Electrical Safety Engineer 5

Electrical Safety Engineer

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

The Operational Systems Directorate (OSD) leads delivery of PNNL's 10-year, $1.2 billion campus construction portfolio—the single largest construction and modernization effort in the Laboratory's history. OSD oversees operations and facility services, maintenance, and infrastructure planning.

A team of nearly 800 staff comprise OSD, spanning in a wide range of disciplines, including craftspeople, engineers, construction professionals, technicians, scientists, administrators, and specialists. Together, they ensure that PNNL's assets, services, and OSD-led programs are managed and performing safely, securely, reliably, effectively, and efficiently.

The directorate stewards more than $250 million in annual budget authority; managing more than 2.5 million square feet of facility space across two campuses; overseeing approximately 200 regulatory program areas; and executing a multi-million-dollar facility and infrastructure project portfolio.

The mission of the Environment, Health, Safety and Security (EHS&S) Division is to minimize risks, assure compliance with regulatory standards, and promote a culture of safety, health, and environmental stewardship.

EHS&S focuses on reducing environmental impact, promoting employee health, preventing workplace incidents, and safeguarding physical and information security. Core functions include risk assessment, safety training, environmental stewardship, health monitoring, emergency preparedness, and implementing security measures. EHS&S fosters a culture of safety, maintainability, and continuous improvement, ensuring operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and long-term organizational resilience.

The Worker Safety and Health Program is seeking a motivated and experienced professional to be part of our Electrical Safety team. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic and collaborative environment, supporting cutting-edge science and contributing to unique, vital safety programmatic areas. This work involves complex and high-hazard research analysis to identify electrical risks and appropriate safe operations. The ideal candidate is responsible for identifying, analyzing, and mitigating electrical hazards in complex systems to ensure safety and regulatory compliance throughout the product lifecycle.

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in supporting cutting-edge science by analyzing and enhancing our Safety Engineering Team. The ideal candidate will be a senior electrical engineer who demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering a robust safety culture through both leadership and active demonstration. The candidate will also have experience with high-hazard risk identification and analysis, as well as complex project assessments.

Key areas of focus include:

• Conducting hazards analysis of complex electrical systems involving multiple high-hazard components, both nuclear and non-nuclear.
• Provide direct technical assistance in identifying, evaluating, and controlling workplace and research electrical hazards.
• Produces thorough quality reviews, assessments, analysis, and hazard assessments.
• Verifies contractor assurance activities through performance management are complete.
• Acts as an Electrical Authority having Jurisdiction in support of PNNL business and research.
• Provides implementation methods for various requirements.
• Interface effectively with staff and management at all levels, as well as external stakeholders, including DOE-PNSO.
• Champion a strong safety culture through active participation, mentorship, and effective communication.
• Enable cutting-edge research in a safe and responsible manner.

This position will be a key member of the Worker Safety and Health Safety Engineering team to develop and implement programs, policies, and procedures related to electrical safety according to DOE requirements and consensus standards such as NFPA 70 and 70E. You will team with the rest of the electrical safety team and other support organizations to develop and conduct training, communications, and quality assurance within the electrical safety program. The position provides solutions, advice, and recommendations to PNNL research and facilities staff. Collaboration is critical to promote a variety of scientific endeavors and operational activities.

Responsibilities:

• Implement Safety Programs: Oversee, implement, and assess the Electrical Safety Program as a subject matter expert.
• Hazard Identification and Risk Management: Establish systems and procedures to identify, evaluate, and control research electrical hazards, conducting risk assessments, identifying appropriate electrical safety directives to be implemented, and recommending mitigation strategies.
• Analysis and Assessment: Lead and conduct various electrical safety analyses, assessments, and evaluations of system designs, modifications, operations, and procedures to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
• Compliance and Regulatory Affairs: Implement all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, DOE Orders, and Standards, and qualify as the AHJ.
• Contractor Assurance: Complete all contractor assurance activities to verify programmatic compliance, effectiveness, and overall health through a variety of tools and methods.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Effectively interface and collaborate with research staff and management at all levels, internal and external customers (including DOE-PNSO line management and EHS&S staff), and regulatory bodies.
• Quality Assurance and Improvement: Drive continuous improvement in safety programs and processes by monitoring performance, analyzing metrics, and implementing assurance activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 9+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 7+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• PhD with 5+ years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or similar preferred.
• Professional Engineering License.
• Experience with Department of Energy AHJ requirements.
• Proven ability to analyze complex electrical systems.
• Experience with Electrical Safety Standards, including NFPA 70 and 70E.
• In-depth knowledge of DC power systems.
• Experience with design and installation of building power distribution systems.
• Ability to perform and review power system studies, including arc flash hazard evaluations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders and effectively present complex information.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and foster a culture of open communication and collaboration.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab's campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal