Materials Engineer

X-energy•Rockville, MD

5d•$80,063 - $149,625•Hybrid

About The Position

X-energy LLC is hiring a Materials Engineer to join its Nuclear Engineering team. This role is responsible for performing engineering tasks associated with selecting, qualifying, and conducting lifetime assessment analyses for materials in a nuclear reactor and nuclear facility.

Requirements

Level I: Typically zero to two years of experience in an engineering role required.
Level II: Typically three years of experience in an engineering role required.
Level III: Typically five years of experience in an engineering role required.
Bachelor’s degree in materials engineering, or related engineering discipline (e.g., chemical, nuclear, mechanical etc.) from an accredited institution.
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: Metallurgy, Graphite, Chemistry, Nuclear.
Experience with metallurgical analysis and strong familiarity with metallic alloy material behavior
Experience with nonmetallic materials behavior (e.g. ceramic / composite / graphite / brittle materials)
Experience with assessment of oxidation, corrosion, and associated material property evolution for relevant degradation mechanisms.
Experience with assessment of radiation aging and associated material property evolution for relevant degradation mechanisms.

Nice To Haves

Experience using modeling and simulation software like Aspen and COMSOL.
Experience designing or evaluating graphite and carbon-based materials for high‑temperature environments.
A background in oxidation kinetics, corrosion science, or materials degradation mechanisms.
Familiarity with laboratory methods for characterizing high‑temperature oxidation behavior (e.g., TGA, DSC, SEM/EDS).
Prior work experience in nuclear, aerospace, or advanced energy systems involving graphite or refractory materials is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement methodologies to qualify and characterize materials, especially metallic alloys, graphite, composites, and welding materials for nuclear reactor applications including 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.
Use 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.
Perform and assist metallurgical analysis for the alloys selected for metallic systems, structures, and components of X-energy developed reactors, including pressure vessels and piping, reactor internals, heat exchangers, and other systems and components.
Collect and use data to support the generation of constitutive material models and perform and assist structural integrity, creep-fatigue, and strain evaluations for metals at high temperatures.
Perform and assist 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.
Collect and use 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.
Perform system-level and component-level analyses to support impurity inventory calculation and assessment of oxidation, corrosion, and associated material property evolution for these and other relevant degradation mechanisms through the life of the reactor.
Collect and use data to support the generation of models / analytical tools and perform and assist oxidation, corrosion, particulate, and impurity inventory management evaluations for systems and components.
Perform system-level and component-level analyses to support assessment of radiation aging / embrittlement, and associated material property evolution for these and other relevant degradation mechanisms through the life of the reactor.
Collect and use data to support the generation of models / analytical tools and perform and assist radiation effects life assessment evaluations for system and components.
Support the assessment of SSCs for response to environmental conditions at the direction of project leads.
Consider effects of tribology and material property evolution on system and component design as a function of temperature and environment.
Write and develop 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.
Develop 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.
Maintain professional demeanor and behavior at all times in all forms of communication.
Perform other duties as assigned by manager.