Nuclear Materials Engineer

Search Jobs - INL Professional Careers; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 79,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory seeks a Nuclear Materials Engineer to advance innovation in materials for energy and national security, including irradiated fuels and structural components. You will lead testing campaigns, mentor staff, and participate in design and testing committees to meet sponsor needs.

The role emphasizes thermo-mechanical processing expertise, microstructure analysis (TEM/EBSD), and compliance with ASTM/ASME standards, with a 9x80 schedule at the REC facility and every other

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited degree required for Level 2 or Level 3.
• Level 2 requires BS + 2 years or MS with related experience.
• Level 3 requires BS + 5 years or MS with 2 years.
• U.S. citizenship per DOE requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support materials testing and characterization for research programs.
• Design and execute mechanical properties testing on irradiated and unirradiated materials.
• Perform microstructural characterization (optical microscopy, SEM, TEM, EBSD).
• Support qualification of nuclear materials for reactor and structural use and code case development.
• Review requirements, designs, codes, tests, and documentation.
• Lead technical design and testing committees to meet customer needs.
• Provide technical solutions and position the organization for strategic ventures.
• Procure items per Product Configuration Management.

Skills

Materials testing

Thermo-mechanical processing

Nuclear materials behavior

Microscopy (TEM/EBSD)

Code standards (ASTM/ASME)

Education

ABET-accredited BS in Materials Science or related engineering

ABET-accredited MS/PhD (preferred)

Tools

CAD

TEM

EBSD

Computational methods

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.