Machining Process Engineer

Consolidated Nuclear Security; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Employer matched 401(k)

Education reimbursement

Job summary

Consolidated Nuclear Security in Oak Ridge, TN, is seeking Process Engineers to act as SME on weapon operation processes and related procedures. You will lead the introduction of new processes and changes to existing ones, perform process studies, and resolve issues impacting production, quality, and capacity.

The role emphasizes compliance with customer and safety requirements, readiness assessments, and supervision during start-up tests, with significant time in a production environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor in Engineering with ABET accreditation and 2 years of relevant experience (GPA requirements apply)
• Advanced degree preferred; willingness to work in production environments
• DOE O 426.2A experience or equivalent nuclear industry exposure

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME on weapon operation processes and procedures
• Lead implementation and changes to weapon processes
• Perform process studies and evaluations; resolve technical issues affecting production/quality
• Ensure compliance with customer, design agency, and safety basis requirements
• Lead readiness assessments and supervise start-up tests of new processes

Skills

Process engineering

SME on weapon processes

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

BS in Engineering/Physical Science (ABET accredited)

MS in Engineering/Physical science

PhD in Engineering/Physical science

Tools

GD&T/ASME Y14.5

Statistical process control

3D modelling

CNC machining

Job description

Requisition ID20169-Posted09/17/2026-Engineering- Level of Experience (2) -Travel - 30% or less- Job Location Options (1)

What You'll Do

Process Engineers function as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on weapon operation processes and associated procedures. They perform duties and tasks that are vital to ensuring the reliability and integrity of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile.

Process Engineers develop, maintain, and lead implementation of new weapon processes and changes on existing weapon processes. Process Engineers perform process studies and evaluations and lead efforts to resolve technical issues that may impact production, quality, efficiency, capability, and capacity. They participate and advise in training to operations personnel and maintain technical content in work control documents such as process descriptions and/or product specifications. They ensure weapon operation processes comply with customer specifications and requirements, including Design Agency requirements and safety basis requirements. Process Engineers are responsible for achieving approval for readiness assessments on new processes, including supervision during the conduct of start-up plans and ensure tests are conducted as written.

Position will support machining/fabrication operations in a production environment.

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. (Advanced degrees require a technical undergraduate degree.)
• 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.

In addition, the applicant must meet the requirements of DOE O 426.2A (i.e., Baccalaureate in engineering or related scientific major 2 years job-related, and 1-year nuclear experience; or a DOE O 426.2A alternative). DOE 426.2A experience requirements can be satisfied following employment. In the interim, newly hired personnel will not be assigned duties that could impact the safety basis of nuclear facilities. (Ref. DOE O 426.2A)

Preferred Job Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Material Science/Metallurgical Engineering) with manufacturing experience of at least 5 years.
• Must demonstrate the ability to handle complex assignments and to have good oral and written communication skills. Must be willing to work in a production environment and be able to interact and communicate clearly with hourly employees as well as technical personnel and management.
• Requires significant amounts of time in production environments.
• Candidate must be capable of performing technical assignments requiring originality and exhibit independence in utilizing engineering knowledge and experience.
• Must be able to review and analyze data and use statistical process control techniques.
• Must be able to interpret mechanical drawings and dimensional inspection results per GD&T/ASME Y14.5.
• Experience preferred in one or more of the following: CNC machining/grinding, CNC programming, 3D modelling, continuous improvement, etc.

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.