Senior Engineer (Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards CapDev Department)

[What the role is]

The Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science Group in the National Environment Agency (NEA) is the national authority for radiation protection in Singapore and serves to protect the public, radiation workers and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. Its Nuclear Safety Division is responsible for developing capabilities, plans and ecosystems to support national nuclear safety & security assessment, radiological emergency response, and nuclear regulatory development efforts. The division is also responsible for ensuring that Singapore fulfils its obligations to international conventions and agreements with respect to the safe and peaceful use of nuclear material and technology.

Singapore is studying the potential deployment of nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy strategy. Singapore will also need to prepare for the possibility of nuclear power deployment by other countries in the region. These endeavours involve conducting comprehensive studies and developing technical capabilities with respect to nuclear safety, security and safeguards (3S).

You will be a key member of the team that will play a pivotal role in developing core capabilities necessary to assess the safety of advanced nuclear energy technologies and develop drawer plans for safety requirements, standards and acceptance criteria for a potential nuclear power programme.

This is a rare opportunity to be at the forefront of Singapore’s nuclear energy journey.

[What you will be working on]

Nuclear is a complex and emotive topic, and requires a diverse range of expertise to fully assess its implications for Singapore.

By joining this team, you will have the opportunity to shape Singapore’s nuclear regulatory landscape, collaborate with international experts, and contribute to nuclear safety, security, safeguards and radiation protection capability building efforts domestically and regionally.

You will be part of the nuclear safety capability development team. This will involve:

• Building understanding and technical competency in nuclear licensing requirements and enforcement functions across the lifecycle of a nuclear power plant to enable development of comprehensive safety requirements, standards and criteria to regulate the siting, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants

• Building capabilities essential for evaluating licensee/vendors’ safety case submission

• Understanding the approaches taken by overseas regulators to verify that operators/vendors are compliant with safety standards and criteria

• Collaboration with overseas regulators and international organisations such as IAEA and OECD-NEA to gain insights and recommendations on safety assessment and contribute to regional efforts to build capability in safety assessment

• Keeping up to date with current international good practices, experiences, and new developments around nuclear safety, safety assessments and regulatory review of safety analysis

• Institutionalising knowledge and developing draft regulatory procedures and protocols

• Representing Singapore at international forums discussing nuclear safety and safety standards

• Participating in the projects to build up capability in nuclear safety regulation, including studies on nuclear energy issues to provide a regulator’s perspective

[What we are looking for]

• Experience and/or qualification in nuclear, mechanical, chemical, aerospace, electrical or systems engineering or related fields

• Applicants should have at least 5 years of relevant working experience

• Excellent analytical, coordination and communication (written and verbal) skills

• Able to translate technical expertise into clear, structured documentation

• Able to communicate with internal and external stakeholders in a clear and concise manner, and to build and maintain relationships with them

• Able to work in a team and independently with minimal supervision

• Able to adapt to changes and a positive work attitude

• Able to travel overseas for official trips and training attachments

• We are looking for a committed team player, with a strong interest to shape Singapore’s nuclear regulatory landscape