Development Engineer (Chemical Engineer)

Consolidated Nuclear Security; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Onsite gym

Onsite cafeterias

401(k)

Job summary

Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) in Oak Ridge, TN, seeks a technically skilled engineer to lead chemical processing and materials analyses. You will plan and execute experiments, interpret data, and communicate results for advanced nuclear-related programs.

The role emphasizes collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, proposal writing, and ensuring quality through ICP/XRD/XRF techniques and related analyses.

Qualifications

• This role requires leading complex chemical engineering investigations and reporting.
• GPA requirements apply for recent graduates and supersede with experience after four years.
• Ability to plan, conduct, and document experiments and analyses.
• Experience with proposing improvements and documenting results.

Responsibilities

• Performs difficult, complex technical assignments in synthesis, processing, equipment, and analysis.
• Acts as leader/advisor for chemical process methods including ICP, XRD, XRF.
• Applies quality and statistical data analysis methodologies.
• Writes proposals to plan and conduct research leveraging Y-12 infrastructure.
• Develops pilot scale, testbeds, or production scale chemical operations.

Skills

Chemical engineering

Materials science

Chemistry

ICP

XRD

XRF

Statistical analysis

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering/Physical Science

ABET-accredited program

MS in Engineering/Physical Science

PhD in Engineering/Physical Science

Tools

ICP

XRD

XRF

Job description

Requisition ID19994-Posted08/31/2026-Engineering- Level of Experience (3) -Travel - 30% or less- Job Location Options (1)

What You'll Do

This position requires the application of technical principles in the fields of chemical engineering, material sciences, and chemistry. The applicant should be able to investigate emerging technologies, theories, and concepts while keeping in mind customer requirements. They should be able to write technical reports and implement techniques for processing chemicals (slurries and pure chemicals), and characterizing process change impacts. In conjunction with this, the candidate should be able to analyze and interpret test results; and independently and accurately organize and track test data. It is important that the applicant can perform duties as a technical lead, coordinating and preparing technical aspects of experiments and calculations from inception to completion.

• Performs difficult, complex, hands-on technical assignments involving synthesis, chemical processing, process equipment, and/or material analysis and characterization.
• Acts as a leader, advisor, or consultant as required for chemical process expertise and methods of analysis, which include but are not limited to ICP, XRD, and XRF. Experience with traditional industrial chemical processing techniques and wet lab techniques is preferred but not required.
• Understands and implements different quality analysis and statistical data analysis methodologies
• Recommends improvements in documenting results, technology utilization and automation, and analyze impact of changes on design or engineering concepts of assigned programs.
• Write proposals to plan, manage, direct, and conduct research activities on utilizing chemical engineering concepts leveraging existing infrastructure in Y-12 Development. Must have the ability to formulate and apply new methods to ensure accomplishment of tasks to meet quality, quantity, time, and resource requirements.
• Participate in the development, research, and/or design of new types of proposed improvements while conforming to mandatory requirements.
• Experience establishing pilot scale, testbeds, or production scale chemical operations in industry.

What You Can Expect

• Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
• Top-notch, dedicated colleagues
• Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
• Career advancement and professional development programs
• Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Physical Science [Chemistry, Physics, or related] from an Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program in the United States or designated equivalents from Canada or Mexico, the Washington Accord, or the list of substantially equivalent as documented by ABET AND 2 years of relevant experience. OR MS in Engineering /Physical science. OR PhD in Engineering /Physical science.

There is a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement up to 4 years post-graduation at time of offer and confirmed by transcript. Beyond four years from graduation, engineering experience will supersede GPA as a requirement for hire.

• 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA for PhD

Preferred Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering discipline with a minimum 5 years of relevant experience, OR Master’s Degree with a minimum 2 years of relevant experience OR a Ph.D. with a minimum of 1 to 2 years of relevant experience.

Why Y-12?

You get #morethanajob. We encourage employees to achieve a healthy personal balance among home, work and the community. One of the ways we embrace work-life balance is by offering flexible work arrangements that provide alternatives to the traditional workweek, while still meeting business needs. Top talent and personal commitment mean more to our success than any other factors, so we reward our people with the kinds of benefits that make a positive difference in the quality of their lives. Benefits such as: medical plan, prescription drug plan, vision plan, dental plan, employer matched 401(k) savings plan, disability coverage, education reimbursement and many more. Want to stay healthy and fit but hate the cost of a gym membership? Take advantage of one of our onsite workout facilities and eat healthy in our onsite cafeterias. Much more than a workplace, at Y-12, you can build a career that lasts a lifetime.

Notes

The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.

If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.

Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.

This position may require entry into the Material Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (10 C.F.R. Part 712), which requires successful competition of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation and may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.

This position may be categorized as a “designated position” identified by 10 C.F.R. Part 709, requiring successful completion of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation that may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.

CNS is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to being randomly selected for drug testing without advance notification.

CNS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability or veteran status.