Materials Engineer

Standard Nuclear, Inc.; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Savings Account

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Standard Nuclear, Inc. is seeking a Materials Engineer to develop and scale advanced materials and manufacturing processes for nuclear applications.

You will perform hands-on experimental work, evaluate material behavior, and help transition promising methods from lab to reliable production. The role emphasizes process development, characterization, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering, fuel development, quality, and operations to ensure repeatable manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years in materials development, chemical processing, advanced manufacturing, process development, pilot-scale production, or related environments.
• Experience with nuclear fuels, ceramic materials, powders, high-temperature materials, uranium-bearing materials, or related advanced materials preferred.
• Adjacent experience in advanced ceramics, specialty materials, batteries, semiconductors, aerospace materials, additive manufacturing, chemical process development, or high-temperature manufacturing will be considered.
• Hands-on experience with processing equipment, test campaigns, pilot systems, laboratory systems, or manufacturing development activities.
• Strong understanding of material behavior, process variables, experimental methods, process controls, and scale-up challenges.
• Ability to evaluate process performance, yield, repeatability, product quality, and material properties using data and technical judgment.
• Strong documentation, communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Support development and refinement of advanced materials processing methods toward repeatable manufacturing processes.
• Plan, execute, and document development activities, including test campaigns, process trials, equipment runs, and material evaluations.
• Evaluate relationships between process conditions, material behavior, product attributes, yield, and repeatability.
• Use experimental data, observations, characterization results, and engineering judgment to recommend next steps.
• Identify technical risks, process limitations, material constraints, and improvement opportunities during development work.
• Develop and optimize processing parameters to improve consistency, quality, yield, and process performance.
• Work hands-on with processing equipment to support installation, operation, troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to incorporate lessons learned into future production methods and requirements.

Skills

Materials development

Process development

Pilot-scale production

Technical problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation

Data analysis

Engineering judgment

Education

Bachelor’s in Materials Science

Nuclear/related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Processing equipment

Laboratory systems

Manufacturing systems

Job description

Standard Nuclear is fueling America’s nuclear renaissance at industrial scale. Our mission is to deliver the essential building blocks of nuclear power—enabling cost-effective, safe, and secure energy for the world.

The Materials Engineer will support development, testing, and scale-up of advanced materials and manufacturing processes for Standard Nuclear. This role is focused on materials development, experimental process work, technical problem-solving, and transition of promising methods from laboratory or pilot-scale work toward reliable production capability.

The Materials Engineer will work closely with engineering, fuel development, manufacturing, quality, characterization, and operations teams to evaluate material behavior,developand refine processing methods, support test campaigns, analyze results, and help define practical paths toward repeatable manufacturing. This role requires a hands-on technical approach, strong engineering judgment, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment where processes, equipment, and requirements may still be evolving.

Success in this role requires curiosity, discipline, clear documentation, and the ability to turn development work into usable technical knowledge that supports future manufacturing decisions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support development and refinement of advanced materials processing methods from concept, laboratory, or pilot-scale activities toward repeatable manufacturing processes
• Plan, execute, and document development activities, including test campaigns, process trials, equipment runs, and material evaluations
• Evaluate relationships between process conditions, material behavior, product attributes, yield, and repeatability
• Use experimental data, observations, characterization results, and engineering judgment to recommend next steps
• Identifytechnical risks, process limitations, material constraints, and improvement opportunities during development work

Process Development & Scale-Up

• Support transition of materials and chemical processes from development-scale work to production-capable manufacturing methods
• Develop and optimize processing parameters to improve consistency, quality, yield, and process performance
• Work hands-on with processing equipment to support installation, operation, troubleshooting, and optimization
• Support process control strategies, operating windows, and acceptance criteria for developing manufacturing processes
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to incorporate lessons learned from development work into future production methods, procedures, and technical requirements

Materials Characterization & Technical Analysis

• Work with characterization, quality, and engineering teams to evaluate material properties, product quality, and process performance
• Review characterization data, process data, test results, and production observations toidentifytrends and technical conclusions
• Support root cause investigations related to material behavior, process variability, yield loss, or product performance
• Help define testing needs, acceptance criteria, and evaluation methods for development activities
• Translate technical findings into clear recommendations for engineering, manufacturing, and leadership stakeholders
• Contribute to the design,selection, installation, and refinement of processing systems, tooling, fixtures, and test equipment
• Work with mechanical, process, manufacturing, and facilities engineers to support development projects and scale-up efforts
• Support equipment readiness, process trials, commissioning activities, and troubleshooting of development or pilot-scale systems
• Provide input on equipment capability, maintainability, process reliability, material handling, and scale-up considerations
• Assistwith technical specifications, process descriptions, equipment requirements, and process control methods

Documentation & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Document procedures, process parameters, test plans, observations, results, conclusions, and recommended next stepsin accordance withcompany and quality expectations
• Prepare technical summaries, development reports, process documentation, and supporting materials for internal review
• Communicate technical findings, risks, issues, and recommendations clearly to engineering, development, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams
• Participate in cross-functional problem-solving, technical reviews, project planning, and process improvement activities
• Maintain strong attention to safety, quality, documentation, and technical rigor in all development work

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred
• 3+ years of experience in materials development, chemical processing, advanced manufacturing, process development, pilot-scale production, or related technical environments
• Experience with nuclear fuels, ceramic materials, powders, high-temperature materials, uranium-bearing materials, or comparable advanced materials preferred
• Relevant adjacent experience in advanced ceramics, specialty materials, batteries, semiconductors, aerospace materials, additive manufacturing, chemical process development, or high-temperature manufacturing will be considered
• Hands-on experience with processing equipment, test campaigns, pilot systems, laboratory systems, or manufacturing development activities
• Strong understanding of material behavior, process variables, experimental methods, process controls, and scale-up challenges
• Ability to evaluate process performance, yield, repeatability, product quality, and material properties using data and technical judgment
• Strong documentation, communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills

BENEFITS

• Health Savings Account
• Disability and Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid Time Off and Holidays

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Work is performed in a combination of laboratory, manufacturing, and office settings.
• May involve standing for extended periods, working around equipment, or handling materials.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required.

Standard Nuclear embraces equal opportunity and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.