Senior Vacuum System Engineer

Laser Isotope Separation Technologies (LIS Technologies Inc.); Tennessee; On-site; USD 144,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Performance incentives

Medical, dental, vision, 401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Laser Isotope Separation Technologies (LIS Technologies Inc.) in Oak Ridge, TN seeks a senior Mechanical/Chemical engineer to design and optimize vacuum systems for UF6 service. You will specify pumps, develop P&IDs, model gas flow, and coordinate with vendors to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.

Candidates should have an advanced degree and 7+ years in vacuum systems, with experience in corrosive/high-purity environments and simulation tools.

Qualifications

• M.S. or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience with vacuum pumps/systems in corrosive or high-purity environments.
• Expertise in vacuum pump technologies and system design.
• Proficiency with ChemCad, Aspen Plus, or equivalent simulation tools.
• Strong understanding of vacuum conductance, gas dynamics, and transient behavior.
• Experience with P&IDs, vacuum hardware, and trapping systems.
• Demonstrated vendor knowledge and equipment selection experience.
• Ability to translate simulation into real-world system performance.
• Strong judgment in vacuum pump selection in either corrosive or non-corrosive environments.
• Detail-oriented approach to safety-critical design.
• Effective collaboration with vendors, regulators, and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize vacuum systems including chambers, piping, and gas handling subsystems for UF6 service.
• Select and specify vacuum pumps based on performance and chemical compatibility.
• Develop and maintain P&IDs and system specifications.
• Model gas flow, conductance, and pressure profiles using ChemCad, Aspen Plus, or similar tools.
• Design and integrate cold traps and cryogenic traps for UF6 capture and recovery.
• Define materials of construction to mitigate corrosion and HF formation.
• Specify and integrate instrumentation for vacuum and cryogenic systems.
• Establish pump-down, purge, and passivation procedures to prevent contamination and moisture ingress.
• Partner with vendors; lead vacuum component procurement, supplier qualification, and vendor management for critical systems.
• Support installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and performance validation
• Ensure compliance with nuclear and safety requirements, including coordination with NRC and ISO vacuum standards.

Skills

Vacuum system design

ChemCad/Aspen Plus

Corrosive/high-purity environments

P&IDs proficiency

Vendor management

Simulation to real-world translation

Team collaboration

Education

M.S. or PhD in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering

Tools

ChemCad

Aspen Plus

Job description

• Design and optimize vacuum systems including chambers, piping, and gas handling subsystems for UF₆ service.
• Select and specify vacuum pumps (dry pumps, Roots blowers, turbomolecular, hybrid trains) based on performance and chemical compatibility.
• Develop and maintain P&IDs and system specifications.
• Model gas flow, conductance, and pressure profiles using ChemCad, Aspen Plus, or similar tools.
• Design and integrate cold traps and cryogenic traps for UF₆ capture and recovery.
• Define materials of construction (metals, seals, coatings) to mitigate corrosion and HF formation.
• Specify and integrate instrumentation (pressure gauges, temperature sensors) for vacuum and cryogenic systems.
• Establish pump-down, purge, and passivation procedures to prevent contamination and moisture ingress.
• Partner with vendors; maintain strong knowledge of UF₆-compatible vacuum equipment suppliers. Lead vacuum component procurement, supplier qualification, and vendor management for critical systems.
• Support installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and performance validation
• Ensure compliance with nuclear and safety requirements, including coordination with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission as well as ISO vacuum standards.

Education, Qualifications & Required Skills

Required

• M.S. or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience with vacuum pumps/systems in corrosive or high-purity environments.
• Expertise in vacuum pump technologies and system design.
• Proficiency with ChemCad, Aspen Plus, or equivalent simulation tools.
• Strong understanding of vacuum conductance, gas dynamics, and transient behavior.
• Experience with P&IDs, vacuum hardware, and trapping systems.
• Demonstrated vendor knowledge and equipment selection experience.
• Ability to translate simulation into real-world system performance.
• Strong judgment in vacuum pump selection in either corrosive or non-corrosive environments.
• Detail-oriented approach to safety-critical design.
• Effective collaboration with vendors, regulators, and cross-functional teams.

Preferred

• Experience with UF₆, fluorinated gases, or nuclear fuel cycle systems.
• Familiarity with laser isotope separation technologies.
• Knowledge of fluorine/HF materials compatibility and corrosion control.
• Experience with HAZOP, FMEA, or similar safety methodologies.
• Background in UHV or semiconductor-grade vacuum systems.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Working Conditions

• Onsite role – Oak Ridge, TN.
• Monday - Friday, Full Time; Occasional overtime is expected for ensuring deliverables.
• Ability to perform field work (stand, walk, climb stairs/ladders, don PPE, lift to ~30-50 lbs. occasionally).
• Periodic off-hours support for emergencies, outages, audits, or commissioning.
• Limited travel (<10-15%) to vendor, regulatory, or partner sites.
• Competitive salary (based on experience - starting range $160,000 annually), potential stock options and performance incentives
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), disability and life
• Paid time off, paid holidays and professional development support