Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Machine Design Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory$88K — $105K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS degree in mechanical engineering and 3+ years relevant experience
  • Demonstrated machine design experience
  • SolidWorks 3D CAD experience
  • Active DOE Q Clearance
  • Relevance in high-speed rotating machinery design (preferred)

Responsibilities

  • Support advancements in gas centrifuge isotope separation design
  • Design complex components for high-speed rotating equipment
  • Progress designs through testing stages toward production
  • Design containment joints for vacuum systems
  • Create specialized fixtures for fabrication and testing
  • Produce high-quality drawings and manage configurations
  • Engage in design reviews and address stakeholder comments
  • Align project outputs with organizational core values

Benefits

  • Generous relocation package for domestic and international moves
  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies
  • Access to a collaborative and respectful workplace environment
  • Potential for professional development and training opportunities
Full Job Description
Requisition Id 17074

Overview:

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:
  • Support 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.
  • Deliver high-quality drawings and bills of materials utilizing robust configuration management practices.
  • 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.
  • Support design reviews, by preparing review documents, engaging stakeholders, 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.
  • Work with Manufacturing and Quality staff (both internal to ORNL and with external suppliers) to incorporate non-conformances and manufacturing feedback into drawing revisions.
  • Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.


Basic Qualifications:
  • BS degree in mechanical engineering and 3+ years relevant experience.
  • Demonstrated machine design experience.
  • SolidWorks 3D CAD experience.
  • Active DOE Q Clearance.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Relevant design experience with high-speed rotating machinery.
  • Certified SolidWorks Professional.
  • Experience with product data management systems and CAD database processes/workflows.
  • ASME Y14.5, geometric dimensioning, and tolerancing professional certification.
  • Successful execution of research and development or other large technology-based projects at ORNL or within the DOE complex.


Special Requirements:
  • Q or L 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.


Relocation:

Moving can be overwhelming and expensive. UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions. If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.

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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.

About Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is a science and technology national laboratory managed for the United States Department of Energy (DOE) by UT-Battelle. ORNL is the largest science and energy national laboratory in the Department of Energy system by size and by annual budget. ORNL conducts research and development activities in a variety of scientific and technical disciplines. ORNL's scientific programs focus on materials, neutron science, energy, high-performance computing, systems biology and national security. ORNL partners with other national laboratories, universities and industry to solve complex problems and transfer knowledge and technology. ORNL is home to several of the world's most powerful supercomputers, including Summit, the world's most powerful supercomputer as of November 2018.
Learn more about Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Size
5,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1943

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