Chemical Engineer

Title Chemical Engineer

Position Number 39529

Company WA River Protection Solutions

City/State Richland, WA

Location 2505 Garlick

Posted 10/22/2024

Closes 11/05/2024

Regular/Temporary Regular

Full/Part-Time Full-Time

Job Responsibilities/Duties

Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) is the tank farm operating contractor at the Hanford Site whose mission is to safely manage 56 million gallons of legacy radioactive and hazardous tank waste and prepare the systems needed to treat and dispose of the waste.

The Technology Maturation & Analysis Group within the Chief Technology Office seeks a Scientist/Engineer to facilitate developing technology solutions for tank farm and RPP mission challenges. Devise, develop, and assist in implementing new technical and programmatic options that have the potential to improve the effectiveness of, and mitigate risks to, the overall RPP mission. This position may involve assignments across multiple aspects of the tank waste treatment mission. Technology areas this position may address include waste sampling and analysis, liquid/solids slurry transport, filtration, ion exchange, evaporation, vitrification, and cementitious solidification/immobilization of waste. The scale of technology maturation activities may range from laboratory bench scale to engineering/field scale. This role requires sufficient technical credibility and experience to act as an 'intelligent customer' for WRPS in its interaction with outside research bodies such as national laboratories, universities, research institutes and other technology providers. This work requires the ability to establish and perform in multi-discipline cross-functional teams to plan and conduct technology maturation activities, analyze, and interpret testing results, and manage product deliverables from national laboratories and technology providers.

The Scientist/Engineer will:

* Support development, evaluation, and analysis of strategies for effectively managing waste at Hanford.

* Manage scope, schedule, and budget for subcontracts with national laboratories, contract laboratories, and other technology providers.

* Coordinate technical and programmatic aspects of assigned scope with internal and external organizations.

* Work in an organizational team that encourages innovative solutions and technology development.

* Support developing technical and programmatic solutions that enhance the efficiency of the RPP mission

* Interface and develop relationships with WRPS management, DOE, national labs, contractors, and universities

* Perform technology assessments, evaluations, and alternatives analyses

* Manage technology maturation projects that address specific needs and requirements

* Identify, select, and manage technology and research providers (e.g. national labs and lab teams)

* Lead and provide technical oversight of subcontractor performance and deliverables

* Negotiate challenging yet realistic deliverables for subcontractors

* Perform in-depth technical reviews of laboratory and technology provider deliverables

* Participate on task specific issue resolution teams to mitigate mission risk and enhance mission efficiency

* Provide technical input to engineering evaluation studies that support RPP mission objectives

* Support development and presentation of mission enhancing proposals to senior corporate and DOE management

Required Qualifications

Grade 17:

Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Chemical Engineering or related technical discipline; and

Five (5) years of related experience

Grade 18:

Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Chemical Engineering or related technical discipline; and

Seven (7) years of related experience

Note the essential duties for this grade level are like that of the previous grade level, however the scope of responsibility is larger, and the expected level of performance is increased.

Grade 19:

Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Chemical Engineering or related technical discipline; and

Seven (9) years of related experience

Note the essential duties for this grade level are like that of the previous grade level, however the scope of responsibility is significantly larger, and the expected level of performance is greatly increased.

Desired Qualifications

* An advanced degree preferred to ensure an understanding of scientific and applied research.

* Experience in technology evaluations, cost/benefit studies, risk management, or flow sheet development.

* Experience in the nuclear industry (commercial, international, or DOE), technology development, or technology deployment experience.

* Working knowledge of nuclear waste management programs both in the US and internationally.

* Knowledge of DOE projects and experience with project execution in the DOE environment.

* Familiarity with DOE projects and Hanford Tank Farms, familiarity with WTP.

* Knowledge of basic unit operations supporting waste treatment (e.g. filtration, ion exchange, vitrification, evaporation, grout stabilization).

* Knowledge of Hanford waste characteristics and processes that generated the waste.

* Proven experience in the field of technology development and deployment.

Compensation & Benefits

In accordance with the company's philosophy on compensation for exempt and salaried non-exempt employees, WRPS takes into consideration a variety of factors when determining initial salary to include assigned job scope and responsibility, a candidate's qualifications as compared to internal comparators performing in a similar role, and the external labor market. A salary offer will be made within the targeted hiring range posted. Note a candidate's prior salary history will not be taken into consideration.

Hiring Range Minimum: $94,650

Hiring Range Maximum: $144,325

WRPS offers a comprehensive benefits package to include medical/dental/vision, short-and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) with employer match, and paid time off. For a full list of benefits please visit