UF6 Deconversion / Oxide Production Process Engineer

Protingent; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

Protingent Staffing is seeking a UF6 Deconversion / Oxide Production Process Engineer to lead development and optimization of UF6 deconversion processes and oxide production. You will oversee feed introduction, reaction control, drying, calcination, atmosphere control, and product conditioning, coordinating across teams to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance.

This is a full-time role in Oak Ridge, TN, onsite, with government contract requirements restricting eligibility to U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, nuclear engineering, chemistry, materials science, ceramic engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience with uranium oxide production, deconversion, thermal processing, powder processing, chemical reaction engineering, or comparable materials manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory, bench, pilot, or demonstration systems involving reactors, furnaces, drying, powder handling, sampling, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to connect process variables to powder chemistry and physical properties and evaluate suitability for downstream processing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize UF6 deconversion processes, including feed introduction, reaction control, intermediate handling, oxide formation, and product conditioning.
• Evaluate how process conditions affect oxide chemistry, particle size, morphology, surface area, moisture, density, impurities, and downstream performance.
• Execute laboratory and demonstration-facility campaigns, including equipment startup, sampling, inspection, troubleshooting, and technical reviews.
• Develop thermal-processing approaches involving drying, calcination, atmosphere control, and other treatments required for target product properties.
• Improve powder collection, transfer, classification, conditioning, and sampling while minimizing contamination and material loss.
• Define off-gas and HF-management requirements in collaboration with process, mechanical, controls, and safety engineers.
• Evaluate scale-up challenges involving thermal performance, gas flow, solids handling, and product consistency.
• Coordinate product specifications with uranium recovery, analytical, ceramic-processing, and fuel-manufacturing teams.
• Maintain test plans, operating parameters, technical evaluations, and controlled development records.

Skills

Chemical process knowledge

Laboratory troubleshooting

Scale-up optimization

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or related

Advanced degree in a relevant technical discipline

Direct UF6 deconversion or uranium oxide manufacturing experience

Nuclear quality or radiological facility experience

Tools

Pilot plant equipment

Reactor operation

Analytical instrumentation

Job description

Position Title: UF6 Deconversion / Oxide Production Process Engineer

Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting direct hire UF6 Deconversion / Oxide Production Process Engineer opportunity.

Job Responsibilities:

Develop and optimize UF6 deconversion processes, including feed introduction, reaction control, intermediate handling, oxide formation, and product conditioning. Evaluate how process conditions affect oxide chemistry, particle size, morphology, surface area, moisture, density, impurities, and downstream performance. Execute laboratory and demonstration-facility campaigns, including equipment startup, sampling, inspection, troubleshooting, and technical reviews. Develop thermal-processing approaches involving drying, calcination, atmosphere control, and other treatments required for target product properties. Improve powder collection, transfer, classification, conditioning, and sampling while minimizing contamination and material loss. Define off-gas and HF-management requirements in collaboration with process, mechanical, controls, and safety engineers. Evaluate scale-up challenges involving thermal performance, gas flow, solids handling, and product consistency. Coordinate product specifications with uranium recovery, analytical, ceramic-processing, and fuel-manufacturing teams. Maintain test plans, operating parameters, technical evaluations, and controlled development records.

Job Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, nuclear engineering, chemistry, materials science, ceramic engineering, or a related discipline. Relevant experience in uranium oxide production, deconversion, thermal processing, powder processing, chemical reaction engineering, or comparable materials manufacturing. Hands-on experience with laboratory, bench, pilot, or demonstration systems involving reactors, furnaces, drying, powder handling, sampling, and troubleshooting. Ability to connect process variables to powder chemistry and physical properties and evaluate suitability for downstream processing. Experience preparing test plans, defining operating parameters, documenting results, and developing technical evaluations.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

Advanced degree in a relevant technical discipline. Direct UF6 deconversion or uranium oxide manufacturing experience. Experience with calcination, reduction, rotary kilns, fluidized systems, powder conditioning, or controlled-atmosphere furnaces. Experience developing oxide feedstocks for nuclear fuel or advanced ceramic applications. Nuclear quality or radiological facility experience.

Job Details:

Job Type: Full-time

Salary Range: $110-$255K

Location: Oak Ridge, TN (Onsite)

Due to government contract requirements, this position is restricted to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residential or GC Holder only.

About Protingent:

Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation - from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.