Criticality Safety Officer

Standard Nuclear is fueling America’s nuclear renaissance at industrial scale. Our mission is to deliver the essential building blocks of nuclear power—enabling cost-effective, safe, and secure energy for the world.   The Criticality Safety Officer (CSO) is responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining the nuclear criticality safety program across Standard Nuclear’s fuel manufacturing and handling operations. This role ensures that all fissile material activities are conducted safely and in full compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and industry standards.   The CSO provides technical authority on criticality safety, including evaluation of processes, development of safety controls, and review of operations involving nuclear materials. This role works closely with engineering, operations, and EH&S teams to ensure that criticality safety is fully integrated into facility design, procedures, and day-to-day operations.     RESPONSIBILITIES   Criticality Safety Program Ownership  

Develop, implement, and maintain the nuclear criticality safety program   

Establish criticality safety policies, procedures, and controls aligned with regulatory and industry standards   

Ensure integration of criticality safety requirements into operations, engineering, and facility design   

Maintain documentation, evaluations, and program records in an audit-ready state   

  Technical Authority & Analysis  

Perform and review criticality safety evaluations (CSEs) for processes involving fissile materials   

Define safe operating limits, controls, and administrative requirements   

Evaluate changes to processes, equipment, or materials for criticality safety impact   

Provide technical guidance on geometry control, moderation control, mass limits, and spacing requirements   

  Operational Oversight  

Support and monitor operations involving fissile material handling, processing, and storage   

Ensure criticality safety controls are properly implemented and maintained in the field   

Provide oversight for new process startup, modifications, and abnormal conditions   

Participate in work planning and hazard analysis for activities involving nuclear materials   

  Compliance & Regulatory Interface  

Ensure compliance with applicable DOE, NRC, and ANSI/ANS criticality safety standards   

Support internal and external audits, assessments, and regulatory inspections   

Interface with regulatory bodies and provide technical support during reviews and inquiries   

Maintain readiness for inspections and demonstrate program effectiveness   

  Training & Culture  

Develop and support criticality safety training programs for operations and technical personnel   

Ensure personnel understand and adhere to criticality safety requirements   

Promote a strong nuclear safety culture with emphasis on conservative decision-making   

  Incident Prevention & Response  

Support investigation of criticality safety events, near misses, or deviations   

Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions   

Ensure lessons learned are incorporated into procedures and training  

  SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS    

Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering or a related field (Master’s or PhD preferred)   

7+ years of experience in nuclear criticality safety or related nuclear safety roles   

Demonstrated experience performing criticality safety evaluations and analyses   

Strong understanding of criticality safety principles and controls (mass, geometry, moderation, interaction)   

Familiarity with applicable standards (ANSI/ANS-8 series, DOE/NRC guidance)   

Experience working in fuel fabrication, nuclear materials processing, or similar environments   

Strong technical judgment and ability to make conservative safety decisions   

Ability to work closely with operations, engineering, and regulatory stakeholders   

Experience supporting audits and regulatory interactions  

  BENEFITS  

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance  

Health Savings Account  

Disability and Life Insurance  

401(k) Plan  

Paid Time Off and Holidays  

    WORK ENVIRONMENT   This role is based on-site in Idaho Falls, ID   and involves regular presence in manufacturing, laboratory, and controlled areas where fissile materials are handled.   The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.   The position requires close interaction with operations and engineering teams, oversight of active processes, and participation in safety reviews and assessments. Use of PPE and adherence to all radiological and safety requirements is mandatory. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   Standard Nuclear embraces equal opportunity and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.   To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.