Development Pyroprocessing Engineer/Scientist

Y-12 National Security Complex; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Career advancement

Professional development programs

Wellness initiatives

Job summary

Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, TN seeks a Development Pyroprocessing Engineer/Scientist to apply inorganic, nuclear, and molten salt chemistry to uranium processing challenges.

Senior-level candidates will lead technical projects from inception to completion, prepare proposals, present findings to stakeholders, and develop advanced techniques for processing uranium compounds while ensuring safety and compliance with national security requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Physical Science with ABET accreditation and 2 years of relevant experience.
• MS in Engineering/Physical Science or PhD in Engineering/Physical Science.
• GPA: 3.0/4.0 minimum for Bachelor's.
• GPA: 3.3 minimum for Master's; 3.5 for PhD.

Responsibilities

• Apply principles in inorganic chemistry, vacuum sciences, and uranium conversion.
• Lead projects from inception to completion and present results.
• Develop and implement advanced techniques for processing uranium compounds.
• Analyze test data and write technical reports.

Skills

Inorganic chemistry

Nuclear chemistry

Molten salt chemistry

Uranium chemistry

Leadership

Project coordination

Uranium processing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Physical Science

MS in Engineering/Physical Science

PhD in Engineering/Physical Science

Job description

Location: Oak Ridge, TN

Job Title: Development Pyroprocessing Engineer/Scientist

Career Level From: Senior Associate

Career Level To: Senior Specialist

Job Specialty: Core Engineering

What You'll Do

This position requires the application of technical principles in the fields of inorganic chemistry, vacuum sciences, nuclear chemistry, molten salt chemistry, and uranium conversion processes; emerging technologies, theories, and concepts with the ability to interpret customer requirements, write technical reports, and implement advanced techniques for processing uranium compounds and related materials, and characterizing such materials; ability to analyze and interpret test results; and independently and accurately organize and track test data; perform duties as a project lead, coordinating and preparing technical aspects of technical projects from inception to completion including project reviews; and conduct formal presentations to plant personnel and other interested parties.

• Performs difficult and complex technical assignments involving uranium conversion chemistry, processing, process equipment, purification and/or material analysis.
• Acts as a leader, advisor, or consultant as required for uranium conversion processes and methods of analysis for uranium processing and associated compounds. Is able to independently build, function, and upgrade uranium process loops and associated technical instrumentation.
• Recommend improvements in guiding documentation, technology utilization and automation, and analyze impact of mission changes on design or engineering concepts of assigned programs.
• Present technical papers on uranium processing technology at Y-12 to stakeholders at design agencies, and contractors as required to ensure effective and necessary technical cooperation at all levels that result in completion of assigned objectives.
• Write proposals to plan, manage, direct, and conduct research activities on utilizing uranium processing technology and 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 in uranium processing while conforming to mandatory requirements.

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

Minimum Job Requirements

• 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's degree
• 3.3 minimum cumulative GPA for Master's degree
• 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA for Ph.D.

Preferred Job Requirements

• Masters Degree with a minimum 5 years of relevant experience
• OR a Ph.D. with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience
• Technical knowledge and experience in electrochemistry, molten salt chemistry, and/or uranium chemistry
• Experience establishing pilot scale, testbeds, or production scale chemical operations within the NNSA or broader nuclear industry

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 based on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.