Structural Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory - Oak Ridge, TN

Full-time - Mid Level

Oak Ridge, TN

5,001-10,000 employees

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Structural Engineer to join the Design Engineering Group within the Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities Division (NNFD). This position emphasizes nuclear facility and infrastructure design, where the selected candidate will collaborate with a team of Structural Engineers, System Engineers, Facility Safety Engineers, Facility Managers, and customers to support nuclear facility and research operations within the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate (ISED). The role is critical in ensuring the safety and functionality of high-risk facilities, contributing to ORNL's mission of solving the nation's biggest challenges through scientific discovery and innovation. The Structural Engineer will lead various engineering activities related to building modifications, including the design and support of utility and process equipment fixtures, platforms, walkways, stairs, fixed ladders, and crane and hoist support systems. Responsibilities also include preparing engineering reports, conducting structural analyses for seismic qualifications and blast effects, and performing facility walk-downs to inspect structures for damage or defects. The engineer will define design criteria, develop technical specifications, and review submittals from external architectural and engineering services, ensuring compliance with safety and design standards. In addition to technical responsibilities, the Structural Engineer will support project scoping and cost estimation efforts, playing a vital role in the planning and execution of future projects. This position offers an opportunity to work in a dynamic environment that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural engineering activities related to building modifications, utility and process equipment support fixtures, platforms, walk-ways, stairs, fixed ladders, floor load checks, crane and hoist support systems in both nuclear and high-risk facilities.
• Prepare engineering reports, studies, calculations, review, and approve internal drawings and calculations.
• Perform structural analysis to include seismic qualifications, high wind tornado behavior, explosion/blast effects, etc.
• Perform facility walk-downs to inspect SSCs for verification and/or damage/defects and provide engineered solutions when necessary.
• Work with drafting personnel and provide direction on design drawings for fabrication of SSCs.
• Define design criteria, develop technical specifications, and review/approve submittals from outside A/E services.
• Prepare engineering studies for scoping future projects and support development of estimates for management.

Requirements

• BS or MS degree in Structural Engineering (or Civil with concentration in structures, or related engineering field) under an ABET accredited engineering curriculum.
• A minimum of five years of demonstrated structural engineering experience.
• Knowledgeable and proficient in material designs such as structural steel, stainless steel, concrete, and masonry.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Working knowledge of the IBC/IEBC and their suite of referenced codes and standards, as well as structurally relevant nuclear codes, ASCE 4, AISC N690, ACI 349, etc.
• Familiar with the following DOE order and standards: DOE O 420.1C - Facility Safety, DOE-STD-1020 - Natural Phenomena Hazards Analysis and Design Criteria for DOE Facilities, DOE-STD-1073 - Configuration Management, DOE-STD-1189 - Integration of Safety into the Design Process.
• Experience with Autodesk Design Software (AutoCAD, Revit, BIM) or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of structural finite element modeling programs (STADD, GT STRUDL, etc.).
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Tools (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat.
• SQUG and/or DOE Walkdown Screening and Seismic Evaluation training.
• Experience with nuclear safety basis programs, configuration management programs, design solutions for nuclear facilities, safety requirements for nuclear facilities, and working under an NQA-1 program.