Principal Technical Advisor (Part-Time)

Edgewater Technical Associates is seeking a Principal Technical Advisor (Part-Time) to support the Savannah River Site. The role is on-site in Aiken, South Carolina, and the application deadline is 11/10/26 by Noon ET. This senior advisory position suits someone who wants to influence technical strategy in a regulated environment and who’s comfortable with flexible, part-time hours. Edgewater is a long-established engineering and technical services firm with a national footprint and a history of supporting major government programs. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Los Alamos, NM, the company operates five offices across the United States, including one in Aiken, SC. It works with the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and other clients on nuclear, high-hazard, and complex operations, delivering technical leadership and program support. The principal technical advisor will join a team used to handling sensitive, high-visibility projects and cross-functional collaboration. The role is a senior, problem-solving position that centers on shaping technical decisions and guiding program direction. Expect to influence major policies and processes, coordinate with outside experts, and represent the organization in communications with internal and external customers. It calls for independent work and sound judgment, combined with the ability to contribute within a team setting on programmatic issues that affect timelines, budgets, and regulatory compliance. Shaping technical decisions at the Savannah River Site In this position you’ll steer cost-effective technical responses to shifting requirements and run investigations when needed. You’ll push forward cutting-edge methods and technologies designed to mitigate issues before they become problems, and you’ll provide expert guidance on resolving unusually complex scenarios that influence future organizational directions and program operations. Most assignments are broad and program-oriented, often spanning months or years, though smaller issues may conclude more quickly. You’ll provide expert leadership to multi-disciplinary teams handling highly visible, business-sensitive work with complex problems, including budget, schedule, or regulatory considerations. You may work with external consultants or outside experts when necessary. You’ll help define the scope of new kinds of work and evolving technical program requirements, and you’ll work largely independently to ensure policies and guidelines are followed. You’ll represent the assigned organization on technical matters to internal and external customers, manage related correspondence, and engage with DOE-SR, DOE-HQ, and other external bodies as appropriate. You’ll also interact with oversight panels and boards in areas of technical expertise, propose strategic business goals and milestones tied to your areas of expertise, and participate in related strategic initiatives. You’ll help develop strategic plans for major program areas and for resolving technical issues, and you’ll stay current on job-related emerging technologies, serving as a communications hub for advanced technical theories and concepts. You may manage special projects that span multiple divisions or organizations, drawing on resources with initiative and within a team environment with limited direction. You’ll contribute input to programmatic improvement efforts and provide technical and operational input on documents like Authorization Bases Documents, technical reports, and program-level procedures, as well as training, procedures, and related support activities. What you’ll need to bring Must-have prerequisites - A solid foundation in advanced topics such as analytical chemistry, radiochemistry, non-destructive examination, reactor physics, statistics, or plant operations. - A bachelor’s degree in a physical science or engineering field, with 15 to 20 years of relevant, nuclear-related experience; if you hold a master’s or doctoral degree, the required experience can be reduced accordingly. - You must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” security clearance (an active clearance is not required to start). Nice-to-haves that could give you an edge - Extensive hands-on computer software experience and familiarity with administrative systems, plus prior work in facility operations and maintenance or in engineering or business-type functions such as finance, project planning/scheduling, information resources, or procurement. - Substantial management experience in these or related fields. - Possession of an active DOE clearance (L or Q) within the past two years. Pay, benefits and practical details The posting does not provide a specific salary figure. Edgewater describes compensation as competitive and notes a broad benefits package that includes paid time off, medical, dental, life, vision, and disability insurance, along with a 401(k) plan with company matching and full vesting from Day 1. The role is part-time and onsite in Aiken, SC, with an application deadline of 11/10/26 by Noon ET. Candidates must be U.S. citizens who can obtain a DOE “Q” clearance. The position involves interacting with DOE offices and oversight bodies, and it may include managing special projects that span multiple divisions. Applications are processed through Edgewater’s careers site. Edgewater emphasizes equal opportunity employment and seeks highly skilled professionals to support mission goals. If you’re interested, you’ll apply through the company’s careers portal at www.edgewatertech.net/careers. Edgewater notes it will not submit your résumé without first having detailed discussions and obtaining your permission to do so. They look forward to hearing from qualified candidates who want to contribute at the Savannah River Site. Tips to help your candidacy Put your most relevant education and nuclear-operations experience up front on your résumé since the role calls for a bachelor’s in a physical science or engineering plus extensive nuclear-related work; mention any advanced degree and how it impacts the required experience. Back up the must-have skill areas with concrete examples. If you’ve worked on analytical chemistry, radiochemistry, NDE, reactor physics, statistics, or plant operations, describe the problem, your approach, and the measurable results, especially where you reduced risk or improved compliance. Be ready to discuss leading multi-disciplinary teams and navigating regulatory or policy challenges. Have a few scenarios ready that show how you’ve steered strategic planning or major program changes across divisions or with outside consultants. Ask a sharp question that ties to the role’s strategic, cross-organizational scope. For instance: what top strategic technical issues should the Principal Technical Advisor tackle in the first year, and how will progress be measured against milestones? How to apply If you’re interested, follow the application steps via Edgewater’s careers site: www.edgewatertech.net/careers Edgewater will not forward your résumé without first speaking with you and obtaining your permission to do so. They’re eager to hear from qualified people who want to contribute at the Savannah River Site.