Design Architect

Design Architect

Overview

Step into a career-defining opportunity with Orano USA, a global leader in nuclear innovation, as we launch Project IKE—a cutting-edge uranium enrichment facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. As the Design Architect, you’ll be at the forefront of building one of the most advanced clean energy infrastructures in the country.

This isn't just another Design Architect role. You'll serve as the Owner's Architectural Authority for Project IKE, accountable for establishing, governing, and assuring the architectural design baseline of a multi-billion-dollar uranium enrichment facility that will power America's energy independence. Operating at the owner level, you will oversee EPC contractors and design partners, ensuring every architectural decision supports plant performance, security and safeguards obligations, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and govern the Architectural Design Basis, aligned with process requirements, criticality safety constraints, nuclear material safeguards, and physical protection requirements
• Define zoning philosophy across controlled, protected, and security-sensitive spaces, and review and approve EPC/contractor architectural deliverables
• Translate system-level functional requirements into architectural constraints, ensuring physical separation strategies align with safety classification and hazard mitigation
• Incorporate criticality safety constraints into room geometry, equipment spacing, and storage configurations, and ensure layouts support fire compartmentation, explosion mitigation, and chemical hazard containment
• Integrate nuclear material accounting and surveillance requirements, coordinating with security engineering on access control, surveillance infrastructure, and barrier systems
• Serve as the architectural focal point across all engineering disciplines — Civil/Structural, Mechanical, Electrical & I&C, Fire Protection, Security, and Safety & Licensing
• Support EPC during constructability reviews, modularization strategies, and phased construction, while validating long-term operability and maintainability

Requirements

All candidates must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for this opportunity. Candidates who exceed minimum qualifications may be considered for a higher-level position.

• Degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Architectural Engineering
• 10+ years of experience in complex industrial facilities
• Experience in nuclear fuel cycle, high-hazard chemical plants, or similar environments preferred
• Owner-side or Design Authority organization experience strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of industrial facility layout planning, confinement and pressure zoning, fire compartmentation, and security-sensitive facility planning
• Familiarity with safeguards obligations, inspection constraints, and systems engineering principles
• Systems thinking mindset with strong interface management, documentation discipline, and the ability to challenge contractor design solutions

If you’re ready to lead with purpose, solve big engineering challenges, and leave a legacy in sustainable energy—Project IKE is calling.

This position requires access to classified national security information. In accordance with U.S. government regulations governing such access, only U.S. citizens (natural born or naturalized) are eligible for a security clearance. Applicants must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a clearance to access classified national security information.

Orano Group

Working on current and future challenges to power and preserve our world, build the one of tomorrow, and improve life for our communities - that’s exciting for you. For us, too. By joining Orano, a leading international player in the nuclear sector, you’re in the right place.

Every day, employees at Orano work to produce efficient and reliable nuclear energy, fight climate change, find solutions that conserve natural resources, and advance progress in healthcare.

Our strengths are throughout the entire nuclear fuel cycle: mastery of cutting-edge technologies, safe and high value-added products and services, specialized expertise, and strong innovation capabilities. These are just some of the qualities that showcase the exceptional skills of our 18,000 employees and their continuous learning, which we support. Diverse in profiles and experience - proof of our openness to all talent - they share the same ambition: to unlock the full value of nuclear energy.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

This position requires a pre-employment background check and drug screening.

Orano is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Orano and all subsidiaries abide by applicable legal requirements. We ensure that all personnel actions such as recruitment, compensation, career development, benefits, and company-sponsored training are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, protected veteran, or other protected status.