Associate Chemical Engineer

Naval Nuclear Laboratory (FMP); Town of Niskayuna (NY); On-site; USD 63,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Flexible schedules

Tuition assistance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is seeking a Chemical Engineer for the Materials Manufacturing area within the Fuel and Poison Materials (FPM) unit. The position focuses on developing and testing fuel and poison systems, with emphasis on improving core performance, quality, and cost reduction.

You will collaborate with engineering, laboratory, and compliance teams to design, plan, and deploy equipment, model unit operations, and analyze data to verify process models.

Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters degree in a technical, engineering or science field.
• Experience in materials science, control systems and chemical engineering is preferred.
• Data analytics, design of experiments, and machine learning capabilities are valuable.

Responsibilities

• Work within a team of engineering, laboratory, facility, and compliance organizations to enable and conduct test programs.
• Plan, design, model/analyze, manufacture, and deploy laboratory equipment including nuclear, chemical, mechanical, structural, and electrical components.
• Develop models of unit operations and analyze data to test and verify process models and improve performance.
• Develop and fabricate unique materials systems up to small-scale production demonstration.
• Document progress, analyze results, and present findings as needed.
• Occasional travel to domestic vendors (3 to 6 times per year).

Skills

Chemical Engineering

Materials Science

Data Analytics

Python

LabVIEW

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree in a related field

Tools

LabVIEW

Python

Job description

Working at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory we foster pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, and Collaboration. Our company promotes a positive culture while ensuring the safety and reliability of our nation's naval nuclear reactors, and training the Sailors who operate those reactors in the U.S. Navy's submarines and aircraft carrier Fleets.

Job Description

NNL is seeking a chemical engineer in our Materials Manufacturing area within the Fuel and Poison Materials (FPM) unit; FPM develops new fuel and poison systems, and improvements to existing fuel and poison systems. Key drivers include delivering fuel and poison systems that enable ever increasing core performance objectives with improved quality and reduced cost. FPM manages several development contracts including contracts with the NNPP fuel and core vendors to execute this mission. This area is responsible for the research and testing of nuclear fuel and cladding materials including test design, specimen fabrication, and characterization.

Job Responsibilities

• Working within a team of engineering, laboratory, facility, and compliance organizations to enable and conduct test programs.
• Planning, designing, modeling / analyzing, manufacturing, and deploying laboratory equipment which include nuclear, chemical, mechanical, structural, and electrical components and systems.
• Developing models of unit operations, execution of testing and analysis of data to test and verify process models and utilizing of modeling to improve unit operation performance.
• Development and fabrication of unique materials systems up to and including small scale production demonstration.
• Documenting progress, analyzing results, and conducting presentations as needed.
• Occasional travel to domestic vendors (3 to 6 times per year)

This is a dynamic and innovative environment spanning from development to laboratory and factory deployment. The required and developed skills cover a broad range of capabilities, directly impacting the program. This position is targeted at engineers interested in the research, development, and deployment of equipment and facilities for the research production of novel nuclear materials, components, and systems.

Required Combination Of Knowledge And Skill

Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in a related technical, engineering or science field; or Masters degree from an accredited college or university in a related technical, engineering or science field.

Preferred Skills

• Degree(s) from an accredited college in Chemical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering or Materials Science and Engineering (or similar)
• Experience in Materials science, control systems and chemical engineering.
• Data analytics, statical design of experiments, machine learning.
• Modeling of Fluid dynamics and thermal transfer.
• Demonstrated software programming skills in LabVIEW and Python environments.
• Experience in the core material and core manufacturing technical areas
• Core material vendor contract and production oversight
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and concisely articulate technical work and detail to broad audiences to include senior management in written and verbal format.
• Demonstrated "can-do" proactive approach that displays self-motivation, time and project management skills, ownership, and personal accountability
• Practical leadership skills that include team building, influencing others, and setting priority and vision

Compensation And Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision & Voluntary Benefits
• Disability, Life & Accident Insurance
• 401(k) Savings program & Capital Accumulation Plan
• Personal & Medical Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Tuition Assistance for Eligible Employees
• Student Debt Benefit Personal Time Off Sell Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness Program
• Visit us online to view all NNL benefits!

Pay Range

$63,900.00 - $97,800.00 annually

Salary information provided is a general guideline only. Annual salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC (FMP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fluor Corporation. Naval Nuclear Laboratory personnel are FMP employees who work at four DOE facilities: Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, Kenneth A. Kesselring Site, and Naval Reactors Facility, and at the U.S. Department of Defense‑owned Nuclear Power Training Unit‑Charleston. FMP employees also have an established presence at numerous shipyards and vendor locations. For nearly 70 years, the Naval Nuclear Laboratory has developed advanced nuclear propulsion technology, provided technical support, and trained world‑class nuclear operators to ensure the safe and reliable operation of our nation's submarine and aircraft carrier Fleets. The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is a national asset solely dedicated to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. We rely on the dedication and innovation of our nearly 8000 engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel.

All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. FMP is a government contractor and maintains a drug free workplace and workforce. All candidates must be able to pass a drug test in compliance with FMP company policy and 10 CFR 707. Marijuana is a Federal Schedule I controlled substance and illegal under Federal Law. Therefore, FMP is required to test for marijuana.

Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other criteria protected by federal, state, or local law.