Liquid Metal Engineer/Scientist

Battelle Energy Alliance; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 79,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Battelle Energy Alliance in Idaho Falls is seeking a Liquid Metal Engineer/Scientist to contribute to the Tritium Fusion Materials team at INL. You will work on PbLi systems, perform engineering analyses, and help develop high-temperature test platforms and associated documentation.

The role emphasizes physics-based modeling, design validation, and collaboration with sponsors and operations. A multi-level posting recognizes different experience levels with a clear pay range.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited degree required, 2+ years for Level 2 or 5+ years for Level 3
• Experience with liquid metal technologies, PbLi for fusion systems is desired
• Ability to develop and validate physics-based models and analyses

Responsibilities

• Apply advanced nuclear engineering design principles and concepts.
• Develop and validate designs per requirements and standards.
• Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements.
• Support system startup, commissioning, and operation readiness reviews.
• Prepare reports and peer‑reviewed publications and present results at conferences.

Skills

Nuclear engineering knowledge

Analytical modeling

Technical communication

Education

ABET-accredited BS in Nuclear Engineering

Advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering (ABET)

Tools

PbLi materials knowledge

Job description

Idaho National Laboratory seeks Nuclear Engineers to shape the future of nuclear energy by leveraging cutting‑edge research to develop next‑generation reactors and systems that power the nation and beyond. You'll develop experimental requirements or packaging and handling requirements for apply advanced nuclear engineering design principles and theories, use best practices in design methodologies to develop and validate designs, and document designs to ensure conformance with requirements and standards. Your work includes establishing testing and quality requirements, ensuring fabrication and procurement align with design specifications, performing integrated analyses to meet experimental, storage, transportation, and facility safety requirements, and defending analytical methods and results in reviews. You'll support project interactions with sponsors and operations, develop and improve physics‑based mathematical models and analysis methods, prepare reports and peer‑reviewed publications, and represent programs through technical presentations.

Essential Job Functions

• Apply advanced nuclear engineering design principles, theories, and concepts.
• Use best practices in design methodologies to develop and validate designs.
• Document designs to ensure conformance with requirements and standards.
• Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements.
• Ensure fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement align with design specifications.
• Perform integrated analyses to meet experimental, storage, transportation, disposal, and facility safety requirements.
• Defend analytical methods and results in reviews.
• Support project/program interactions with sponsors, operations, and engineering organizations.
• Develop and improve physics‑based mathematical models and analysis methods.
• Prepare reports and peer‑reviewed publications.
• Represent programs through technical presentations and at conferences.
• Participate in professional development activities.
• Perform analyses of irradiation experiments and conduct research supporting nuclear processes.
• Support transformational fuel qualification efforts.

High-Temperature System Design & Deployment

• Support design of high-temperature piping loops, vessels, heaters, pumps, and instrumentation for high temperature fluids including Lead Lithium (PbLi).
• Perform engineering calculations to define hydraulic, thermal, and mechanical design parameters (e.g., pump head, pressure drop, heat loss, pipe sizing).
• Develop and interpret Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).
• Lead or support construction and commissioning of laboratory test platforms, pilot‑scale systems, and engineering demonstration skids.
• System Commissioning & Operations Support
• Support system startup, commissioning, operational readiness reviews, and troubleshooting activities.
• Develop test procedures, operating procedures, and technical documentation.
• Support system startup, commissioning, operational readiness reviews, and troubleshooting activities.
• Develop test procedures, operating procedures, and technical documentation.

Required

• Level 2: Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering or a directly related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET and 2 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or a directly related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET and 0 years of relevant experience.
• Level 3: Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering or a directly related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET and 5 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or a directly related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET and 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in the research, development, qualification, and deployment of liquid metal technologies, including Lead Lithium (PbLi) for fusion energy breeding blanket technologies and advanced nuclear reactor systems.

The ideal candidate will possess

• Advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or a directly related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET.
• Experience in nuclear fuels and materials, reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, core design, and analysis tools/methods.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job‑related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds without assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Liquid Metal Engineer/Scientist to work on our Tritium Fusion Materials team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our REC facility with every other Friday off.

• The pay range for this position is: Level 2 ($79,344 - $162,732) / Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• Multi‑Level: This is a multi‑level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self‑contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science‑based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

INL Mission

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.