Jacob P Platfoot

Bio

Jacob Platfoot is a Senior Accelerator Facility Safety Engineer supporting the Spallation Neutron Source. Since 2016, he has ensured SNS operations are performed in compliance with DOE O 420.2 Accelerator Safety. Using the Unreviewed Safety Issue process, he has evaluated numerous changes to complex facility systems and operations to ensure all operations are properly evaluated for hazards to workers, the public and the environment with appropriate engineered or administrative controls in place. He is also a primary author for the Safety Assessment Documents and Accelerator Safety Envelope and an active member of the accelerator safety community of practice for the DOE complex.

After completing his Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering at Tennessee Technological University in 2008, Jake began his career as a nuclear submarine officer, completing naval nuclear power training in 2009 followed by assignment to the good ship USS Newport News. After completing a deployment to the North Atlantic in 2011 and being selected as the Junior Officer of the Year, he was detailed to Submarine Learning Facility Norfolk, where he instructed and mentored dozens of prospective nuclear engineering officer students during their preparations for examination by Naval Reactors. This would be his final assignment as a naval officer as he chose to resign his commission and pursue a civilian engineering career in 2014.

This began in the Michelin Quality Leadership Development Program, where he was on a fast track to become the quality manager of a Michelin tire plant in North America. However, during his second year at Michelin, he secured a position at ORNL, and with it the opportunity to return to the Knoxville area where he grew up. He now uses his 15 years of engineering and operations experience to support the Spallation Neutron Source in providing the cutting edge neutron scattering capabilities that will deliver the scientific discoveries our nation and world need.

Jake and his wife, Beth, have been blessed with six amazing kids, which motivates him to be an active member of the Oak Ridge community, serving as Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 830 and leading F3 The Project, a free men's workout group with a mission to invigorate male leadership in the Oak Ridge community. He is also a devoted member of his church, Central United Methodist Church in Lenoir City.

Professional Experience

Oak Ridge National Laboratory - Accelerator Facility Safety Engineer - 2016-present

United States Navy - Officer - 2008-2014
Nuclear Training - 2008-2009
USS Newport News, Junior Officer - 2009-2012
Submarine Learning Facility Norfolk, PNEO Instructor - 2012-2014

Michelin North America - Quality Leadership Development Program - 2014-2016
Mixing School, Quality School, Quality Technician for Multiplex Extrusion

Education

BS Chemical Engineering - Tennessee Technological University, 2004-2008, Cookeville TN