Readiness Assurance Leader

Location: Amarillo, TX (Pantex Plant) Job Title: Readiness Assurance Leader Career Level: Advisor Organization: Readiness Assurance (50993954) Job Specialty: Nuclear & Explosives Safety Analysis What You'll Do The Readiness Assurance (RA) department reports to the Quality Assurance Division. The department's overarching role is to manage and execute readiness activities that confirm a nuclear or hazardous non-nuclear facility, activity, or operation has achieved a satisfactory state of operational readiness that is safe, secure, and compliant. RA performs four core functions: Contractor Readiness Assessments (CRA), Implementation Verification Reviews (IVR) of new or changed Technical Safety Requirements (TSRs), scheduled TSR re-verifications, and Readiness Leader functions. The Readiness Assurance Leader position performs CRA & IVR Leader scope of work or the Readiness Leader scope as their primary role. This position may perform all RA functions and other duties as assigned, and reports to Readiness Assurance management. CRA & IVR Leader role: For CRAs, this role leads assessments and is responsible for planning, directing, and executing in accordance with Department of Energy (DOE) Order 425.1D and NPO( Nucelar Production Office)- Suppllemental Directive(SD)-3.4.3. The CRA Leader ensures that facilities, activities, and operations are prepared to commence or resume nuclear or hazardous work safely and in full compliance with requirements, safety management systems, and contractual obligations. This role leads IVRs with responsibility for planning, conducting, documenting the reviews and ensuring that safety basis controls, Technical Safety Requirements, and other commitments are effectively implemented in documents, procedures, training, and hardware, prior to posting to the Design Safety Analysis documents. Readiness Leader role: This role is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing all activities necessary to ensure a nuclear or hazardous facility is prepared to enter a CRA in accordance with DOE Order 425.1D and NPO-SD-3.4.3. This role ensures the facility, personnel, procedures, and management systems are fully ready for startup or restart, and that all contractual and regulatory safety requirements are implemented prior to the CRA. CRA/IVR Leader Key Responsibilities Assessment Planning and Preparation: Develop CRA/IVR plans defining scope, objectives, schedule, criteria, and methods in alignment with DOE O 425.1D and related policies. Coordinate with facility, line, and independent oversight management, while identifying and assembling appropriate subject matter experts for reviews. Team Leadership and Execution: Lead multidisciplinary CRA and IVR teams, assigning responsibilities, overseeing conduct of, and performing document reviews, field observations, interviews, and performance demonstrations. Assess or verify critical areas such as nuclear safety basis implementation, hazard controls, training and qualifications, procedures, emergency preparedness, and integrated safety management. Issue Identification and Resolution: Identify, validate, and document deficiencies, strengths, and opportunities for improvement to ensure operational readiness and effective safety control implementation. Facilitate timely resolution of findings, ensuring corrective actions are clearly defined, achievable, and verifiable in accordance with DOE and site expectations. Coordinate/communicate with DOE line management, contractors, and external oversight bodies to align expectations and resolve issues early. Reporting and Documentation: Prepare and issue final CRA and IVR reports that accurately and objectively reflect the scope, methodology, findings, observations, and conclusions. Provide clear recommendations on operational readiness or effective implementation, and brief all levels of leadership on results and safety implications. Readiness Leader Key Responsibilities Program and Process Readiness: Develop and execute a comprehensive readiness preparation plan in accordance with DOE O 425.1D and NPO-SD-3.4.3 requirements. Coordinate validation of procedures, training programs, hazard controls, and safety basis implementation, including leading internal Process Performance Demonstrations. Leadership and Coordination: Serve as the single point of accountability and SME for readiness preparation, supporting program/project managers across all relevant functions. Lead Readiness Certification working teams, coordinating with DOE line management and providing readiness status briefings to all levels of management. Readiness Verification and Evidence Management: Establish and maintain a readiness evidence library, ensuring objective evidence demonstrates implementation of Integrated Safety Management and nuclear safety requirements. Develop readiness metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools, and oversee mock reviews and drills to prepare for assessment activities. Issue Identification and Closure: Identify deficiencies and readiness gaps, support the development of corrective action plans, and verify their timely closure. Manage pre-start and post-start findings, ensuring compliance with DOE-STD-3006-2010 closure criteria. Department and Staff Development Develop and deliver training and serve as