Electronics Instrumentation & Control Engineer

Summary

This position is located in the following offices: NMSS, NRR, and OAR. The NMSS supervisor is Patrick Koch. The NRR supervisor is Michael Wentzel. The OAR supervisors are Scott Krepel and Alec Neller. This position is subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements. This position is subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

Duties

The successful candidate will perform the full range of duties that consists of reviewing complex electrical and instrumentation and control engineering safety and regulatory issues in the licensing review of operating and advanced reactors and fuel cycle facilities. Such duties include but are not limited to: Evaluates the design of electrical and instrumentation and control systems and components of operating and/or advanced reactors and/or fuel cycle facilities from the standpoint of functional capability, integrity, and systems operation under normal operation. Applies risk-informed approaches as appropriate. Performs studies of complex technical issues and problems within area of review and evaluates potential generic safety and regulatory implications. Evaluates industry-prepared technical and regulatory guidance for endorsement. Prepares reports containing technical bases and recommendations for resolution and presents them to management, where appropriate. Develops these reports into technical positions with supporting regulatory analyses and develops staff review guidance, regulatory guides, and/or Commission regulations as appropriate. Provides assistance and advice to the Office of the Chief Nuclear Reactor Inspector, the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, the Office of Advanced Reactors, the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, and the Office of International Programs on matters in the employee's area of review; serves on ad hoc committees, when requested, to lend technical expertise. Participates in audits and inspections as a team member to assist reactor and/or fuel cycle facility inspectors as needed to construction sites and operating facilities to address issues within the employee's area of expertise. Ensures that necessary facts are developed during audits and inspections to provide a basis for determining the quality of licensee or vendor performance. Prepares written inputs for the reports of audits and inspections and presents findings to appropriate agency management. Prepares presentation materials and makes presentations on complex subjects in assigned areas of responsibility. Prepares papers and reports on significant technical and regulatory issues for internal use, presentation at professional conferences, or publication. Participates in public meetings with licensees, applicants, industry working groups, and other stakeholders. Prepares and presents testimony in legal hearings.

Requirements

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. All information in your resume must be true and accurate. Conditions of Employment: U.S. Citizenship Required This is a Drug Testing position Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as demonstrated experience applying an engineering or physical science background to provide technical support, advice, and guidance on program or policy planning, strategic planning, or performance management; analyzing and evaluating issues to manage and advance projects; and coordinating with other organizations (internal or external) to accomplish a range of activities, such as program management, resource assessment, scheduling, program evaluation, policy development, or technical reviews. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following: Demonstrated knowledge of electrical engineering as well as electronics engineering instrumentation and control (I&C) systems, relevant to nuclear power plants, sufficient to independently review and evaluate the adequacy of safety aspects of the design and functional capability of complex electrical, instrumentation and control systems, and component design features proposed by applicants, vendors and architect-engineering firms. Demonstrated ability to independently develop and implement successful problem-solving approaches related to the design, development, or inspection of safety critical electrical and instrumentation and controls technologies, digital architecture and network communications, and/or software development processes. Demonstrated skill in the development of sound technical basis to achieve resolution of technical and regulatory issues related to electrical and instrument and control (I &C) regulations, regulatory guides, review guidance, design standards, and practices as they apply to the design, construction, testing, and operation of fuel cycle facilities or other nuclear facilities. Demonstrated skill in communicating technical information, ideas, and advice in a clear, concise, and logical manner, both orally and in writing, to a variety of different audiences (e.g., colleagues, leadership, representatives of federal, state, and local governments or agencies, industry representatives, oversight or professional groups, members of the public, etc.). A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate must be addressed in your resume. Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria. PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Evaluations

When the application process is complete, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. Your application will be evaluated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to any vacancy questions to determine your level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the job requirements. You must respond to all required application questions. If you are among the top candidates for this position, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for possible interview and selection based upon the number of available vacancies to be filled in each office. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a resume that directly relates to this position.

Benefits

As an NRC employee you will enjoy excellent Federal Benefits, including: comprehensive health and life insurance plans; Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care; Dental and Vision Insurance; retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan); annual (vacation) and paid sick leave; family friendly leave policies; 11 paid holidays per year; transit benefits. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees.

How to apply Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin an application. To be considered for this position, you must complete the online application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 09/21/2026. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. For a preview of the application questions, please see https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13044590. To begin your application, select the "Apply" button located on the right side of this screen. Follow the subsequent prompts to log in or register, submit all required documents, answer the questions, and complete the application process. You may either select your required documents within your USAJOBS profile to upload with your application or directly upload them during the application process. The following types of document types can be uploaded: .gif, jpg., .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, .doc, and .docx. Important Considerations: Paper Applications: Paper applications will not be accepted unless you can demonstrate hardship circumstances through the agency contact listed below. Application Extensions: Requests for application extensions will not be granted. Hardship Assistance: If you experience hardship applying online, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below for assistance. You must reach out during business hours before the announcement closing date and speak with someone who can provide support for your online submission. The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the coordinator at (301) 415-5888 or TDD 240-482-3217. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Your complete application must include your resume, responses to all required vacancy questions, and any required documents that prove your eligibility to apply.

Other information This position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within the agency. Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service. The NRC is a zero-tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for these positions will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing. A transferable security clearance from another agency or a background investigation leading to a clearance is required for all new hires. To begin work at the NRC without a security clearance, you must be granted a temporary waiver of the required clearance, referred to as a 145(b) waiver. To be eligible for a 145(b) waiver you will need a favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks. If a waiver is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication is required for continued employment. If you have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the agency may not be able to (1) grant the 145(b) waiver where the required investigation cannot be completed in a timely manner, or (2) achieve timely completion of the background investigation required for a security clearance.