Principal Materials Engineer

Job Title: Sr. Materials Engineer

Materials Engineerfor an advanced nuclear fuel development company. This is a founding, hands-on lab role, where you will help build an advanced fuels materials-testing lab in Oak Ridge from scratch. This is a great opportunity for someone with experience in materials characterization, mechanical testing, and fuel qualification looking to further their career in advanced nuclear materials. Define laboratory capabilities, equipment requirements, facility needs, and commissioning priorities for advanced materials testing. Develop characterization plans that connect testing and measurements to manufacturing performance, material requirements, and fuel qualification objectives. Establish mechanical-testing and nondestructive examination (NDE) methods for brittle ceramics, SiC, coated particles, and advanced fuel forms. Conduct hands-on specimen preparation, equipment operation, calibration, data analysis, and method optimization. Coordinate with national laboratories, universities, and commercial testing providers to transition appropriate capabilities in-house. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONSAdvanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in materials science, ceramic engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, or related discipline. Extensive Materials characterization and testing experience Demonstrated experience in mechanical testing, nondestructive examination, advanced ceramics, SiC, ceramic-matrix composites, or nuclear materials. Brittle-material mechanical testing (SiC, ceramics) experience Experience with NDE methods (micro-CT, radiography, ultrasonics) Test-method development: calibration, repeatability, measurement uncertainty, and detection limits. Hands-on expertise in specimen preparation, equipment operation, method development, troubleshooting, and materials data interpretation. BONUS QUALIFICATIONSExperience with TRISO fuel, FCM fuel, advanced reactor fuels, or nuclear fuel materials. Experience establishing or commissioning an advanced materials or nuclear fuels laboratory. Familiarity with ASME NQA-1, laboratory quality assurance, equipment controls, and controlled data systems.