mentors to Readiness staff. Advise the Readiness management team in identifying and resolving complex, diverse issues, regularly engaging with the senior leadership team and coordinating with cognizant SMEs/stakeholders across the site, to develop a resilient organization. Drive continuous improvement in readiness assurance processes. Improve and maintain department policy, procedures, and documents. Ensure compliance with standard Pantex business practices (e.g., records management, TOPIC). What You Can Expect Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security Top-notch, dedicated colleagues Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization Career advancement and professional development programs Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives Minimum Job Requirements Bachelor's degree in engineering/science discipline: Minimum 12 years of relevant experience. OR Master's degree in engineering/science discipline: Minimum 10 years of relevant experience. OR PhD: Minimum 7 years relevant experience. DOE Order 426.2A Requirements In addition to the above requirements, the applicant must also meet the requirements of DOE O 426.2A (i.e., Baccalaureate in engineering or related science, 2 years job-related and at least 1 year nuclear experience, or a DOE O 426.2A alternative). DOE O 426.2A experience requirements can be satisfied following employment. In the interim, newly hired personnel will not be assigned duties that could impact the safety basis of nuclear facilities. (Ref. DOE O 426.2A) Preferred Job Requirements Minimum 30 years managerial, leadership, control application, demonstrated control knowledge and understanding, and demonstrated network relationships. Minimum of 20 years of Pantex and/or applicable DOE experience preferred. Current or previous qualification as a Readiness Assessment Team Leader (RATL) under DOE or equivalent federal/contractor program preferred. Extensive experience in DOE nuclear and hazardous facility operations, startup/restart readiness, readiness reviews, and operational & nuclear safety requirements; with integration of operations, safety and regulatory compliance; and experience in readiness tracking, evidence management, and corrective action systems. Technical mastery of readiness requirements (DOE O 425.1D, DOE-STD-3006-2010, NPO-SD-3.4.3), 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 830, nuclear and hazardous facility operations, independent verification activities, technical and regulatory knowledge, nuclear safety management, safety basis and hazard control implementation. Demonstrated ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams through complex readiness activities and independent assessments in high-hazard operational environments and to deliver defensible, high-quality results under DOE standards while balancing mission execution and safety imperatives. Demonstrated strategic planning, systems thinking, leadership, and facilitation skills. Strong organizational and project management skills. Proven analytical, problem solving, conflict & issue resolution and decision-making skills. Excellent communication skills including written and oral, business and technical – with the ability to engage and influence all levels within Pantex. Demonstrated independent & objective judgment with strong accountability and ownership mindset. Excellent interpersonal and teaming skills and committed to collaborative engagement with stakeholders and internal teams. Proven ability to coach, mentor and develop less experienced staff in high-consequence and complex operational and regulatory environments. Demonstrated commitment to instilling sustainable organizational capability and strong safety & quality culture. Why Pantex? You get #morethanajob. We encourage employees to achieve a healthy personal balance among home, work and the community. One of the ways we embrace work-life balance is by offering flexible work arrangements that provide alternatives to the traditional workweek, while still meeting business needs. Top talent and personal commitment mean more to our success than any other factors, so we reward our people with the kinds of benefits that make a positive difference in the quality of their lives. Benefits such as: medical plan, prescription drug plan, vision plan, dental plan, employer matched 401(k) savings plan, disability coverage, education reimbursement and many more. Want to stay healthy and fit but hate the cost of a gym membership? Take advantage of one of our onsite workout facilities and eat healthy in our onsite cafeterias. Much more than a workplace, at Pantex you can build a career that lasts a lifetime. Notes The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired. If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level. Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required. Position may require entry into Materials Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP). If HRP is required, candidate must complete a counterintelligence-scope polygraph, pursuant to 10 CFR 709. Medical requirements may apply. Pantex is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to being randomly selected for drug testing without advance notification. Pantex is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability or veteran status.