Materials Engineer

X-energy; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan with employer match

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Dev

Job summary

X Energy, LLC is seeking a Materials Engineer to join its Nuclear Engineering team in Maryland. The role focuses on qualifying and lifetime assessment analyses for materials in nuclear reactors and facilities.

Responsibilities include developing material qualification methods, selecting test methods and standards, and overseeing material testing programs to establish material properties and qualifications. A strong background in metallurgy, graphite, chemistry, or nuclear materials is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in materials engineering or related field.
• Level I, II, III experience levels described in the minimum qualifications.
• Experience in metallurgy, graphite, chemistry, or nuclear domains.

Responsibilities

• Develop methodologies to qualify and characterize materials for nuclear reactor applications.
• Support selection of materials, test methods, and codes/standards; prepare material specifications.
• Oversee material testing programs to collect properties and support material qualifications.
• Use engineering tools and simulations to assess microscale behavior and lifetime performance of materials.
• Prepare design and analysis documentation per procedures and industry publications.
• Develop verification & validation plans for analytical tools.

Skills

Metallurgy

Graphite

Chemistry

Nuclear

Education

Bachelor’s degree in materials engineering

Master’s degree in engineering (may be in lieu of two years experience)

Ph.D. in engineering (may be in lieu of three years experience)

Tools

Aspen

COMSOL

Job description

X-energy LLC conducts a thorough recruiting process and will never issue offers without interview to discuss qualifications and responsibilities. All applications will be submitted via our company career page, www.x-energy.com/careers/. We will never ask you to provide payment information as part of the recruiting process. If anyone claiming to represent X-energy directs you in a manner otherwise, please contact us at www.x-energy.com/contact-us.

Job Description

X-energy LLC is hiring a Materials Engineer to join its Nuclear Engineering team. This role is responsible for performing engineering tasks associated with selecting, qualifying, and conducting lifetime assessment analyses for materials in a nuclear reactor and nuclear facility.

Job Profile Tasks/Responsibilities

• Develop and implement methodologies to qualify and characterize materials, especially metallic alloys, graphite, composites, and welding materials for nuclear reactor applications including in high temperature environments.
• Support selection of appropriate materials, test methods, codes and standards, and prepare material specifications for component procurement.
• Inform development of and assist in oversight of materials testing programs to collect material properties and establish basis for material qualifications.
• Use engineering tools, including appropriate simulation software, hand calculations, and engineering judgment, assess microscale behavior, grain boundaries, surface effects, degradation behavior (corrosion, oxidation kinetics, neutron damage, etc.), and lifetime performance of materials.
• The role may include specialization in one or more of the following areas:
  • Metallurgy
    • Perform and assist metallurgical analysis for the alloys selected for metallic systems, structures, and components of X-energy developed reactors, including pressure vessels and piping, reactor internals, heat exchangers, and other systems and components.
    • Collect and use data to support the generation of constitutive material models and perform and assist structural integrity, creep-fatigue, and strain evaluations for metals at high temperatures.
  • Graphite
    • Perform and assist material degradation analysis for graphite and composite components of X-energy developed reactors, including graphite core assemblies, and assessment of as-manufactured, irradiated, and oxidized data.
    • Collect and use data to support the generation of constitutive material models / analytical tools and perform and assist structural integrity, cracking, dimensional change, and stress/deformation evaluations for irradiated graphite.
  • Chemistry
    • Perform system-level and component-level analyses to support impurity inventory calculation and assessment of oxidation, corrosion, and associated material property evolution for these and other relevant degradation mechanisms through the life of the reactor.
    • Collect and use data to support the generation of models / analytical tools and perform and assist oxidation, corrosion, particulate, and impurity inventory management evaluations for systems and components.
  • Nuclear
    • Perform system-level and component-level analyses to support assessment of radiation aging / embrittlement, and associated material property evolution for these and other relevant degradation mechanisms through the life of the reactor.
    • Collect and use data to support the generation of models / analytical tools and perform and assist radiation effects life assessment evaluations for system and components.
• Support the assessment of SSCs for response to environmental conditions at the direction of project leads.
• Consider effects of tribology and material property evolution on system and component design as a function of temperature and environment.
• Write and develop design and analysis documentation including design basis documents, technical reports, calculations, and drawings in accordance with applicable procedures, as well as industry publications and engagement in professional forums.
• Develop Verification and Validation (V&V) plans for analytical tools and support qualification of toolsets.
• Perform work in accordance with X-energy quality procedures for design and configuration management to ensure project quality requirements are met.
• Provide independent reviews and acceptance reviews of engineering deliverables and data.
• Maintain professional demeanor and behavior at all times in all forms of communication.
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager.

Minimum Qualifications

• Level I: Typically zero to two years of experience in an engineering role required.
• Level II: Typically three years of experience in an engineering role required.
• Level III: Typically five years of experience in an engineering role required.
• Bachelor’s degree in materials engineering, or related engineering discipline (e.g., chemical, nuclear, mechanical etc.) from an accredited institution.
• A master’s degree in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of two years of experience.
• A Ph.D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of three years of experience.
• Previous experience at X-energy exceeding performance standards may be in lieu of years of experience.
• Experience and/or knowledge in a minimum of one of the following areas:
  • Metallurgy
    • Experience with metallurgical analysis and strong familiarity with metallic alloy material behavior
  • Graphite
    • Experience with nonmetallic materials behavior (e.g. ceramic / composite / graphite / brittle materials)
  • Chemistry
    • Experience with assessment of oxidation, corrosion, and associated material property evolution for relevant degradation mechanisms.
  • Nuclear
    • Experience with assessment of radiation aging and associated material property evolution for relevant degradation mechanisms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using modeling and simulation software like Aspen and COMSOL.
• Experience designing or evaluating graphite and carbon-based materials for high‑temperature environments.
• A background in oxidation kinetics, corrosion science, or materials degradation mechanisms.
• Familiarity with laboratory methods for characterizing high‑temperature oxidation behavior (e.g., TGA, DSC, SEM/EDS).
• Prior work experience in nuclear, aerospace, or advanced energy systems involving graphite or refractory materials is a plus.

Location

9801 Washingtonian Blvd, Gaithersburg MD

Work Site Expectations

4 days a week in office

Travel Expectations

Up to 10% as needed

Hours

8:00am-5:00pm, Mon-Fri

Compensation

As required by Maryland and other applicable state law, X Energy, LLC (X-energy) lists the expected compensation range for a publicly advertised job opportunity based upon the job requirements (e.g. education/training, experience, skill sets, etc.). Individual candidates who meet the job requirements for the posted position will be offered a salary within this range based on their respective levels of education/training, experience, and other qualifications unique to them. Salary ranges may vary based on the specific office location and region referenced in the posting to take into consideration differences in cost of living and may not be reflective of all regions. Please note that compensation ranges listed for US job postings reflect base salary only and do not include benefits or other incentives.

Qualifications

• Level I: $80,063- 103,688
• Level II: $93,188- $122,063
• Level III: $131,250- $149,625

Position Job Classification

Full time - Exempt

Benefits

X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package that includes a 401K plan with an employer match, Medical/Dental /Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development policy that supports the continuing education of our employees.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

X Energy, LLC participates in E-Verify. Please visit the links below for more information about E-Verify and the protection of your Right to Work.

Right To Work Link: If you have the right to work, don't let anyone take it away (e-verify.gov)

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