Liquid Metal Engineer/Scientist
About The Position
Idaho National Laboratory seeks Nuclear Engineers to shape the future of nuclear energy by leveraging cutting-edge research to develop next-generation reactors and systems that power the nation and beyond. You'll develop experimental requirements or packaging and handling requirements for apply advanced nuclear engineering design principles and theories, use best practices in design methodologies to develop and validate designs, and document designs to ensure conformance with requirements and standards. Your work includes establishing testing and quality requirements, ensuring fabrication and procurement align with design specifications, performing integrated analyses to meet experimental, storage, transportation, and facility safety requirements, and defending analytical methods and results in reviews. You'll support project interactions with sponsors and operations, develop and improve physics-based mathematical models and analysis methods, prepare reports and peer-reviewed publications, and represent programs through technical presentations. This role is part of the Tritium Fusion Materials team and operates on a 9x80 schedule with every other Friday off.
Requirements
- Level 2: Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering or a directly related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET and 2 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or a directly related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET and 0 years of relevant experience.
- Level 3: Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering or a directly related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET and 5 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or a directly related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET and 2 years of relevant experience.
- Experience in the research, development, qualification, and deployment of liquid metal technologies, including Lead Lithium (PbLi) for fusion energy breeding blanket technologies and advanced nuclear reactor systems.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or a directly related engineering field from a program accredited by ABET.
- Experience in nuclear fuels and materials, reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, core design, and analysis tools/methods.
Responsibilities
- Apply advanced nuclear engineering design principles, theories, and concepts.
- Use best practices in design methodologies to develop and validate designs.
- Document designs to ensure conformance with requirements and standards.
- Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements.
- Ensure fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement align with design specifications.
- Perform integrated analyses to meet experimental, storage, transportation, disposal, and facility safety requirements.
- Defend analytical methods and results in reviews.
- Support project/program interactions with sponsors, operations, and engineering organizations.
- Develop and improve physics-based mathematical models and analysis methods.
- Prepare reports and peer-reviewed publications.
- Represent programs through technical presentations and at conferences.
- Participate in professional development activities.
- Perform analyses of irradiation experiments and conduct research supporting nuclear processes.
- Support transformational fuel qualification efforts.
- Support design of high-temperature piping loops, vessels, heaters, pumps, and instrumentation for high temperature fluids including Lead Lithium (PbLi).
- Perform engineering calculations to define hydraulic, thermal, and mechanical design parameters (e.g., pump head, pressure drop, heat loss, pipe sizing).
- Develop and interpret Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).
- Lead or support construction and commissioning of laboratory test platforms, pilot-scale systems, and engineering demonstration skids.
- Support system startup, commissioning, operational readiness reviews, and troubleshooting activities.
- Develop test procedures, operating procedures, and technical documentation.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
- Paid time off (personal leave)
- Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
- Comprehensive Relocation Package
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
