Development Metallurgist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Prescription drug plan

Vision plan

Dental plan

401(k) matching

Education reimbursement

Onsite gym

Onsite cafeterias

Job summary

Consolidated Nuclear Security seeks a Development Metallurgist in Oak Ridge, TN. The role leads R&D efforts focused on uranium materials, collaborating with engineers, scientists, and external partners to advance production technologies.

The position emphasizes complex project leadership, technical reporting, and liaison activities across multiple organizations to ensure NSE mission milestones are met.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited engineering/physical science bachelor’s degree is required or equivalently noted.
• MS or PhD in engineering/physical science is acceptable.
• GPA requirements are specified (3.0/4.0 for BS, 3.3 for MS, 3.5 for PhD).

Responsibilities

• Lead complex metallurgical projects from inception to completion with cross-functional teams.
• Present technical results to plant personnel and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with design agencies, vendors, and contractors to achieve objectives.
• Support production areas with technical oversight and troubleshooting.

Skills

VAR knowledge

Vacuum Arc Remelting

High-temperature processing

Material science

Engineering leadership

Technical liaison

Lab testing

Education

ABET-accredited BS in Engineering/Physical Science

MS in Engineering/Physical Science

PhD in Engineering/Physical Science

Job description

Requisition ID20144-Posted08/27/2026-Engineering- Level of Experience (2) -Travel - 30% or less- Job Location Options (1)

Location:Oak Ridge, TN
Job Title: Development Metallurgist
Career Level From: Senior Associate
Career Level To:
Organization: Metallurgical Eng & Proc (50000361)
Job Specialty: Core Engineering

What You'll Do

As a Development Researcher, the candidate will be responsible for conducting leading edge research and development activities with a specific application to manufacturing, production, or quality operations or similar national security applications. The position performs duties as a project lead, coordinating and preparing technical aspects of engineering projects from inception to completion including project reviews. The position conducts formal presentations to plant personnel and other interested parties. The candidate participates in the development, research, and/or design of new types of proposed improvements in production and formulation of broad programs and mandatory requirements. The candidate will serve as the liaison with representatives of the various design agencies, vendors, and contractors as required to ensure effective and necessary technical cooperation at all levels that result in the completion of assigned objectives.

Performs difficult and complex technical project assignments, analyzes impact of mission changes on assigned programs, designs and concepts. Recommends improvements and prepares technical specifications. Acts as a leader, advisor, or consultant as required in the design and application of products, processes, devices, and equipment with engineers, scientists, and other technical staff within the department and at other applicable locations as required for efficient and economical accomplishment of the Plant's assigned mission.

Recommends improvements in procedures and work control packages, technology utilization and automation, and analyzes the impact of mission changes on design or engineering concepts of assigned programs.

Y-12 has a long history of uranium research and development. The current posting seeks expertise in the production and characterization of uranium, uranium alloys, and their associated materials. The role includes evaluation, analysis, recordkeeping, procurement, working in a laboratory environment, testing of next generation equipment, as well as development of novel materials and manufacturing technologies. In addition to research and development activities, the job role includes interfacing with system and process engineers in the production areas of the plant to provide technical oversight and troubleshooting assistance for the various metallurgical processing capabilities to ensure that Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) mission milestones are met.

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.
  • 3.0/4.0 minimum cumulative GPA for Bachelor degree
  • 3.3 minimum cumulative GPA for Master degree
  • 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA for PhD

Preferred Job Requirements

• The position requires a deep understanding of Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR) in order to develop, monitor, and optimize manufacturing processes. This understanding includes the relationship between VAR equipment operating parameters and control and their effect on solidification processes and material properties.
• Experience with various high temperature processing techniques such as vacuum induction melting (VIM) and casting, microwave heating and melting, plasma and electron beam melting, and vacuum induction skull melting are desired for this position. Relevant experience with high temperature processing and casting of uranium/uranium alloys is preferred but not required.
• The position requires technical knowledge in technical principles, theories, and concepts of engineering systems related to material, design, analysis, testing, qualification, and engineering application of computers.
• The position requires the ability to clearly and effectively communicate through oral and written word, interpret experimental results, and convert the data generated into detailed written reports for both internal as well as external customers.
• Must be able to work collaboratively and build professional relationships between projects, among Y-12 organizations and design agency counter-parts as well as external organizations.
• Must have the ability to exercise initiative, independent judgment, and discretion under limited supervision; develop, manage, and report planned cost and scheduled work; and develop a plan for recovery in order to successfully achieve overall objectives
• Experience with various additional metallurgical processes such as heat treating, forming, rolling, swaging, and extrusion of various engineering materials.

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.