Chemical Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

About The Position

The Chemical Engineer will focus on nuclear nonproliferation fuel cycle research, supporting the Nonproliferation Stewardship Program and related research efforts. The position is in ORNL’s Uranium Chemistry, Application, and Simulation Group, within the Material Characterization & Modeling Section, Nuclear Security Materials & Signatures Division, National Security Sciences Directorate. The role combines hands-on laboratory research with design work to develop infrastructure for laboratory research. The engineer will work with principal investigators and project management on projects to design, fabricate, assemble, and operate nuclear fuel cycle unit operations and processes, and will design, test, and commission new systems and architectures. The role also contributes to R&D projects involving nuclear fuel cycle processes. The successful candidate will communicate research results through technical reports, presentations, and journal articles; document work in reports, papers, procedures, and presentations; and participate in research proposal development. They will collaborate with ORNL staff and interface with principal investigators, management, engineers, scientists, technicians, operators, fabricators, modelers, and internal and external sponsors. Work is performed with periodic alignment, feedback, and mentorship, while independently driving assigned deliverables to completion.

Requirements

B.S. in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
0–3 years of related experience.
Proven communication skills.
Ability to work flexible hours and travel.
Knowledge of chemical engineering design processes, including development of System Requirements Documents, Process Flow Diagrams, Material and Energy Balances, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams, Design Analysis Calculations, Specification Sheets, and Control System Narratives.
Demonstrated familiarity with performing experiments and following the scientific method.
Familiarity with the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy clearance.
Passing a pre-placement drug test and participating in an ongoing random drug testing program.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience in multiple nuclear fuel cycle chemical engineering operations.
Experience in chemical engineering testing processes, including dissolution, solvent extraction, ion exchange, oxide or halide conversion, and uranium hexafluoride handling.
Experience with DAQ programming such as LabView or PLC programming.
Experience and familiarity working with uranium chemistry.
Experience and familiarity working in radiological laboratory fume hoods and with associated work practices.

Responsibilities

Participate in projects to design, fabricate, assemble, and operate nuclear fuel cycle unit operations and processes.
Design, test, and commission new systems and architectures for project work.
Contribute to R&D projects involving nuclear fuel cycle processes.
Perform hands-on laboratory research and design infrastructure to support that research.
Communicate laboratory research results through technical reports, presentations, and journal articles.
Document work in technical reports, papers, procedures, and presentations.
Collaborate with co-workers, management, principal investigators, and internal and external sponsors.
Independently drive assigned deliverables to completion, with periodic alignment, feedback, and mentorship.
Participate in developing research proposals.
Interface with engineers, scientists, technicians, operators, fabricators, and modelers.