Fuel Development Scientist

X-Energy•Oak Ridge, TN

8d•Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for supporting or leading projects in the development of fundamental understanding, defining experimental investigations, determining paths toward technology scale-up, and implementing experimental-scale, engineering-scale, and commercial-scale manufacturing methods. The position focuses on science/research into nuclear fuels from a performance, manufacturing, and/or disposal stages of the life cycle. The role requires working with project management to understand business, performance, and programmatic goals in order to define solutions that comply with engineering and company goals/objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, nuclear engineering, material science, material science engineering, physics, or related.
Experience or knowledge of various scientific and industrial processes (e.g., sintering, pressing, heat treatment, extrusion, melt casting, CVD, dissolution, gelation) is required.
Experience or knowledge of various physical properties and measurements (e.g., chemical/process factors that affect density, packing fraction, particle size, impurities, thermal/material properties conductivity).
Scientific understanding of nuclear fuel cycle.
Must be willing to work with hazardous materials such as low enriched uranium, nitric acid, phenolic resin, etc.
Must have the ability to complete the Radiation Worker II training/certification
Level II: Typically, three years of experience in a relevant role required.
Level III: Typically, five years of experience in a relevant role required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with scientific and industrial equipment design, procurement, installation, and operation is preferred, especially as related to the study and production of nuclear fuel and nuclear fuel materials.
Experience in scientific journal publication.

Responsibilities

Drive fundamental understanding of production methods including scale-up factors, sources of variation, and interactions.
Develop methods to define, optimize, and improve manufacture of nuclear fuel elements, including but not limited to acid-deficient uranyl nitrate (ADUN) chemistry and fabrication, solution-gelation processes, ceramic coating purpose/methods using techniques, such as fluidized bed chemical vapor deposition (FB-CVD), graphite matrix characterization and production, ceramic particle overcoating, and fuel form manufacturing (e.g., compact pressing, shaping, and heat treatment).
Develop methods, strategies, and techniques for characterization and evaluation of kernel, TRISO particle, and fuel forms/elements to ensure they meet specification.
Through these techniques, determine how manufacturing methods affect fuel/material quality and determine means to adjust manufacturing to improve quality/yield.
Develop Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA-1)-approved processes that lead to standard operating procedures for characterization of all aspects of kernel, TRISO, pebble, compact, any other fuel elements or parts of fuel element design, characterization, and manufacturing.
Use quality control standards, NQA-1, and regulatory agency requirements to manage the manufacturing life cycle, including control of processes, equipment calibration, component compliance, and acceptance of raw materials.
Assist process engineers to troubleshoot significant manufacturing problems that require R&D support.
Demonstrate customer focus by timely delivery of commercialization objectives such as sample generation, data collection, data interpretation, and scale-ups and by timely development of robust products and processes.
Provide scientific input or leverage network of subject matter experts to consult on reactive chemicals, chemical compatibility, process safety, industrial hygiene, mechanical integrity, and material compatibility.
Work with process engineering, engineering, and regulatory teams to translate lab-scale processes to pilot/engineering scale and production scale processes.
Work with regulatory and safety teams to establish safety procedures for individuals working with dangerous chemicals, processes, or equipment, to establish appropriate safety controls in process areas, and to ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
Maintain professional demeanor and behavior at all times in all forms of communication.
Perform other duties as assigned by manager.
Level II: Support team members with the execution of the core tasks and responsibilities, listed in the Job Profile Task/Responsibilities section of this document, under guided supervision.
Level III: Execute the core tasks and responsibilities, listed in the Job Profile Task/Responsibilities section of this document, with minimal supervision.