Nuclear Licensing Engineer – Senior Engineer or Staff Engineer - Advanced Reactors

Job Summary

Nuclear Power has played an important role in meeting the world’s electrical energy needs for 50+ years.  And with the nation’s power demand rising dramatically in the decades ahead, Nuclear Power will be indispensable in meeting the concurrent challenges of reliability, affordability, and air pollution reduction.   

Building upon its long-standing commitment to its existing fleet of four traditional nuclear power stations, Dominion Energy (DE) is actively exploring the potential benefits of the next generation of nuclear technology.  Often tagged “Advanced Reactors” or “New Nuclear,” a variety of advanced and small modular reactor (SMR) designs are being examined with the ultimate goal of adding the first unit to DE’s North Anna Site. 

As DE pursues the next generation of nuclear power technology, it is essential for the company to effectively navigate the evolving licensing and regulatory environment.  Our Advanced Reactors Team is currently seeking an engineering professional to support licensing activities associated with the development and management of our new nuclear projects. 

The single “Nuclear Licensing Engineer” position will be filled at the Engineer, Senior Engineer or Staff Engineer level commensurate with the successful candidate's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.  The preferred work location of the Nuclear Licensing Engineer is at our Innsbrook campus located in Glen Allen, VA.  However, the position can be based at any of our four power stations: Jenkinsville, SC; Mineral, VA; Surry, VA; or Waterford, CT.

The Nuclear Licensing Engineer will support a variety of licensing activities (certifications, permits, approvals, and licenses associated with reactor technologies) and ensure milestones are met. More specifically, they will:

• Support the planning and execution of the licensing strategy
• Provide support to engineers in developing technical requirements that will ensure compliance with NRC regulations and guidance
• Support scope development of the annual regulatory engagement plan
• Support regulatory audits and responses to RAI’s (Requests for Additional Information)
• Develop regulatory white papers, technical reports, licensing plans, and licensing topical reports
• Perform specialized licensing duties involving researching, evaluating, and communicating technical and legal information relating to plant design and licensing bases, regulatory requirements
• Interface and collaborate with technology vendors and industry counterparts
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned.

In all aspects of their role, the Nuclear Licensing Engineer will need to establish and nurture productive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.  They will need to communicate with precision and timeliness to ensure actions items are completed on time and of exceptional quality.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Experience

To be qualified for the Nuclear Licensing Engineer, one must meet the following requirements:

Engineer

• BS in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program*
• 2+ years of relevant engineering experience working at or in support of a nuclear station

Senior Engineer

• BS in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program*
• 5+ years of relevant engineering experience working at or in support of a nuclear station

Staff Engineer

• BS in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program*
• 8+ years of relevant engineering experience working at or in support of a nuclear station

An Engineering PhD can be substituted for up to 5 years' experience based on research engineering work on directly related projects approved by executive leadership;

HIGHLY PREFERRED CANDIDATES WILL ALSO POSSESS

• 3+ years demonstrated experience in new build design, construction projects, and/or engineering preferred.
• Proven abilities working with budgets, schedules and other associated project tools representing engineering and design progress.  
• Experience in large- or mega-projects, such as site selection, development and preparation activities, environmental controls, and operations, is desirable.  
• Experience with NRC regulatory and licensing processes.
• Proven leadership ability managing and employing sound judgment and decision-making skills.  
• Proven ability to represent the company and projects before regulatory agencies and in public forums.  
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills required to interact with regulators, technology vendors, public interests and project contractors.  
• Proven leadership ability to diplomatically and assertively handle challenging situations with regulatory agencies, the public, vendors and company personnel.  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and negotiation skills.  
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and apply project management skills.  
• Ability to work and develop rapport with all levels of management and staff. 

Education Requirements

Required Degree (equivalency not accepted in lieu of required degree):

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

*Qualifying education includes:

• 4-year Engineering degree from an ABET accredited Engineering program based on the year that the Engineering program was accredited by ABET, or 
• 4-year Engineering degree from an institution outside of the U.S. which is accredited through the country's own Engineering accrediting body under the Washington Accord as a full signatory, and is a degree that was recognized by the country's accrediting body on or after the date that full signatory status was achieved, or
• 4-year degree in Engineering (non-ABET accredited), Physics, Chemistry, Math or Engineering Technology and a post-graduate Engineering degree from an institution where the undergraduate degree in the same Engineering discipline is ABET-accredited based on the year the Engineering program was accredited by ABET, or
• Holds or has previously held a valid U.S. Professional Engineer license

Licenses, Certifications, or Quals Description

Note: Dominion Energy minimum experience and education requirements may exceed stated ANSI standards and candidates must meet the Dominion Energy minimum requirements.

For Nuclear employees, this ANSI standard must be met, all of which is met or exceeded in the Engineer series job summaries with the exception of the Nuclear Power experience requirement of at least 1 year:

ANSI/ANS-3.1-2014, Section 4.6.1 Education requirements: Baccalaureate or associate degree in engineering or related science. Minimum experience for the position: Related experience which shall include 2 years; Nuclear power plant experience to include 1 year.

Working Conditions

Other Working Conditions

Test Description

No Testing