Composite Engineer
BWX Technologies, Inc.
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) is seeking a seasoned Composite Engineer and Team Lead for its Oak Ridge, Tennessee Enrichment Operations site.
You will guide design, analysis, and fabrication across the BWXT portion of the DUECE centrifuge program in a high‑security DOE/NNSA environment. You will develop composite structures for prototype, demonstrator, and production hardware, collaborating with mechanical, materials, manufacturing, and test teams.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
- 10+ years experience with composite materials, aerospace composite structures, or advanced composite components (or 5+ years with MS).
- Experience with composite laminate design, ply-book development, and multi-physics structural evaluation.
- Hands-on experience with autoclave layup, AFP/ATL, RTM/VARTM, or resin infusion manufacturing techniques.
- Proficiency with CAD/FEA tools such as CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, Abaqus, ANSYS, or Nastran.
- Ability to generate high-quality engineering documentation.
- Must be a U.S. citizen with ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance.
Responsibilities
- Lead composite design, analysis, and development, owning all composite structure deliverables.
- Develop laminate schedules and conduct structural evaluations under mechanical and thermal loads.
- Perform FEA tasks including linear analysis, buckling assessments, failure mode evaluation.
- Drive composite process development including layup planning, cure cycles, AFP/ATL programming, resin infusion strategies.
- Lead trade studies supporting materials selection, structural optimization, and requirements development.
- Coordinate composite manufacturing with internal fabrication teams and external suppliers.
- Support autoclave operations, layup troubleshooting, rework instructions, and shop-floor decision making.
- Contribute to NDI approaches, test planning, data analysis, and corrective action methodologies.
- Prepare documentation for design reviews including PDR, CDR, and manufacturing readiness packages.
- Maintain configuration control, engineering documentation, and compliance with structured engineering processes.
- Provide mentorship and leadership as the Composite Team Lead, ensuring technical quality and knowledge development.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. A U.S.-based company, BWXT is a Fortune 1000 and Defense News Top 100 manufacturing and engineering innovator that provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for global security, clean energy, environmental restoration, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With more than 7,800 employees, BWXT has 14 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers. Our company supplies precision manufactured components, services and fuel for the commercial nuclear power industry across four continents. Our joint ventures provide environmental restoration and operations management at a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. BWXT’s technology is driving advances in medical radioisotope production in North America and microreactors for various defense and space applications. For more information, visit www.bwxt.com . Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram .
We believe in empowering our employees and cultivating a dynamic workplace that fosters growth, collaboration, and technical excellence. At our Oak Ridge, Tennessee Enrichment Operations site, you will join teams working at the forefront of advanced nuclear manufacturing, precision engineering, and mission‑critical national security programs. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your career, you’ll find opportunities to challenge yourself, partner with seasoned experts, and contribute to innovation shaping the future of nuclear technology. Our work requires a wide range of skills, and we welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds and career stages who share a passion for meaningful impact and technical advancement.
As our Composite Engineer and Composites Team Lead, you will guide all composite design, development, analysis, and fabrication strategy for the BWXT portion of the DUECE centrifuge program. You will develop composite structures for prototype, demonstrator, and production hardware, collaborating across mechanical, materials, manufacturing, and test teams in a high‑security DOE/NNSA environment. This role requires strong depth in composites, structural behavior, laminate theory, process development, and configuration control.
On-site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (Q Clearance Required)
- Lead composite design, analysis, and development, owning all composite structure deliverables.
- Develop laminate schedules and conduct structural evaluations under mechanical and thermal loads.
- Perform FEA tasks including linear analysis, buckling assessments, failure mode evaluation, and correlation.
- Drive composite process development including layup planning, cure cycles, AFP/ATL programming, and resin infusion strategies.
- Lead trade studies supporting materials selection, structural optimization, and requirements development.
- Coordinate composite manufacturing with internal fabrication teams and external suppliers.
- Support autoclave operations, layup troubleshooting, rework instructions, and shop-floor decision making.
- Contribute to NDI approaches, test planning, data analysis, and corrective action methodologies.
- Prepare documentation for design reviews including PDR, CDR, and manufacturing readiness packages.
- Maintain configuration control, engineering documentation, and compliance with structured engineering processes.
- Provide mentorship and leadership as the Composite Team Lead, ensuring technical quality and knowledge development.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
- 10+ years experience with composite materials, aerospace composite structures, or advanced composite components (or 5+ years with MS).
- Experience with composite laminate design, ply-book development, and multi-physics structural evaluation.
- Hands‑on experience with autoclave layup, AFP/ATL, RTM/VARTM, or resin infusion manufacturing techniques.
- Proficiency with CAD/FEA tools such as CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, Abaqus, ANSYS, or Nastran.
- Ability to generate high-quality engineering documentation.
- Must be a U.S. citizen with ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance.
- Experience supporting NASA, aerospace launch structures, or defense composite programs.
- Experience with cryogenic composites, pressure vessels, or centrifuge hardware.
- Familiarity with NASA/MSFC standards or government‑regulated environments.
- Experience with NDI methods such as UT, thermography, or X‑ray.
- Experience scripting automation or analysis tools (Python, MATLAB).
- Experience with composite tooling, automated layup systems, or production environments.
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing, SPC, PFMEA, and corrective action workflows.
- Competitive salary and benefits.
- Flexible work schedules and paid time off (as applicable).
- Professional development, mentorship, and continuing education support.
- Inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives.
- Opportunities to support mission‑critical national security programs.
- Continuous technical learning and career advancement opportunities.
Pay: $99,410- $157,000
The base salary range for this position in Tennessee (US-TN) at the start of employment is expected to be between $99,410 and $157,000 per year. However, the base salary offered is based on local job market factors, and may vary further depending on factors specific to the selected job candidate, such as job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided at such time the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, the selected job candidate will be employed 'at‑will,’ unless employed at a location and in a position subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The company further reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment, compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and other market factors.
As a federal government contractor, BWX Technologies, Inc. and any subsidiaries, affiliates and related entities (“BWXT” or the “Company”) complies with all federal, state, and local laws and customer requirements regarding health and safety protocols. As such, all BWXT new hires will be required to adhere to applicable Company health and safety requirements within the workplace as a condition of employment.
All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Selected applicants are required to successfully complete a pre‑employment check and drug screening. In addition, the position may require the ability to obtain and maintain applicable federal eligibility requirements for access to classified/sensitive information or matter which involves an extensive criminal and financial background investigation, drug test, previous employment, and reference verifications.
BWXT is committed to the concept of Equal Employment Opportunity. We have established procedures to ensure that all personnel actions such as recruitment, compensation, career development, benefits, company-sponsored training and social recreational programs are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, protected veteran or other protected status.
Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineer, Thermal Engineering, Engineering, Science
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