Chemical Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Medical benefits

Retirement plans

On-site fitness

Flexible work hours

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, TN seeks a Chemical Engineer to advance nuclear nonproliferation fuel cycle research within the Uranium Chemistry, Application, and Simulation Group. The role focuses on hands‑on laboratory research and translating results into technical reports, presentations, and journal articles.

The successful candidate will design, test, and commission new systems within projects and contribute to R&D efforts in nuclear fuel cycle processes, interfacing

Qualifications

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering or related field with 0-3 years related experience.
• Proven communication skills.
• The ability to work flexible hours and travel.
• Knowledge in chemical engineering design processes including System Requirements Documents, Process Flow Diagrams, Material and Energy Balances, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams.
• Demonstrated familiarity with performing experiments and following the scientific method.
• Familiarity with the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with principal investigators and project management to design, fabricate, assemble, and operate nuclear fuel cycle unit operations and processes.
• Design, test, and commission new systems and architectures within projects.
• Contribute to R&D projects involving nuclear fuel cycle processes.

Skills

Chemical engineering degree

Communication skills

Willingness to travel

Design knowledge

Nuclear fuel cycle familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

PLC programming

Job description

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We are seeking a Chemical Engineer who will focus on nuclear nonproliferation fuel cycle research. The candidate chosen for this position will be involved in work supporting the Nonproliferation Stewardship Program and other related research efforts. This position resides in the Uranium Chemistry, Application, and Simulation Group in the Material Characterization & Modeling Section, Nuclear Security Materials & Signatures Division, National Security Sciences Directorate, at ORNL.

This position will spend time performing hands on laboratory research as well as effectively communicating the results of the laboratory research in the form of technical reports, presentations, and journal articles. This position will also require some design work to create the infrastructure to pursue the hands‑on laboratory work.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

The successful candidate, in collaboration with principal investigators and project management at ORNL, will be a participating member in projects that design, fabricate, assemble, and operate nuclear fuel cycle unit operations and processes. It is expected that this individual will leverage their knowledge and skills to design, test, and commission new systems and architectures within these projects. In addition to these responsibilities, the candidate will be a contributor to R&D projects that involve nuclear fuel cycle processes.

• Effectively interact with various ORNL staff as well as internal and external sponsors.
• Collaborate closely with co‑workers and management and to independently drive assigned deliverables to completion, with periodic alignment, feedback, and mentorship; to fully document work performed in the forms of technical reports, papers, procedures, and presentations; and to participate in the development of research proposals.
• The successful candidate will interface with principal investigators, management, engineers, scientists, technicians, operators, fabricators, and modelers.

Basic Qualifications:

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering or related field with 0-3 years related experience.
• Proven communication skills.
• The ability to work flexible hours and travel.
• Knowledge in chemical engineering design processes to include developing the following products:
  • System Requirements Documents
  • Process Flow Diagrams
  • Material and Energy Balances
  • Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams
  • Design Analysis Calculations
  • Specification Sheets
  • Control System Narratives
• Demonstrated familiarity with performing experiments and following the scientific method.
• Familiarity with the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in multiple nuclear fuel cycle chemical engineering operations.
• Demonstrated experience in chemical engineering testing process to include:
  • • Dissolution
    • Solvent Extraction
    • Ion Exchange
    • Oxide or Halide Conversion
    • Uranium Hexafluoride handling
• Experience with DAQ programming such as LabView or PLC programming.
• Experience and familiarity working with uranium chemistry.
• Experience and familiarity with working in radiological laboratory fume hoods and associated work practices.

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position requires the ability to obtain andmaintaina clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre‑placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80‑year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract andretainindividuals whodemonstrateexceptional work behaviors. The laboratoryprovidesa range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well‑being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on‑site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.