Idaho National Laboratory

Liquid Metal Engineer/Scientist

Idaho National Laboratory$79K — $195K *
Energy & Utilities
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or related field from ABET-accredited program.
  • 2-5 years of relevant experience based on degree level.
  • Experience with research and development of liquid metal technologies such as Lead Lithium (PbLi).
  • Knowledge of nuclear fuels, materials, reactor physics, and thermal hydraulics.
  • Familiarity with core design and analysis tools/methods.

Responsibilities

  • Apply advanced nuclear engineering design principles and concepts.
  • Develop and validate designs using best practices in design methodologies.
  • Document designs to ensure compliance with established standards.
  • Establish testing and quality requirements for projects.
  • Perform analyses to meet safety standards for experimental and operational requirements.
  • Support project interactions with sponsors and engineering teams.
  • Prepare technical reports and represent work through presentations and publications.

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts.
  • 401(k) with significant employer contribution and matching.
  • Paid time off including personal leave.
  • Tuition assistance through Employee Education Program.
  • Comprehensive Relocation Package.
Full Job Description
Job Description

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.

Essential Job Functions:
  • 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.


High-Temperature System Design & Deployment
  • 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.
    System Commissioning & Operations Support
  • Support system startup, commissioning, operational readiness reviews, and troubleshooting activities.
  • Develop test procedures, operating procedures, and technical documentation.
    System Commissioning & Operations Support
  • Support system startup, commissioning, operational readiness reviews, and troubleshooting activities.
  • Develop test procedures, operating procedures, and technical documentation.

Required:
  • 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.


The ideal candidate will possess:
  • 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.


Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds without assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information:

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Liquid Metal Engineer/Scientist to work on our Tritium Fusion Materials team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our REC facility with every other Friday off.
  • The pay range for this position is: Level 2 ($79,344 - $162,732) / Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
  • Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.


Benefits and Relocation

  • 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
  • Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.


At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

About Idaho National Laboratory

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. INL is operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, a partnership between Battelle, BWX Technologies, Inc., and Texas A&M University System. INL's work is focused on delivering solutions to some of the nation's most pressing challenges in energy, national security, science, and the environment. INL's research and development capabilities are organized into four primary areas: Nuclear Science and Technology, National and Homeland Security, Energy and Environment, and Biological Science and Engineering.
Learn more about Idaho National Laboratory
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