What are the responsibilities and job description for the Readiness Technical Principal position at Pantex?
Location: Amarillo, TX (Pantex Plant)
Job Title: Readiness Technical Principal
Career Level: Principal
Organization: Quality Assurance (50995946)
Job Specialty: Readiness Assurance
Job Title: Readiness Technical Principal
Career Level: Principal
Organization: Quality Assurance (50995946)
Job Specialty: Readiness Assurance
What You'll Do
The Readiness Assurance (RA) department reports to the Quality Assurance Division. The department's overarching role is to manage and execute readiness activities that confirm a nuclear or hazardous non-nuclear facility, activity, or operation has achieved a satisfactory state of operational readiness that is safe, secure, and compliant. RA performs four core functions: Contractor Readiness Assessments (CRA), Implementation Verification Reviews (IVR) of new or changed Technical Safety Requirements (TSRs), scheduled TSR re-verifications, and Readiness Leader functions.
The Readiness Technical Principal provides expert guidance, coaching, and mentoring to Readiness Leaders, CRA & IVR Leaders, and TSR Verifiers for startup or restart readiness activities and implementation verification in accordance with Department of Energy (DOE) Order 425.1D, Nuclear Production Office (NPO)-Suppllemental Directive (SD)-3.4.3, and 10 CFR 830. This role combines deep technical knowledge with leadership mentoring to help the Readiness organization became and sustain a world class organization. This role may perform all RA functions and other duties as assigned. The Readiness Technical Principal reports to the Quality Assurance Division Director and functionally to Readiness Assurance management.
What You'll Do Cont.
Technical Guidance and Expertise
- Provide subject matter expertise on DOE O 425.1D, NPO-SD-3.4, requirements for nuclear and hazardous non-nuclear operations readiness review processes and 10 CFR 830 and Implementation Verification processes.
- Advise and mentor Readiness personnel and startup teams on best practices for readiness planning, self-assessments, and corrective action management.
- Guide organizations in aligning Integrated Safety Management (ISM), safety basis implementation, and TSRs with operational readiness expectations.
- Ensure startup activities are performed in compliance with DOE directives, safety management programs, and contractual requirements.
Mentorship and Capacity Building
- Mentor Readiness Leaders, CRA & IVR Leaders, and TSR verifiers on leading readiness activities and control implementation.
- Develop the skills of emerging leaders in readiness planning, evidence management, and interface with site stakeholders and external oversight bodies.
- Facilitate knowledge transfer by coaching teams through mock reviews, management self-assessments (MSAs), and closure of readiness gaps.
- Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational discipline.
Readiness Preparation Support
- Assist organizations in developing readiness plans, schedules, and metrics for tracking startup progress.
- Review and advise on evidence packages, procedures, training programs, and results needed for readiness verification.
- Provide feedback on corrective action plans and strategies for addressing pre-start and post-start findings.
- Support senior management in decision-making regarding readiness to proceed to independent review.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as a trusted advisor to facility management, line management, and leadership.
- Provide independent insight into readiness risks, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
- Facilitate communication among startup teams, DOE line management, contractors and oversight organizations to ensure alignment and reduce risks & issues.
Department and Staff Development
- Advise the Readiness management team in identifying and resolving complex, diverse issues, regularly engaging with the senior leadership team and coordinating with cognizant SMEs/stakeholders across the site, to develop a resilient organization.
- Drive continuous improvement in readiness assurance processes.
- Improve and maintain department policy, procedures, and documents.
- Ensure compliance with standard Pantex business practices (e.g., records management, TOPIC).
What You Can Expect
- 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
Minimum Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree: Minimum 20 years of relevant experience.
- OR Master's degree: Minimum 18 years of relevant experience.
- OR PhD: Minimum 15 years relevant experience.
- OR Applicants without a bachelor's degree may be considered based on a combination of at least 28 years of completed education and/or relevant experience.
DOE Order 426.2A Requirements
- 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)
Preferred Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree - preferably in engineering or a physical science discipline.
- Minimum 30 years managerial, leadership, control application, demonstrated control knowledge and understanding, and demonstrated network relationships. Minimum of 20 years of Pantex and/or applicable DOE experience preferred.
- Current or previous qualification as a Readiness Assessment Team Leader (RATL) under DOE or equivalent federal/contractor program preferred.
- Extensive experience in DOE nuclear and hazardous facility operations, startup/restart readiness, readiness reviews, and operational & nuclear safety requirements; with integration of operations, safety and regulatory compliance; and experience in readiness tracking, evidence management, and corrective action systems.
- Technical mastery of readiness requirements (DOE O 425.1D, DOE-STD-3006-2010, NPO-SD-3.4.3), 10 CFR 830, nuclear and hazardous facility operations, independent verification activities, technical and regulatory knowledge, nuclear safety management, safety basis and hazard control implementation.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams through complex readiness activities and independent assessments in high-hazard operational environments and to deliver defensible, high-quality results under DOE standards while balancing mission execution and safety imperatives.
- Demonstrated strategic planning, systems thinking, leadership, and facilitation skills.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Proven analytical, problem solving, conflict & issue resolution and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication skills including written and oral, business and technical – with the ability to engage and influence all levels within Pantex.
- Demonstrated independent & objective judgment with strong accountability and ownership mindset.
- Excellent interpersonal and teaming skills and committed to collaborative engagement with stakeholders and internal teams.
- Proven ability to coach, mentor and develop less experienced staff in high-consequence and complex operational and regulatory environments.
- Demonstrated commitment to instilling sustainable organizational capability and strong safety & quality culture.
Why Pantex?
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 Pantex you can build a career that lasts a lifetime.
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 being randomly selected 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.
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.
