Systems Design and Test Operations Engineer (Temporary Assignment)

At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. Headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia, BWXT is a Defense News Top 100 manufacturing and engineering innovator that provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for global security, clean energy, environmental restoration, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With more than 7,800 employees, BWXT has 14 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers. Our company supplies precision manufactured components, services and fuel for the commercial nuclear power industry across four continents. Our joint ventures provide environmental restoration and operations management at a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. BWXT’s technology is driving advances in medical radioisotope production in North America and microreactors for various defense and space applications. For more information, visit www.bwxt.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

A pipeline or evergreen requisition means that the job description does not represent a current opening, but may be used to identify future candidates with skills and experience for frequent, critical-need positions. By applying, you are providing BWXT with consent to contact you for future openings of similar qualifications.

The assignment will be performed onsite at our Lynchburg, Virginia location or remotely with travel as needed.

Welcome to BWXT
We believe in empowering our employees and cultivating a dynamic workplace that fosters growth and collaboration. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your career, you'll find opportunities to challenge yourself, learn from seasoned experts, and contribute to nuclear innovation. We require a diverse range of skills to support our work in the markets that drive our business and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and life stages who are passionate about making a difference.

BWXT is People Strong, Innovation Driven - be part of BWXT’s innovation hub. BWXT’s Advanced Technologies (AT) group researches, designs, and develops innovative new nuclear reactors, nuclear rocket propulsion systems, and radioisotope production systems for both internal and external customers.

If you are looking for a career where your experience is valued, innovative thinking is fostered, and barrier-free teamwork is embraced every day, then this opportunity is for you.

Please note that this is a temporary position, intended to support project needs over a 9-12 month timeframe. 

Temporary Assignment – Position Overview:

We are seeking a Systems Test and Operations Engineer to fulfill a temporary need within our Verification Testing team. This role is intended to provide additional support for project PELE for a 6-month timeframe. The Systems Test and Operations Engineer will provide input to BWXT design engineers from a nuclear reactor operations perspective for the development of reactor technologies, so that those technologies employ sound operational principles. This position will participate in development of reactor plant operating strategies, operating, test, and maintenance procedures, and will be deeply embedded with all aspects of reactor design and development activities – with the goal to ensure that the reactor plant systems are integrated and will function together to meet the requirements for safe, efficient, and reliable plant operations. This role will also lead BWXT’s role in the development of the Reactor Simulator design and development for the PELE Project. The Systems Test and Operations Engineer will work in the Systems Engineering department and will provide support to terrestrial microreactor and space reactor projects.  

Location:

The position will be in the Lynchburg, VA Advanced Technologies Office or remote with travel as needed.

Temporary Assignment – Systems Test and Operations Engineer Responsibilities:

• Lead coordination and design of the PELE Project Simulator, with responsibilities to include interfacing with multiple organizations and contractors, aggregating design data, and developing scenarios for evaluations.
• Develop and implement reactor operating strategies.
• Support the development of the reactor concept of operations to describe the use of the system from the perspective of the reactor operator, encompassing all modes of operation.
• Lead the preparation of reactor operating procedures, including normal and off-normal conditions and events, surveillance procedures, alarm response procedures, etc.
• Participate in the development of reactor system training materials in accordance with the Systematic Approach to Training method.
• Integrate and coordinate across disciplines to implement operating approaches for safe, efficient, and reliable plant operations.
• Support development of control algorithms for semi-autonomous and/or manual operations.
• Support the evaluation of integrated plant response to various events, accidents, and malfunctions.
• Support the design of plant control and monitoring interfaces, including the Human Machine Interface in the control room as well as other operator interfaces.
• Using reactor design materials, develop operations training material for internal and customer use.
• Collaborate with designers for optimized maintainability of the systems.
• Participate in the development of commissioning test development and execution.
• Participate in design reviews and provide feedback from an operations and maintenance perspective.
• Travel to partner sites as necessary to support development and testing efforts.

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering or engineering technology is required.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in nuclear reactor operations is required.
• Must have a current or prior Reactor Operator or Senior Reactor Operator license or certification or have qualified as EWS/EOOW in the United States Navy or have significant experience in nuclear reactor simulator design.
• Must have demonstrated understanding of the interrelationships and dependencies of reactor systems, encompassing nuclear, mechanical, I&C and electrical systems – and their response as an integrated power plant system.
• Must be familiar with the operation and maintenance of reactor equipment.
• Must have demonstrated ability to lead through influence within matrixed organizations.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) or Department of Defense (DOD) security clearance, whichever is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with the development and implementation of control schemes for nuclear plant operations in normal and off-normal conditions.
• Nuclear Operations Training experience.
• Nuclear Reactor Simulator Design and maintenance experience.
• Familiarity with high temperature gas reactor technologies.
• Experience in the design of fluid systems.
• Experience in the design of I&C systems.
• Experience in the design of electrical systems.
• Experience working with U.S. Government customer (e.g., DOD, DOE, NASA).

 The compensation for this temporary assignement will be negotiated based on the candidate's qualifications for this assignment and the selected employment arrangement. 

As a federal government contractor, BWX Technologies, Inc. and any subsidiaries, affiliates and related entities (“BWXT” or the “Company”) complies with all federal, state, and local laws and customer requirements regarding health and safety protocols.  As such, all BWXT new hires will be required to adhere to applicable Company health and safety requirements within the workplace as a condition of employment.

BWXT is committed to the concept of Equal Employment Opportunity. We have established procedures to ensure that all personnel actions such as recruitment, compensation, career development, benefits, company-sponsored training and social recreational programs are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, protected veteran or other protected status.

BWX Technologies, Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (BWXT) is not responsible for and does not accept any liability for fees or other costs associated with resumes or candidates presented by recruiters or employment agencies, unless a binding, written recruitment agreement between BWXT and the recruiter or agency exists prior to the presentation of candidates or resumes to BWXT and includes the specific services, job openings, and fees to be paid (“Agreement”). BWXT may consider any candidate for whom a recruiter or agency has submitted an unsolicited resume and explicitly reserves the right to hire such candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency unless an Agreement is in place prior to presentation and such Agreement explicitly encompasses the job opening for which such fees or costs are sought. An email, verbal or other informal contact with any person within BWXT will not create a binding agreement. Agencies or recruiters without an Agreement are directed not to contact any hiring managers of BWXT with recruiting inquiries or resumes. Recruiters and agencies interested in partnering with BWXT may contact BWXT’s Talent Acquisition team at talent_acquisition@bwxt.com.