Responsible for the digital hardware architecture, design, and development of the ESBWR safety-related next generation nuclear measurement, analysis, and control (NUMAC-NextGen) distributed control and information system (DCIS) platform.
The Senior Engineer– ESBWR I&C NUMAC-NextGen Digital Hardware Design role is responsible for the digital hardware architecture, design, and development of the ESBWR safety-related next generation nuclear measurement, analysis, and control (NUMAC-NextGen) distributed control and information system (DCIS) platform. NUMAC-NextGen will support; reactor trip and isolation (RTIF) or reactor protection system (RPS), neutron monitoring system (NMS), process radiation monitoring system (PRMS), etc.
The NUMAC-NextGen DCIS hardware and software technology platform will be used to provide a variety of functions to support the safe operation of the ESBWR nuclear reactor. This includes data acquisition from various instruments in the reactor and elsewhere, filtering and algorithmic processing of plant parameters, logic and control, intra- and inter- system communications, self-diagnostics as well as report trip and self-test status to external systems, plus output signal to control actuators.
The new modular design will use a rigorous systems and requirements engineering approach. The majority of the circuits to be designed are significant upgrades of existing ones. However, the design will include a new CPU and reflective memory boards as well as an upgrade to the system bus and motherboard. The scope includes: instruments / sensors / transducers, analog-to-digital (A/D) input / output (I/O) signal conditioning as well as logic processing cards, motherboard(s), data communication buses, chassis, cabinets and interconnecting cabling / wiring equipment practice. The digital hardware includes; I/O cards with particular attention to extremely low level signals, diverse data communication cards, CPUs, and hardware design language (HDL), VHDL, and Verilog code for several custom programmable logic devices (CPLD). The software includes new real time operating system (RTOS), drivers for all digital hardware devices, general purpose or configurable application software. In addition, you will:
Operationally report to and collaborate with Program Lead – NUMAC-NextGen to define high level requirements, identify best available technologies to implement such requirements, design critical PCBs
Lead and perform, as technical subject matter expert (SME), other engineers through overall digital hardware design, development, and deployment process circuits, cards, PCBs, and integration with their equipment chassis
Ensure rigorous validation through inspection, analysis, and test [including highly accelerated life testing (HALT)] of all requirements, concept designs, preliminary designs, detail designs
Lead other hardware engineers in collaborate with software engineers for the design, development, and deployment of real time operating system, device drivers, and supporting test tools
Lead the design, development, verification, validation, test, and deployment of systems, components, and equipment by both performing and mentoring other engineers
Be knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced with use of laboratory equipment such as; oscilloscope, logic analyzer, emulators, etc.
Ensure all deliverables are; on-spec, on-budget, and on-schedule
Develop comprehensive work plan documents used as the basis for work authorizations, work plans, and schedule development
Integrate and use digital systems and software project engineering lifecycle development processes including requirements [i.e.; DOORS] and configuration management, baseline record or design reviews, independent verification and validation (IV&V) beyond the individual design verification (IDV), human factors, safety hazards, analysis, cyber security, quality assurance (QA), metrics, and documentation
Integrate with and use the plant, system or platform, and component level requirements and design document hierarchies, and schemas for technical deliverables
Ensure adequate functional, performance, and reliability goals and margins are defined and managed
Develop comprehensive test plans for unit, module, and environmental including seismic qualification (EQ)
Collaborate with and maintain productive working relationships
Ensure compliance with processes, design certification and licensing commitments, US and international industry standards and regulations, and specific customer requirements
Support LEAN Six Sigma, continuous process improvement, cost-out, and productivity programs
Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science or Technology, Physical Sciences, or Mathematics
Professional Engineer – Control Systems by National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
Significant experience with hands-on design, development, and deployment of microprocessor based, high reliability, harsh environment, real time operating systems involving single point failure criterion, dual-triple-quad redundancy and voting schemes, signal acquisition, data processing, inter-networking, separation human factors, safety hazards, reliability, simulation, cyber security, etc.
Significant experience in nuclear analog and digital instrumentation and control (I&C), monitoring, and electrical systems with field applications plus detailed working knowledge in safety-related systems, hardware, software, theory of operation, instrument set point and calibration methodologies, equipment environmental and seismic testing and qualification (EQ) to diverse industry standards [e.g.; IEEE, IEC, ASME]
Significant experience, knowledge and skill with IPC [historically Institute for Printed Circuits] standards for printed circuit board design as well as wiring practices
Significant experience, knowledge and skill designing circuits using schematic capture techniques and tools [e.g.; Altium, OrCad, AutoCad]
Experience, knowledge and skill using VHDL and Verilog coding techniques and tools
Experience with current US nuclear laws, rules, regulations, guidance, positions, memorandum, notices, bulletins, items, etc. [e.g.; 10 CFR 50/52, RG, NUREG, BTP, ISG, SRM, RIN, TMI]
Experience with industry standards such as IEEE in general and IEC Std. 60709, 60671, 60780, 60880, 60980, 60987, 60964, 60965, 61000, 61069, 61131, 61225, 61226, 61227, 61500, 61508, 61513, 61771, 61772, 62138, 62241, and 62340
Experience with regulatory affairs and licensing processes [e.g.; NRC, FDA, FAA/JAA, DOD] in general and US NRC specifically such as 10 CFR 50/52, NUREGs, BTPs, ISGs, SRMs, TMIs, and RG
Excellent PC as well as desktop productivity software [e.g.; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Project, Visio]
Experience in requirements definition engineering and management using commercial of the shelf (COTS) tools [e.g.; DOORS]
Clear thinker, detail oriented, insightful, quantitative, results oriented analyst and engineer – Able to make reasoned, sound, and timely decisions
Strong technical writing in general with focus on requirements and design documents
Strong communication, facilitation and presentation skills for technical and business audiences
Ability and willingness to take ownership and responsibility for scoping, planning, prioritizing, scheduling, budgeting, action tracking, monitoring, corrective actions, reporting, etc.
Self-starter with energy and positive “Can-Do” attitude – Proven track record of producing quality deliverables in a fast paced environment
Team player with cross- discipline and functional leadership knowledge, skills, and experience
Continuous improvement “mindset” with an ability to identify, influence, and implement better ways to do an activity or process
Working knowledge, expertise, and experience using LEAN, define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC), design for six sigma (DFSS), design for reliability (DFR), failure modes and effect analysis (FMEA), design to cost (DTC), and new product introduction (NPI) techniques and tools