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
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.
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 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.