Graphite Materials Manager

X-energy•Rockville, MD

62d•$162,500 - $185,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is responsible for managing engineers responsible for performing tasks associated with selecting, qualifying, and conducting lifetime analysis for nonmetallic and graphite materials in a nuclear reactor or nuclear facility. This includes providing organizational support and technical oversight for the project team, in which the team’s individual contributors support. This will include assisting with the design, analysis, and environmental degradation management of systems, structures, and components for various advanced reactor plant components. Specifically, this position is responsible for managing engineering capabilities for both Nonmetallics and Graphite.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in materials engineering, or related engineering discipline (e.g., chemical, nuclear, mechanical etc.) from an accredited institution.
Typically, ten years of engineering experience.
A master’s degree in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of two years of experience.
A Ph.D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of three years of experience.
Previous experience at X-energy exceeding performance standards may be in lieu of years of experience.
Experience and/or knowledge in a minimum of one of the following areas: Graphite - Experience with nonmetallic materials behavior (e.g. ceramic / composite / graphite / brittle materials)
Chemistry - Experience with assessment of oxidation, corrosion, and associated material property evolution for relevant degradation mechanisms.
Nuclear - Experience with assessment of radiation aging and associated material property evolution for relevant degradation mechanisms.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing the personnel of technical engineering teams.
Familiarity with nonmetallic materials behavior (graphite, ceramics, composites, brittle materials) or anisotropic material systems.
Experience with material testing.
Familiarity with version control systems and collaborative development practices.
Understanding of nuclear industry codes and standards for materials.
Experience working in quality-assured engineering environments.
Background in graphite, ceramics, or anisotropic materials is preferrable.
We seek candidates with strong analytical foundations and eagerness to develop expertise in nuclear materials applications.
Earned Value Management Schedule familiarity.
Ability for near-term and long-term planning of multiple projects budget.
Experience with writing contracts with external partners.

Responsibilities

Manage the execution of the development and implementation of methodologies to qualify and characterize materials, specifically, graphite and composites for nuclear reactor applications in high temperature environments.
Support selection of appropriate materials, test methods, codes and standards, and prepare material specifications for component procurement.
Inform development of and assist in oversight of materials testing programs to collect material properties and establish basis for material qualifications.
Manage the work of the team using engineering tools, including appropriate simulation software, hand calculations, and engineering judgment
Assess microscale behavior, grain boundaries, surface effects, degradation behavior (corrosion, oxidation kinetics, neutron damage, etc.), and lifetime performance of materials.
Lead team responsible for performing and assisting material degradation analysis for graphite and composite components of X-energy developed reactors, including graphite core assemblies, and assessment of as-manufactured, irradiated, and oxidized data.
Coordinate the collection and use of data to support the generation of constitutive material models/analytical tools and perform and assist structural integrity, cracking, dimensional change, and stress/deformation evaluations for irradiated graphite.
Manages the utilization of engineering resources across multiple projects and ensures qualified engineers are performing assigned work.
Adjudicates technical differences within their area of responsibility to determine best option, while fostering a healthy engineering dialogue.
Manages staff by ensuring they are meeting expectations and promoting their professional development.
Influences the development of strategy, methodology and technical tools for the area of responsibility, including control of resources, policy formulation, and ways in which technical work is executed.
Interpret simple internal and external business challenges and recommend best practices to improve products, processes, tools, or services.
Use high level of judgement to make decisions and handle complex tasks or problems in areas of operations, product management, manufacturing, technology, or engineering.
Act in advisory capacity to define scope and level of effort estimates for areas where their resources would be supporting.
Consider effects of tribology and material property evolution on system and component design as a function of temperature and environment.
Write, develop, and coordinate the generation of design and analysis documentation including design basis documents, technical reports, calculations, and drawings in accordance with applicable procedures, as well as industry publications and engagement in professional forums.
Manage the development of Verification and Validation (V&V) plans for analytical tools and support qualification of toolsets.
Perform work in accordance with X-energy quality procedures for design and configuration management to ensure project quality requirements are met.
Provide independent reviews and acceptance reviews of engineering deliverables and data.
Always maintain professional demeanor and behavior in all forms of communication.
Perform other duties as assigned by manager.