Lead Human Factors Engineer

Who is PALLAS?

Every day, 30,000 patients depend on medical isotopes from Petten. In order to guarantee security of supply in the future, preparations are now being made for the construction of the PALLAS-reactor and the realisation of the Nuclear Health Centre.

The Foundation Preparation Pallas-reactor (PALLAS) aims to realize a 'state-of-the-art' multifunctional reactor, which will be designed for the production of (medical) isotopes and for nuclear technological research. This reactor will replace the current High Flux Reactor (HFR) in Petten (NL). With the HFR, NRG produces medical isotopes with which doctors all over the world diagnose and treat life-threatening diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The Nuclear Health Centre will process and package medical isotopes into radio chemicals and radiopharmaceuticals (medicines). The development of this production facility runs parallel to the realisation of the PALLAS-reactor.

The Foundation NRG and PALLAS are working closely together. The management and supervisory boards of both organizations are now united, and steps are being taken to further integrate the two foundations. This will give the development of medical isotopes in Petten and the realization of the new reactor a strong impulse. NRG leads the world in research into new nuclear technologies. In addition to the new reactor, other initiatives are being developed. For an overview of these, we invite you to visit: https://www.pallasreactor.com/en/pallas-activities/.

PALLAS employs people from all over the world, creating a unique combination of knowledge and experience. We are constantly building on our safety culture and ensure that objectives in the areas of safety, security and quality are always met.

Function

As our Lead in Human Factors Engineering, you will be responsible for managing the implementation of a full scope Human Factors Engineering programme in the PALLAS-reactor project. This involves applying HFE principles in various aspects of the reactor project, including: control room design for reactor operation, fuel route processes, hot cell operations, potential implementation of automation in radioisotope handling processes and the design of logistics operations.

This job is a full-time (40 hours per week) position. You will report to the Design Assurance Manager and will work in close collaboration with the Engineering Manager.

Activities

As Lead Human Factors Engineer, you:

• Lead a team of contractors that is responsible for the realisation of Human Factors within the PALLAS-reactor project;
• Collaborate with systems owners and (overall) responsible designers to incorporate Human Factors Engineering (HFE) input into the PALLAS-reactor design;
• Are responsible for: 
  • Human Factors Engineering analyses; 
  • Specifying Human factors requirements in the design;
  • The verification and validation in respect of Human Factors (including design verification and integrated systems validation); 
  • The implementation of HFE in safety and production processes; 
  • Human performance monitoring; 
  • The application of Human Factors Engineering in Product Selection and Procurement.
• Manage an Operational Experience Review process to include the lessons learned from previous designs;
• Implement a Human Error Discrepancy (HED) resolution process to identify, track and resolve HEDs identified during the project;
• Are responsible for ensuring that the implementation of the Human Factors programme is done by (overall) responsible designers;
• Are responsible for aligning the Human Factors Engineering process with engineering processes such as Systems Engineering and codes and standards;
• Manage work packages such as the control room, strategic room, etc. that have an extensive Human Factors Engineering interface;
• Fulfil a Design Authority role, meaning you will be responsible for the acceptance of HFE information prepared by (overall) responsible designers, assessing changes to the design and ensuring Knowledge Management of the design within your scope;
• Are the owner of HFE, meaning that you are responsible for:
  • Defining, refining and substantiating PALLAS requirements for the design;
  • The scoping of the work the contractors should do;
  • Reviewing the design;
  • Identifying and mitigating risks to the design;
  • Overseeing the contractor to deliver a design that fulfils the PALLAS requirements within time and budget.
• Enable design decisions through using Value Engineering methods;
• Support the Design Integration Manager to enable an integrated design;
• Support the Design Assurance Manager to enable a traceable, verifiable and validated design that is under Configuration Management;
• Support the Safety Demonstration team to enable the preparation of the safety analysis report;
• Support other streams such as Construction, Procurement, Quality and Manufacturing;
• Report to the Design Assurance Manager by giving regular status updates on technical aspects (issues and risks) as well as the progress on plans;
• Prepare reports.

PALLAS considers personal development and sustainable employability important for its employees. Within PALLAS, you will work with and get the support from senior members of the Engineering team. You will experience that the work has a high degree of variation and challenges, with many opportunities to learn and grow.

Your profile

We are looking for a Lead Human Factors Engineer, located in the Netherlands (Alkmaar region), who:

• Holds a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or relevant field to Human Factors Engineering;
• Has knowledge of reactor design;
• Brings a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience;
• Has experience in large infrastructure projects such as Detail Design, Construction, Procurement and Commissioning;
• Has experience in implementing Human Factors in a high risk facility;
• Has training and experience in Systems Engineering;
• Has excellent oral and written skills in English;
• Can work accurately and has great organisational skills;
• Is self-reliant, assertive and knows how to paddle his/her own canoe – yet also greatly values and promotes teamwork;
• Spots work and opportunities, uses their own initiative and has a solution-focused mindset;
• Knows how to cope with stressful situations and has a flexible attitude;
• Has experience in modern digital control room design, implementing computer based procedures and managing HFE Verification and Validation processes from design through to plant operation;
• Is a good team player who takes responsibility of their own work and can interface well with others to ensure that the PALLAS-reactor project mandate is achieved;
• Is proactive in self-development (training, IAEA meetings, conferences).

You believe advice means questioning, thinking critically, planning and acting. You are a good listener, with a high degree of empathy for different stakeholders, and you have a hands-on mentality to get things done. You’re confident enough to challenge and advise against things that you feel won’t work, backed by your expertise in Human Factors Engineering.

Languages: English (fluently spoken and written). Dutch is an asset.

What we offer

PALLAS is a growing organisation and, as such, will present unique challenges and professional development opportunities for an associate in the area of Human Factors Engineering.

PALLAS offers a very competitive salary, depending on your education and experience. PALLAS will support you in becoming and remaining suitably qualified and experienced by supporting the necessary training and qualification.

You will be directly employed at PALLAS, starting with an annual employment contract. Based on the overall performance and results achieved, you will be offered the opportunity for renewal to an indefinite period contract. In addition to working with a fun team in a pleasant working environment, you will receive pension contributions, full coverage of your transportation costs, a business phone ánd laptop. PALLAS also offers you a Personal Choice Budget that could provide you with extra holidays. Finally, we work with a performance system that gives you the possibility for an annual salary raise in case of good performance!

At PALLAS, we care for health and well-being, safety, security and the environment, we act truthfully and professionally and deliver what we promise. We apply our unique knowledge and experience to benefit the society by taking interest in our stakeholders.

You will work in an international and professional environment in our office in Alkmaar. If you are moving from abroad, PALLAS offers a full relocation package.

Additional information

If you have questions about the position, please contact our HR department. You can send an e-mail to hrm@pallasreactor.com or call +31 (0)88 20 24 024.

An AIVD screening (level B) is part of the selection process. More information about the screening can be found on: https://english.aivd.nl/.

A personality test and/or English language proficiency assessment may be administered if deemed necessary.

Applications

Are you interested in a challenging job in a nuclear and technological environment? Then you are the Lead Human Factors Engineer PALLAS is looking for!

Please send us your application by e-mail (hrm@pallasreactor.com), with your motivation letter ánd CV attached. We are looking forward towards receiving your application!

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.