Deputy Director Nuclear Technology Division
National Nuclear Security Administration
Listed Oct 15, 2026
About the job
Summary
NNSA - building careers while securing the future through engineering, science, and national security in an environment where your contributions make a difference. The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP), part of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), has the mission to develop the most advanced naval nuclear propulsion technology and to provide technical support for the continued safe, reliable operation of all existing naval reactors.
Duties
As the Deputy Director Nuclear Technology Division you will have the following duties: Directly represent the Director, Naval Reactors to high-level domestic and foreign officials associated with the AUKUS Pillar 1 initiative to transfer nuclear propulsion technology to the Government of Australia. Specifically, lead efforts to (1) transfer U.S. naval nuclear propulsion technical and regulatory knowledge and experience under the Nuclear Technology Division; (2) negotiating and establishing bilateral agreements and controls for radiation protection and radiological emergency preparedness for U.S. nuclear-powered warships serving as rotational forces or visiting Australia; (3) assisting Australia with outreach to federal, regional, state, local indigenous community, and non-governmental organization stakeholders concerning radiation protection, emergency preparedness, and associated programs ensuring protection of the environment and public; and (4) providing oversight and leadership in the development and integration of an Australian workforce that conducts nuclear propulsion plant maintenance work on U.S. nuclear-powered submarines in Australia. Resolving problems in all areas, the incumbent must utilize technical knowledge, tact, leadership, forcefulness, and diplomacy to influence decisions that are satisfactory to all, but that are particularly effective to achieving the NNPP goals. Directs and coordinates all work on radiological controls, radioactive waste disposal, emergency planning, radiation shielding, environment, health and safety, reactor plant chemistry, steam plant chemistry and reactor plant decommissioning and disposal under the cognizance of Naval Reactors. Improve execution of nuclear work to expedite completion of major maintenance availabilities, reduce crew burden and increase operational availability of nuclear-powered warships and critical training platforms. Manage and oversee the day-to-day operations supporting the duties and responsibilities of the Nuclear Technology Division. Develop long-range technical plans to meet Division and NNPP goals.
Requirements
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR THIS VACANCY: This is a career position in the SES. Unless the selectee is already a member of the SES with career status or are a graduate of an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) certified SES Candidate Development Program, your executive qualifications must be assessed and approved by OPM before you can be hired. HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE (HSPD-12): A selectee's appointment is contingent upon compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity. May be required to pass a pre-employment drug test, random testing after appointment. PUBLIC FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT (OGE 278): If you are selected for this position, will be required to file this report prior to entry on duty in accordance with the Ethics of Government Act of 1978. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You may be required to complete a one-year SES probationary period. Probationary periods are required for new employees appointed to a Senior Executive Service (SES) position for the first time. Employees serving on probationary period may be terminated at any time during the probationary for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service. SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. SECURITY CLEARANCE: Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance. DRUG TESTING: Subject to pre-employment/pre-appointment testing for illegal drug use under the U.S. Department of Energy Employee Drug Plan. If you are selected you will be provided information regarding drug testing. Failure to undergo testing or positive findings resulting from the test will eliminate you from further consideration for this position. If selected for and appointed to this position you will be subject to random drug testing while employed. MOBILITY: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and will be required to abide by NNSA's mobility policy. E-VERIFY: New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
Qualifications
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or MTQs. Only your resume capped at two (2) pages will be accepted and considered. Any additional documents submitted will not be accepted. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. MTQ 1: Knowledge of the most advanced principles of nuclear engineering, including chemistry, mechanical design, reactor materials, emergency preparedness, radiological controls, and radiation shielding as applied to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program's procedures and practices. Demonstrated ability to apply the above principles while directing activities on nuclear-powered ships and at Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program public and private shipyards, laboratories, and training facilities. MTQ 2: Knowledge and experience in performing regulatory field inspections of naval nuclear-powered ships and their support activities, including Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program public and private shipyards, laboratories, and training facilities. Demonstrated ability to convey status of compliance with key Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program principles, guidelines, and requirements with high level officials within and outside of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Mandatory Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and MTQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. 2: Driving Efficiency: Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. 3: Merit and Competence: Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. 4: Leading People: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. 5: Achieving Results: Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
Evaluations
Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) listed above. ECQs and MTQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.
How to apply Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration. Faxed or e-mailed applications and/or resumes will not be accepted. Requests for extensions will not be granted. All statements made in this application are subject to investigation and any false or dishonest answer to any question may be grounds for disqualification and loss of consideration. If your resume does not support the responses in your application questionnaire, or if you fail to submit required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'. The application process is as follows: You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: USAJOBS Help Center - How to create a login.gov account To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation. You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date. You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: USAJOBS - Login Gov Acknowledgement. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: USAJOBS Help Center - How to see your application and job status. If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center. If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots, if possible, to aid technical support.
Other information Veteran's Preference does not apply to the Senior Executive service (SES). OF-306: You may be required to complete an OF-306, "Declaration for Federal Employment" form used to (a) determine your suitability for Federal Employment and/or (b) in conducting an investigation to determine your suitability or ability to hold a security clearance. The U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Applications contain information subject to the Privacy Act (PL 93 579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361. The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged non-compliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at AdministrativeInvestigations@hq.doe.gov. The selecting official may need to consult Departmental ethics counsel to determine whether any of your former or current employers, affiliations, or financial holdings conflict with your ability to perform the duties of this position. If necessary, ethics counsel will work with you and the hiring office regarding potential mitigation strategies, if available. Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available. This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Federal (USAJOBS data) · Original posting →
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