Waste Management Specialist / Engineer

Overview:

The Waste Management Specialist is the lead responsible engineer for characterization, handling, storage, and disposition of all waste streams generated at Lightbridge's pilot HALEU metallic fuel fabrication facility. This includes low-level radioactive waste, mixed waste, hazardous chemical waste, and uranium-bearing scrap/process waste generated during melting, extrusion, and machining operations. The Waste Management Specialist ensures waste is managed in compliance with NRC, EPA/RCRA, DOT, and state requirements from point of generation through final disposition and works closely with Radiological Controls and the Nuclear Facility Manager to minimize waste generation and support material recovery where practical.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as lead responsible engineer for the facility waste management program, covering radioactive, mixed, and hazardous chemical waste streams generated across melting, extrusion, and machining operations.
• Develop and maintain the facility Waste Management Plan and waste acceptance criteria, including waste characterization, segregation, and minimization procedures.
• Own waste characterization activities (radiological and chemical), including sampling, analysis coordination, and recordkeeping to support disposal facility waste acceptance requirements.
• Manage uranium-bearing scrap and process residue streams, coordinating with Nuclear Safeguards on MC&A implications and with Operations on potential material recovery/recycle paths.
• Coordinate packaging, labeling, and manifesting of waste shipments in accordance with DOT hazardous materials regulations and, where applicable, 10 CFR Part 71 transportation requirements.
• Maintain relationships and contracts with permitted low-level radioactive waste and hazardous waste disposal facilities; track waste inventory from generation through offsite shipment.
• Ensure compliance with RCRA (hazardous waste) and applicable state environmental regulations for waste storage areas, including satellite accumulation and less-than-90-day storage requirements.
• Support facility safety basis and process design reviews to identify and minimize waste generation as new process lines are added or scaled.
• Lead waste-related incident investigations (e.g., spills, mislabeled waste, storage violations), perform causal analysis, and track corrective actions.
• Develop and deliver waste handling training for operations and maintenance personnel; maintain waste management procedures and recordkeeping systems.

Required Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, or related technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in radioactive and/or hazardous waste management at an NRC- or DOE-licensed facility or comparable industrial setting.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of RCRA hazardous waste regulations and DOT hazardous materials shipping requirements.
• Familiarity with low-level radioactive waste characterization, packaging, and disposal facility waste acceptance criteria.
• Experience preparing waste management plans, procedures, and regulatory recordkeeping.
• Strong cross-functional coordination skills, with ability to work closely with Radiological Controls, Safeguards, and Operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing uranium-bearing scrap or process waste streams in a fuel fabrication or metals processing environment.
• Certification or advanced training in radioactive waste management (e.g., DOE/NRC-recognized waste management training programs).
• Experience coordinating with commercial LLRW disposal facilities (e.g., Clive, UT or equivalent) and negotiating waste acceptance/disposal contracts.
• Familiarity with material recovery/recycle processes for uranium alloy scrap.