Senior Machine Design Engineer

Requisition Id 12862 

Overview:  

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy (DOE) science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. The Enrichment Systems Engineering Section is seeking a Machine Design Engineer who will support the Enrichment Science and Engineering Division (ESED) within the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate (ISED) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). ESED serves the nation in two critical areas: advancing enrichment technologies and exploring stable isotope production and applications.

The division leverages an elite staff of scientists and engineers with the world-leading capabilities of ORNL to deliver groundbreaking advancements with a variety of applications, from national security to life-saving medical treatments. ESED is the national steward for the research, development, and demonstration of centrifuge technology innovations; advances electromagnetic isotope separations technology; and delivers stable isotopes for medical, industrial, and DOE mission-critical applications. The successful candidate will execute these important missions by teaming with ESED’s line management, project managers, and staff to build on a rich history of accomplishments in enrichment science and engineering.

As part of our team, you will provide technical leadership and creative design solutions that strategically advance centrifuge machine design and support enrichment system development. The Machine Design Engineer reports to and works closely with the Machine Design Engineering Group Leader to deliver task assignments and design outputs while following established design processes. This position works closely with other ESED subject matter experts, project managers, and WBS managers to execute discrete project scope according to approved schedules, budgets, and technical milestones. Additional interfaces will be with principal investigators, engineers, technicians, and other individual stakeholder personnel.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Lead activities that advance the state-of-the-art in gas centrifuge isotope separation (GCIS) design working closely with analysis, fabrication, assembly, and testing personnel.
• Design complex components and subassemblies for high-speed rotating equipment using machine design fundamentals and design for manufacturing. Focus areas include: motors, bearings, suspensions, composites, vibrations, and containment safety design.
• Progress new designs through various stages of testing toward eventual volume production.
• Design containment boundary joints (e.g., mechanical assembly interfaces, electrical feedthroughs, weldments, etc.) to high and ultra-high vacuum system best practices.
• Design precision specialized fixtures and tooling for fabrication, inspection, testing, and assembly.
• Produce a variety of design output documents including, but not limited to, systems requirements documents, calculations, drawings, bills of materials, specifications, inspection plans, assembly instructions, and test plans/procedures.
• Utilize SolidWorks 3D CAD to create models and drawings in accordance with ASME Y14.5.  Utilize SolidWorks PDM for configuration management.
• Perform tolerance stack-up and error budget analysis calculations.
• Facilitate formal design reviews, by preparing review documents, organizing primary design contributors, and fielding review panel comments to satisfactory resolution.
• Deliver design outputs within communicated schedule and budget guidance, ensuring that documentation is accurate, clear, and supports downstream work activities.
• Specify materials conforming to national standards (e.g., ASTM, MIL, SAE, UNS, etc.) based on required material properties and technology-specific vacuum and process gas compatibility guides.
• Identify critical characteristics of components and define the corresponding inspection and acceptance criteria.
• Work with Manufacturing and Quality staff (both internal to ORNL and with external suppliers) to disposition non-conformances and respond to requests for waivers/deviations.

Required Qualifications:

• Active DOE Q Clearance.
• BS degree in mechanical engineering, plus 12 years relevant experience, or MS degree in mechanical engineering, plus 10 years’ relevant experience.
• Demonstrated machine design experience.
• SolidWorks 3D CAD experience.
• Proven ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines and adapt to ever-changing needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant design experience with high-speed rotating machinery.
• Licensed NCEES Professional Engineer.
• Certified SolidWorks Professional.
• Experience with product data management systems and CAD database processes/workflows.
• ASME Y14.5, geometric dimensioning, and tolerancing professional certification.
• Experience in performing design scope on sensitive projects while maintaining excellent communication with the classification office, derivative classifiers, reviewing officials, and high-risk property management.
• Successful execution of research and development or other large technology-based projects at ORNL or within the DOE complex.

Physical Requirements:

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

Q clearance: 

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, 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.

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 Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Pet 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.

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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.