of expertise.
Job Duties May Include
At Pantex, you won't just find a job—you’ll discover a career of purpose safeguarding national security through work performed nowhere else on Earth. We empower dedicated, innovative individuals like you to achieve their greatest impact surrounded by exceptional talent and limitless opportunities for professional growth.
When you #JointheMission, you choose a lifetime career where your commitment is genuinely valued and rewarded. At Pantex, we believe that extraordinary talent thrives when supported by a balanced life. Discover the flexibility that empowers you to excel, coupled with a benefits package designed for your total peace of mind from comprehensive health coverage and robust retirement planning, to opportunities for continuous learning through education reimbursement.
Notes
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.
Position may require entry into Materials Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP). If HRP is required, candidate must complete a counterintelligence-scope polygraph, pursuant to 10 CFR 709. Medical requirements may apply.
Pantex 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 random selection for drug testing without advance notification.
Pantex is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
Job Title: Research and Development Engineer
Career Level From: Senior Associate
Career Level To: Senior Specialist
Organization: Development Engineering (51431131)
Job Specialty: Core Engineering
What You'll Do
As a Research and Development Engineer, the candidate will do work to conduct leading edge technology development activities with a specific application to Pantex production operations or similar national security applications. The position will perform duties as part a team, working with subject matter experts, coordinating and preparing technical aspects of engineering projects from inception to completion including conceptual design, prototype testing, and final qualification. The position may be responsible for conducting formal presentations to Pantex plant personnel, National Laboratory representatives, and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) headquarters personnel depending on the candidates experience level. The candidate may be in communication with representatives of National Laboratory design agencies, NNSA representative, vendors, contractors, and other Pantex departments as required to ensure effective and necessary technical cooperation at all levels that result in the completion of assigned objectives all of which are dependent on the candidates’ level of expertise.
Job Duties May Include
- Performs technical project assignments as a team lead managing project logistics or member working on projects within the research and development space
- Analyzes impact of mission and requirement changes on assigned programs, designs, and concepts
- Prepares technical specifications based on weapon requirements provided by the design agencies.
- Acts as a project manager, leader, advisor, mentor, or teammate as required in the design and application of products, processes, devices, and equipment with other engineer, scientist, and technical staff within the department and at other applicable locations as required for the efficient and economical accomplishment of the Plant’s assigned mission.
- Lead, mentor, and assist with training of new teammates within the group
- Recommends improvements in procedures, technology utilization, and automation
- Experience writing and performing test plans, providing constructive and applicable feedback in areas of expertise, and the ability to develop, manage, and report planned cost and scheduled work on assigned projects
- Developing proposals and experimental plans, demonstration of bench scale solutions, understanding of the fundamental chemistry and physics, as well as scale up to pilot facility
- Bachelor's of Science in engineering/science discipline with a minimum 2 years of relevant experience
- OR Master's degree in engineering/science discipline
- OR PhD in engineering/science discipline
- In addition to the above requirements, the applicant must also meet the requirements of DOE O 426.2A (i.e., Baccalaureate in engineering or related science, 2 years job-related and at least 1 year nuclear experience, or a DOE O 426.2A alternative). DOE O 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's degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or Computer Science from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program in the United States or designated equivalents thru ABET Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA)
- OR a Bachelor's degree in science
- A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) is preferred for up to four years post-graduation, confirmed by transcript at the time of offer. Beyond four years from graduation, relevant experience will supersede GPA in hiring considerations.
- Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0/4.0 cumulative GPA
- Master's degree with a minimum 3.3/4.0 cumulative GPA
- PhD with a minimum 3.5/4.0 cumulative GPA
- Technical knowledge in technical principles, theories, and concepts of engineering systems related to material, analysis, testing, qualification, and engineering application of computers
- Ability to clearly and effectively communicate through oral and written word, read and interpret drawings and specifications, and convert the criteria into detailed written procedures
- Ability to exercise initiative, independent judgment, and discretion under limited supervision
- Develop, manage, and report planned cost and scheduled work
- Ability to develop a plan for recovery in order to successfully achieve overall objectives
- Developing novel materials solutions for unique functional applications
At Pantex, you won't just find a job—you’ll discover a career of purpose safeguarding national security through work performed nowhere else on Earth. We empower dedicated, innovative individuals like you to achieve their greatest impact surrounded by exceptional talent and limitless opportunities for professional growth.
When you #JointheMission, you choose a lifetime career where your commitment is genuinely valued and rewarded. At Pantex, we believe that extraordinary talent thrives when supported by a balanced life. Discover the flexibility that empowers you to excel, coupled with a benefits package designed for your total peace of mind from comprehensive health coverage and robust retirement planning, to opportunities for continuous learning through education reimbursement.
Notes
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.
Position may require entry into Materials Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP). If HRP is required, candidate must complete a counterintelligence-scope polygraph, pursuant to 10 CFR 709. Medical requirements may apply.
Pantex 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 random selection for drug testing without advance notification.
Pantex is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability or veteran status.