Irradiation Engineer

Requisition Id 12799 

Overview:

The Irradiation Engineering (IE) Group within the Fuel Development Section of the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks applications for an applied technical staff position, with emphasis in the area of irradiation engineering.

A central mission of the IE Group is to design, fabricate, and build irradiation capsules to support characterization of fluence-resistant structural materials and improved nuclear fuel for customers within the US Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Defense, and other government and private organizations. We provide a meaningful combination of sophisticated analytical analysis, experiment development, and hands-on fabrication skills. We are looking for someone that can conceptualize and develop experiments for the purpose of irradiating sophisticated structural materials and fuels. This includes thermal, structural, and neutronic design, management of fabrication and irradiation steps, and hands-on support to the experiment assembly process.

For information about the Irradiation Engineering Group of the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division, please visit our web site at: https://www.ornl.gov/group/ieg. Information about the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division is available from: https://www.ornl.gov/division/nefc.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop designs using modern computer aided design tools.
• Perform thermal and structural analyses using commercial finite element software such as ANSYS.
• Perform safety analyses to ensure safe experiment operation.
• Calculate nuclear heating rates using codes such as MCNP, SCALE, etc.;
• Manage and assist in the fabrication of experiments, and tracking experiments as they are irradiated.
• Utilize analytical, design, and managerial skills to optimally complete assigned projects.
• Collaborate with staff members inside and outside the IE Group and work on projects in a team environment, as well as independently.
• Develop creative design solutions, perform thermal/structural and neutronic analyses, fully document work performed, and effectively interface with project sponsors.
• Contribute, along with other group members, writing new proposals and providing cost estimates for projects.

Basic Qualification

• A BS and 2+ years of relevant experience, or a MS and 1+ year of relevant experience.
• Degree area should be in nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, or physics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and executing experiments and experiment components.
• Experience working in a mechanical laboratory environment.
• Experience using finite element (e.g., ANSYS) or finite difference methods and software for solving thermal/structural problems.
• Background and experience in thermal-hydraulics analysis methods.
• Experience using neutronics codes such as MCNP and the SCALE code system.
• Experience using modern computer aided design software such as Creo and Solidworks.
• Experience working on projects in a nuclear or other high-qualification environment.
• A proficiency in the application of design methods and experimental techniques.
• Problem-solving skills and a willingness to apply those skills to a variety of problems.
• Excellent verbal, presentation, and writing skills are required to enable effective interaction with technical peers, program managers, and sponsors.

Special Requirements:

Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions. As such, a pre-hire physical will be required after offer.

This position requires the ability to acquire and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. U.S. Citizenship is a requirement. This position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

About Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate:

The Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate (FFESD) addresses compelling challenges in fission and fusion energy systems, enabling Oak Ridge National Laboratory to pursue national priorities in current and advanced nuclear research, development, and deployment.

FFESD traces its roots to the X-10 Graphite Reactor, the world’s first continuously operated nuclear reactor, and to early innovations in fusion research and engineering. Our outstanding facilities, capabilities, and dedicated scientists and engineers are currently taking on such challenges as extended operations of the current US nuclear reactor fleet; investigating economical and flexible advanced reactor systems; and making fusion energy a viable power source. We leverage synergies between fusion and fission across domestic and international programs.

FFESD leads US ITER, which has the responsibility of designing, fabricating, and delivering hardware for the international ITER fusion project. We also lead the Transformational Challenge Reactor program and the Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX), a future world-leading capability that will produce the extreme plasma environments to test materials for use in fusion energy devices. To learn more about FFESD at ORNL go to https://www.ornl.gov/directorate/ffesd.

Benefits at ORNL:

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov or call 1.866.963.9545.

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This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.