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Standard Nuclear Verified
Nuclear Energy, Clean Energy, Deep Tech, Hardware

Materials Engineer

Oak Ridge, TNOnsiteFull TimePosted 2 months ago

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Required skills

  • materials development
  • scale-up
  • advanced materials
  • manufacturing processes
  • materials processing
  • experimental process work
  • technical problem-solving
  • production capability
  • material behavior
  • processing methods

Nice to have

  • nuclear fuels
  • ceramic materials
  • powders
  • high-temperature materials
  • uranium-bearing materials
  • advanced ceramics

Role summary

Standard Nuclear is seeking a Materials Engineer to support the development, testing, and scale-up of advanced materials and manufacturing processes for nuclear power. This role involves hands-on work in materials development, experimental process refinement, technical problem-solving, and transitioning lab-scale work to reliable production. The engineer will collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate material behavior, optimize processing methods, analyze results, and define manufacturing paths. Success requires a strong engineering judgment, clear documentation, and the ability to translate development work into actionable technical knowledge for manufacturing decisions. The position is based onsite and requires a Bachelor's degree in a related technical field with 3+ years of experience.

Standard Nuclear is fueling America’s nuclear renaissance at industrial scale. Our mission is to deliver the essential building blocks of nuclear power—enabling cost-effective, safe, and secure energy for the world.

The Materials Engineer will support development, testing, and scale-up of advanced materials and manufacturing processes for Standard Nuclear. This role is focused on materials development, experimental process work, technical problem-solving, and transition of promising methods from laboratory or pilot-scale work toward reliable production capability.

The Materials Engineer will work closely with engineering, fuel development, manufacturing, quality, characterization, and operations teams to evaluate material behavior, develop and refine processing methods, support test campaigns, analyze results, and help define practical paths toward repeatable manufacturing. This role requires a hands-on technical approach, strong engineering judgment, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment where processes, equipment, and requirements may still be evolving.

Success in this role requires curiosity, discipline, clear documentation, and the ability to turn development work into usable technical knowledge that supports future manufacturing decisions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Materials Development & Testing

  • Support development and refinement of advanced materials processing methods from concept, laboratory, or pilot-scale activities toward repeatable manufacturing processes
  • Plan, execute, and document development activities, including test campaigns, process trials, equipment runs, and material evaluations
  • Evaluate relationships between process conditions, material behavior, product attributes, yield, and repeatability
  • Use experimental data, observations, characterization results, and engineering judgment to recommend next steps
  • Identify technical risks, process limitations, material constraints, and improvement opportunities during development work

    • Process Development & Scale-Up

  • Support transition of materials and chemical processes from development-scale work to production-capable manufacturing methods
  • Develop and optimize processing parameters to improve consistency, quality, yield, and process performance
  • Work hands-on with processing equipment to support installation, operation, troubleshooting, and optimization
  • Support process control strategies, operating windows, and acceptance criteria for developing manufacturing processes
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to incorporate lessons learned from development work into future production methods, procedures, and technical requirements

    • Materials Characterization & Technical Analysis

  • Work with characterization, quality, and engineering teams to evaluate material properties, product quality, and process performance
  • Review characterization data, process data, test results, and production observations to identify trends and technical conclusions
  • Support root cause investigations related to material behavior, process variability, yield loss, or product performance
  • Help define testing needs, acceptance criteria, and evaluation methods for development activities
  • Translate technical findings into clear recommendations for engineering, manufacturing, and leadership stakeholders

    • Engineering & Equipment Support

  • Contribute to the design, selection, installation, and refinement of processing systems, tooling, fixtures, and test equipment
  • Work with mechanical, process, manufacturing, and facilities engineers to support development projects and scale-up efforts
  • Support equipment readiness, process trials, commissioning activities, and troubleshooting of development or pilot-scale systems
  • Provide input on equipment capability, maintainability, process reliability, material handling, and scale-up considerations
  • Assist with technical specifications, process descriptions, equipment requirements, and process control methods

    • Documentation & Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Document procedures, process parameters, test plans, observations, results, conclusions, and recommended next steps in accordance with company and quality expectations
  • Prepare technical summaries, development reports, process documentation, and supporting materials for internal review
  • Communicate technical findings, risks, issues, and recommendations clearly to engineering, development, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams
  • Participate in cross-functional problem-solving, technical reviews, project planning, and process improvement activities
  • Maintain strong attention to safety, quality, documentation, and technical rigor in all development work

    • PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred
  • 3+ years of experience in materials development, chemical processing, advanced manufacturing, process development, pilot-scale production, or related technical environments
  • Experience with nuclear fuels, ceramic materials, powders, high-temperature materials, uranium-bearing materials, or comparable advanced materials preferred
  • Relevant adjacent experience in advanced ceramics, specialty materials, batteries, semiconductors, aerospace materials, additive manufacturing, chemical process development, or high-temperature manufacturing will be considered
  • Hands-on experience with processing equipment, test campaigns, pilot systems, laboratory systems, or manufacturing development activities
  • Strong understanding of material behavior, process variables, experimental methods, process controls, and scale-up challenges
  • Ability to evaluate process performance, yield, repeatability, product quality, and material properties using data and technical judgment
  • Strong documentation, communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills

    • BENEFITS

  • Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Health Savings Account
  • Disability and Life Insurance
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid Time Off and Holidays

    • WORK ENVIRONMENT

    The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

  • Work is performed in a combination of laboratory, manufacturing, and office settings.
  • May involve standing for extended periods, working around equipment, or handling materials.
  • Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required.

    • Standard Nuclear embraces equal opportunity and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

    To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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