The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s used nuclear fuel inside a deep geological repository, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.

Founded in 2002, the NWMO has been guided for 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders that are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. Canada’s plan will only proceed in an area with informed and willing hosts, where the municipality, First Nation and Métis communities, and others in the area are working together to implement it. The NWMO plans to select a site in 2024, and two areas remain in our site selection process: the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area in northwestern Ontario and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation-South Bruce area in southern Ontario.

Engineer/Scientist/Technical Officer – Used Fuel Packaging Plant

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Manager, Used Fuel Packaging Plant, and in collaboration with a multidisciplinary technical team, the successful candidate will provide technical advice, guidance and consultation in the area of used nuclear fuel handling and radioactive waste management.

Specifically, the candidate will work on a talented team focusing on the design, development, and costing of the Used Fuel Packaging Plant (UFPP), a Class 1B Nuclear Facility, which will repackage 120,000 CANDU fuel bundles per annum into specialized containments, also known as the Engineered Barrier System, for emplacement in a Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada’s used nuclear fuel. The Engineered Barrier consists of a bimetallic copper-steel Used Fuel Container enclosed in a compacted bentonite clay shell. The scope includes the full facility life-cycle: site preparation, construction, operations, decommissioning, and closure. This facility will need to consider and address the many challenges associated with used fuel handling including, but not limited to: waste acceptance criteria; equipment design/operation for radiological environments; manufacturing and packaging logistics; operations and human factors; radiation protection; safeguards; security; emergency management; solid and liquid radioactive waste management; and operational communications.

This is a Progression-In Place role. Applicants with lesser experience or qualifications may be considered for a position at a lower level commensurate with their experience.

Responsibilities:

Perform as a technical expert in the designated discipline. Specific duties include:

• Develop requirements for processes and systems to transfer used CANDU fuel from transportation packages into Used Fuel Containers.

• Develop and demonstrate automated assembly processes as may be required for manipulation and assembly of radioactive materials.

• Provide support to architectural / design organizations developing specifications and equipment designs for facilities to package used fuel.

• Work collaboratively with stakeholders from Engineering (Engineered Barrier System, Mining & Repository Engineering, Transportation), Geoscience, Nuclear Safety and Design Authority & Integration Management to advance the UFPP design considering functional/performance requirements, mitigation of operational risk and cost effectiveness.

• Support regulatory application by providing necessary input data and reports. Support / represent the Engineering Team in regulatory meetings for technical discipline.

• Lead projects and contracts. Participate in the development and issuance of contracting documents (RFP’s) and evaluation and selection of contractors. Review work plans; review technical reports and outputs; monitor/report on contractor performance against work plans and schedule.

• Be responsible for and support the preparation and administration of the budget on assigned projects and contracts, including financial activities such as accruals, forecasting and business planning activities.

• Communicate clearly to Manager and external groups regarding the design and project progress. Provide updates and report to external stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, on the design status, work activities and project status.

• Ensure that all work activities and programs reflect an awareness of and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, adhere to applicable codes & standards, are consist with industry best practice, and meet NWMO’s quality and safety requirements.

• Support the Life Cycle Cost estimates of the Used Fuel Packaging Plant.

• Keep abreast of developments in radioactive waste management technologies through technical publications, contacts with internal and external experts in the field, and conference presentations.

• Present results to technical groups, government authorities and national waste management organizations.

• Participate in NWMO public engagement activities as required.

• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience:

This is a Progression-In Place role. Applicants with lesser experience or qualifications may be considered for a position at a lower level commensurate with their experience.

• Requires a 4-year university degree in in a relevant engineering discipline, or an equivalent level of experience.

• A minimum of 6 years’ experience of relevant technical expertise.

• Knowledge of Canadian nuclear technology and/or CANDU fuel characteristics and integrity.

• Demonstrated experience in contract management (i.e., creation of requests for proposals, bid evaluation, ongoing management, contract close out, etc.)

• Demonstrated experience in project management preferably related to the used fuel handling including plan development, resourcing, schedule tracking, contract management and problem resolution.

Desired Experience:

The ideal candidate will have the following experience; however, those with lesser experience should not hesitate to apply:

• Direct experience with system and/or equipment design, fabrication, testing, and operations for use in radiological environments. Hot-cell design and/or operational experience would be considered an asset.

• Direct experience in performing the design, fabrication, inspection, commissioning, and engineering change management processes for nuclear equipment and SSCs.

• Direct experience supporting construction, operation, and/or decommissioning of nuclear facilities. Experience in fuel handling, outage or refurbishment execution is preferred.

• Direct experience supporting Class I/IB Nuclear Facility Design Basis; including developing associated safety/design related documentation (e.g. Design Requirements, Design Descriptions, Calculations, Technical Specifications; etc.).

• Knowledge of Canadian nuclear and international regulatory requirements for Class I/IB Nuclear facilities and/or experience in developing materials for regulatory submissions.

• Knowledge of radiation protection, security, safeguards, probability safety or risk assessment, emergency response, nuclear criticality; as it relates to the operation of a Class I/IB nuclear facility.

• Familiarity with CSA N286, CSA N299 and ISO 9001.

Other Requirements/Abilities:

• Highly motivated individual dedicated to excellence.

• Strong interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and interact with external contractors.

• Strong organizational skills with the capability to prioritize work to meet established deadlines.

• Self-directed learner who displays initiative, problem recognition, synthesis and problem solving ability.

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical specifications and procedures, governmental regulations, policies and technical reports.

• Must be able to communicate effectively in both oral and written form and have excellent professional presentation skills to present information and respond to questions from public officials, contractors, the public and other stakeholders.

• This position may require some travel

Must be eligible to work in Canada and must be able to meet security clearance requirements.

NWMO currently operates in a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office (Tuesdays being universal) and 2 days working from home.

We offer a competitive base salary, health care benefits and pension plan.

The NWMO is committed to contributing to Reconciliation in all its work by co-creating a shared future built on rights, equity and well-being. As an employment equity employer, NWMO actively seeks Indigenous Peoples, members of visible minorities, women, people with disabilities, and additional diverse identities for our workforce. The NWMO will provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodation, please contact us

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