Principal Criticality Scientist

Join the UK's largest Criticality Group.

AWE are currently looking to expand their team and have opportunities for Principal Criticality Scientists to support all company programmes in support of our important mission in 'keeping the Nation safe'.

Principal Criticality Scientist

Location: South East England

Salary: £54,500 - £86,150 (dependent on skills and experience) + allowances

AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) offers an attractive array of benefits which include:

• Market leading contributory pension scheme

• Generous holiday entitlement 270 hours a year (inclusive of Bank Holidays) plus every other Friday off

• Flexible working hours

• Salary sacrifice scheme

• Consideration for either full time or part time hours. Just let us know on your application if you wish to work part time

• Relocation package available (terms and conditions apply)

Our Principal Criticality Scientists act as Subject Matter Experts pivotal in the provision of criticality safety assessments/determinations and specialised expert support relating to large scale Metallurgical Processing Facilities and Operations, Assembly/Disassembly Operations, Decommissioning Operations, Transport, Trials and Nuclear Threat Response requirements.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Leading the technical approval of criticality safety assessments

• Set the criticality safety assessment strategy for modifications and new build activities

• Provide lead technical criticality safety support and advice to the facility, operational or project management teams, influencing as necessary

• Leading the technical delivery of critical safety tasking supporting the company fissile material operations

• Lead, coach and mentor members of the team

• Maintain and improve AWEs suite of company management arrangements for criticality safety that reflect relevant good practice and modern standards. Engaging with other UK and international experts to do so

• Support external activities, as required, as part of the Critical Safety Authority Outreach and Science Programme. Representing AWE at UK and international conferences

• Nuclear Baseline Role: Directly Supporting Work with Nuclear Materials and engaging with other Safety Assessment Specialists in support of a common goal

• The Company may require you to fulfil any other reasonable duties aligned to your position from time to time in line with business needs.

Whilst not to be considered a check list, candidates should be able to demonstrate some of the following:

• Degree in a science or engineering based subject or vocational qualification (HND or equivalent) and/or extensive practical experience

• Detailed knowledge of nuclear physics and the physics of criticality

• Detailed knowledge of criticality safety assessment techniques and principles

• Good understanding of fissile material processes/operations and the safety challenges of undertaking such operations

• Detailed knowledge of the regulatory requirements of fissile operations within a Nuclear Licensed Site

• Demonstrate leadership in the field of criticality safety, providing influence and impact

• Ability to establish strong working relationships with key stakeholders including technology centres, operational and project management, engineers and safety case teams

• Good understanding of the requirements and process for the development of a nuclear safety case

• Knowledge of nuclear transport codes - Monte Carlo and deterministic methods e.g. MONK and MCNP

• Report and presentation skills

• Experience in a nuclear, high hazard and/or highly regulated industry

• Professional membership to a relevant chartered body (desirable)

All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.

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