Employment Category
Regular Full-Time
Founded in 2002, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.
The NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders who are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. In 2024, the NWMO selected Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON)-Ignace area as the site for our Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for used nuclear fuel.
This decision means our office and staff will, in the future, be relocating to Ignace, Ont., and the DGR will be situated in the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area. Infrastructure planning and development are underway to support this transition and ensure that both the community and our employees are well served and supported, now and in the future.
Engineer/Scientist/Technical Officer – Used Fuel Transportation
Fulltime – One (1) Position Available
Position Location: Toronto Head Office
We are currently seeking an Engineer/Scientist/Technical Officer to join our Engineering team. This is a Progression-in-Place role. Applicants with more qualifications or experience are encouraged to apply and may be considered for a position at a higher rate and be progressed-in-place.
Reporting to the Manager, Used Fuel Transportation, you will be part of a talented team working on a comprehensive transportation program for the safe and secure transport of Canada’s used nuclear fuel to the Deep Geological Repository located in the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area, over a multi-decade campaign. This program will consider and address the many aspects of transporting radioactive materials, including but not limited to: transport packages, equipment, logistics, operations, security, safeguards, emergency management, routing assessments, environmental impacts, transportation safety analyses, dose and risk assessments as well as engaging with interested parties. While the focus of the role is within the Used Fuel Transportation team, additional responsibilities may include supporting other functions within the broader Engineering team; this may include, but is not limited to Nuclear Facilities Design; Engineered Barriers, or Mining & Repository Engineering.
Under the direction of the Manager, Used Fuel Transportation, carry out work assignments related to the development of NWMO’s Used Fuel Transportation program:
- Provide expertise, technical input to advance NWMO’s used fuel transportation program.
- Responsible for developing and maintaining approved transportation documents (engineering drawings, design requirements, technical specifications, operating procedures/instructions, etc.).
- Maintain integrity of the certification basis of regulatory-approved transportation packages by reviewing and updating the suite of design documentation in accordance with NWMO Engineering Management governance and supporting the development of applications for submission to relevant regulators.
- Support Life Cycle Cost the Used Fuel Transportation System.
- Collaborate with other engineering functions (Nuclear Facilities; Engineered Barriers, or Mining & Repository Engineering, etc.) to ensure consistency in transportation design assumptions are carried forward in future design iterations.
- Coordinate the procurement of goods and technical services (develop scopes of work, support tendering process, evaluate proposals, complete funding/purchase requests, evaluate proposals for contractor award, etc.).
- Manage contracts in the areas of transportation system design, logistics cost estimating, operations, emergency management, safeguards, security, routing analyses, transportation safety analyses, radiation protection/dose assessments, risk mitigation, etc. Provide oversight and technical reviews and feedback to contractors and their subcontractors to ensure technical content of deliverables is appropriate and that assumptions/approaches and deliverables are representative of NWMO engineering and transportation NWMO expectations.
- Be responsible for and support the preparation and administration of the budget on assigned projects, contracts, including financial activities such as forecasting, accruals and business planning.
- Review deliverables to ensure project quality expectations (e.g., content is appropriate and review/verification processes have been documented, and content of deliverables is technically accurate) are adhered to.
- Review and/or develop project work plans, ensuring health and safety requirements are identified, defining project requirements, defining project objectives, identifying/allocating resources for projects, defining schedules and providing oversight of project execution; specifically, project tracking and reporting.
- Appear before a range of interested parties (contractors, members of the public, Indigenous communities, government authorities, public officials, regulatory bodies, civil society and industry groups, waste owners) to present and communication used fuel transportation strategy and programs.
- Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team (engineering, design authority, communications, transportation engagement, security and safety assessment, etc.) as it relates to technical work in the area of used fuel transportation (developing responses to Q&As, reviewing videos/scripts, renderings/images, brochure development, key messaging, etc.)
- Keep abreast of the latest developments in the transportation of radioactive materials as well as updates to regulations through reference to relevant technical publications, and regular interface with internal and external experts, and research and educational bodies.
- Participate in NWMO engagement activities and technical tours as requested.
- Perform other duties as required.
- A four-year university degree in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent.
- Minimum 2 years of relevant experience preferably in the mechanical, manufacturing, nuclear, or transportation industry.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong planning and organizational skills and ability to anticipate potential risks to projects and proactively develop solutions to mitigate issues from arising.
- Effective project management skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to excellence.
- 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 interested parties.
- Proven organizational skills and attention to detail skills.
- Self-starter who can work independently, displays initiative, problem recognition, synthesis and problem solving ability.
Desired Experience or Assets:
- Knowledge of Canadian nuclear and international regulatory requirements for transport of radioactive material (Transport Canada, Canadian Nuclear Regulatory Commission, International Atomic Energy Agency).
- Knowledge of Canadian nuclear technology and/or CANDU fuel characteristics, emerging Small Modular Reactor (SMR) fuels, transport of low and/or intermediate level wastes.
- Knowledge of certified package design, testing and/or experience in modelling accident test conditions using computer software (impact, fire, water immersion).
- Experience in nuclear facility operations, radioactive material transport package operations, and/or Type B shipments.
- Experience developing engineering documentation (design requirements, technical specifications, engineering drawings, operating procedures, commissioning reports, manufacturing inspection and test plans, history dockets, etc.) and/or safety-related documentation (safety analyses, calculations).
- Experience in procurement processes for securing applicable goods and technical services (e.g., developing scopes of work, supporting the tendering process, establishing proposal evaluation criteria, completing funding/purchase requests, evaluating proposals, selecting/awarding contractor, contract close out, etc.).
- Experience in project management i.e., project charters, communications and change management, developing work plans, defining resources and project schedules, monitoring and reporting on project progress (cost, schedule, risk).
- Experience in contract management (e.g., managing contractor performance, providing oversight of work deliverables by external parties, ensuring quality of work by conducting in-depth technical reviews, interfacing and resolving technical issues with contractor).
- Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical specifications and procedures, governmental regulation, policies and procedures and technical reports.
- Impact assessment, environmental assessment and/or other regulatory, licensing or certification approvals experience.
- Background in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks).
- Familiarity with Canadian Standards Association N286 and International Standards Organization 9001.
- An understanding of both technical and social aspects of the APM program.
- Detailed-oriented, self-directed learner, who upon problem recognition, can synthesize information and proactively establish path forward.
Must be eligible to work in Canada and must be able to meet security clearance requirements.
We offer a competitive base salary, health care benefits and defined benefit pension plan.
Candidates residing in the Greater Toronto Area: Toronto Head Office Location until their role is required to relocate.
NWMO currently operates in a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office (Tuesdays being universal) and 2 days working from home.
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.
We review applications on a rolling basis and encourage interested candidates to apply at their earliest convenience to ensure full consideration.
The NWMO is committed to a fair, transparent, and efficient recruitment process. While we sincerely appreciate every expression of interest, only those candidates selected to continue in the recruitment process will be contacted directly.
