Nuclear Materials Engineer

Idaho National Laboratory; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 90,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with employer match

Relocation package

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory seeks a Nuclear Materials Engineer to advance cutting-edge materials for energy and national security applications. Responsibilities include testing, characterization, and SME guidance on thermo-mechanical processing, with leadership across committees and supplier relations.

The role emphasizes qualification of nuclear materials, adherence to industry codes, and mentoring peers while overseeing project cost, schedule, and quality assurance.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited degree in materials science and engineering or related field; 2+ years experience for Level 2.
• Level 3 requires 5+ years in relevant field or 2+ years with advanced degree.
• U.S. citizenship per DOE access requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support materials testing and characterization for multiple programs.
• Design and execute mechanical properties testing on irradiated materials.
• Perform microstructural analysis using SEM/TEM/EBSD and optical microscopy.
• Review requirements, designs, codes, and tests; supervise project execution.

Skills

Materials science

Mechanical testing

Nuclear materials

Computational methods

Programming

Thermo-mechanical processing

Team leadership

Quality assurance

Code & standards

Education

ABET-accredited BS/MS in MSE

PhD in materials science/mechanical engineering

Tools

Optical microscopy

SEM

TEM

EBSD

CAD

Job description

Job Description

Idaho National Laboratory seeks Nuclear Materials Engineers to push the boundaries of innovation by developing cutting-edge materials that power America's energy and national security future, from nuclear propulsion to space exploration. You'll support materials testing and characterization for multiple research programs, act as subject matter expert on thermo-mechanical processing of materials, review requirements, designs, codes, and tests, and provide production parameters to ensure consistent quality and performance. Your work includes participating in and leading technical design and testing committees to meet customer needs, providing technical solutions and positioning the organization for strategic business ventures, maintaining product configuration management and updating specifications, and procuring items according to requirements. You'll enhance teamwork to meet sponsor needs and develop customer relationships, oversee execution of assigned projects including cost, schedule, and quality assurance, and mentor peers and junior staff in technical growth.

Job Description

Idaho National Laboratory seeks Nuclear Materials Engineers to push the boundaries of innovation by developing cutting-edge materials that power America's energy and national security future, from nuclear propulsion to space exploration. You'll support materials testing and characterization for multiple research programs, act as subject matter expert on thermo-mechanical processing of materials, review requirements, designs, codes, and tests, and provide production parameters to ensure consistent quality and performance. Your work includes participating in and leading technical design and testing committees to meet customer needs, providing technical solutions and positioning the organization for strategic business ventures, maintaining product configuration management and updating specifications, and procuring items according to requirements. You'll enhance teamwork to meet sponsor needs and develop customer relationships, oversee execution of assigned projects including cost, schedule, and quality assurance, and mentor peers and junior staff in technical growth.

Essential Job Functions

• Support materials testing and characterization for multiple research programs.
• Design, plan, and execute mechanical properties testing (e.g., tensile, hardness, fracture toughness, creep, and fatigue testing) on irradiated and unirradiated nuclear materials.
• Perform microstructural characterization using techniques such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and/or electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD)
• Support qualification of nuclear materials for reactor and structural applications, including code case development and technical basis documentation under relevant industry codes and standards, with contributions related to high-temperature reactor design
• Act as a subject matter expert on thermo-mechanical processing of materials.
• Review requirements, designs, codes, tests, and documentation.
• Participate in and lead technical design and testing committees to ensure development initiatives meet customer needs.
• Provide technical solutions and position the organization for strategic business ventures.
• Procure items according to Product Configuration Management requirements.
• Enhance inter-group interactions and teamwork to meet sponsor needs and develop customer relationships.
• Oversee the execution of assigned projects, including cost, schedule, environmental compliance, quality assurance, and safety.
• Mentor and support peers and junior staff in technical growth.

Required

• Level 2: Bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering or a related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET and 2 years of relevant experience; or an Advanced degree in materials science and engineering or a related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET.
• Level 3: Bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering or a related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET and 5 years of relevant experience; or an Advanced degree in materials science and engineering or a related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET and 2 years of relevant experience.
• Applicants are subject to the requirements of DOE O 142.3B, Unclassified Foreign National Access Program and require that applicants have U.S. citizenship.

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess

• PhD in materials science/mechanical engineering from a program accredited by ABET.
• Proficiency in advanced manufacturing, computational methods, programming, CAD, and thermo-mechanics.
• Experience with irradiated materials testing or nuclear materials behavior
• Hands‑on experience with TEM, EBSD, or advanced microstructural analysis techniques
• Familiarity with radiation damage mechanisms (e.g., swelling, embrittlement, phase transformations)
• Knowledge of ASTM standards for mechanical testing of nuclear materials
• Familiarity with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, particularly provisions related to high-temperature reactor design and code case development

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 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 50 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Position requires the ability to smell. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Nuclear Materials Engineer to work on our Irradiated Fuels and 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.

About Us

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.

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.

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

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.