Materials Characterization Engineer (Oak Ridge)

Protingent; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

Protingent Staffing seeks a Materials Characterization Engineer to define lab capabilities, establish mechanical-testing methods for brittle ceramics and SiC, and develop NDE approaches supporting fuel qualification and processes.

Responsibilities include hands-on specimen prep, data analysis, and coordinating with national labs and universities to transfer validated methods into the laboratory setting.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in materials science, ceramic engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, applied physics, or related discipline.
• Experience in mechanical testing, NDE, materials characterization, advanced ceramics, SiC, CMCs, nuclear materials.
• Hands-on specimen prep, operating test or characterization equipment, developing methods, troubleshooting instrumentation, interpreting data.

Responsibilities

• Define laboratory capabilities, equipment requirements, facility needs, commissioning priorities, and phased development plans.
• Develop characterization plans linking testing to manufacturing performance and fuel qualification objectives.
• Establish mechanical-testing methods for brittle ceramics, SiC, coated particles, FCM fuel forms, and other advanced materials.
• Develop NDE approaches, including method selection, defect detection, resolution requirements, and correlation with destructive examination.
• Conduct hands-on specimen preparation, testing, instrument operation, calibration checks, data analysis, and method optimization.
• Support fuel qualification through pre-irradiation characterization, mechanical-property measurements, defect analysis, and documented results.
• Coordinate with national labs, universities, and testing providers, reviewing external data and transferring methods into lab.

Skills

Mechanical testing

NDE

Materials characterization

Ceramics

Nuclear materials

Fracture mechanics

Process-structure-property

Education

Advanced degree in materials science/related field

PhD preferred

Tools

micro-CT

Radiography

Ultrasonics

Optical metrology

Job description

Protingent Staffing seeks a Materials Characterization Engineer to define lab capabilities, establish mechanical-testing methods for brittle ceramics and SiC, and develop NDE approaches supporting fuel qualification and processes.

Responsibilities include hands-on specimen prep, data analysis, and coordinating with national labs and universities to transfer validated methods into the laboratory setting.