Fuel Development Engineer

The Nuclear Fuel Development Engineer supports Standard Nuclear’s fuel development and manufacturing programs by contributing to process development, fuel material fabrication, characterization, testing, and technical documentation. This role works across engineering, laboratory, and manufacturing environments to help develop reliable processes for advanced nuclear fuel production.

This is a hands-on technical role suited for an early-career engineer with experience or strong interest in nuclear fuels, materials processing, metallurgy, metallic fuels, or fuel fabrication. The Nuclear Fuel Development Engineer will support experimental planning, process execution, data analysis, and transition of development activities into repeatable manufacturing practices.

The role requires strong technical fundamentals, disciplined documentation, and the ability to work closely with fuel development, manufacturing, characterization, quality, EH&S, radiological controls, and licensing teams in a regulated nuclear fuel fabrication environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Fuel Development & Process Engineering

• Support development and optimization of nuclear fuel fabrication processes

• Assist with planning and execution of experiments, process trials, and technical demonstrations

• Evaluate process parameters, operating conditions, and material behavior to improve repeatability and product consistency

• Support scale-up of fuel development activities from laboratory or pilot work into manufacturing workflows

• Help identify process limitations, sources of variation, and opportunities for yield or throughput improvement

Materials Processing & Fabrication Support

• Support hands-on work involving nuclear fuel materials, metallic fuels, alloying, casting, thermal processing, and related fabrication steps

• Assist with preparation, handling, movement, and tracking of materials in accordance with approved procedures

• Work with technicians and operators to support equipment setup, process readiness, and production execution

• Help troubleshoot process issues, equipment limitations, and material performance concerns

• Support development of tooling, fixtures, work instructions, and process documentation as needed

Characterization, Testing & Data Analysis

• Coordinate with characterization and quality teams to evaluate material properties, product attributes, and process results

• Review and analyze data from process runs, inspections, measurements, and characterization activities

• Use data to identify trends, assess process performance, and support technical decision-making

• Prepare technical summaries, test reports, process records, and data packages

• Support root cause investigations and corrective actions related to material or process deviations

Manufacturing & Cross-Functional Integration

• Work closely with manufacturing, quality, characterization, EH&S, radiological controls, licensing, and supply chain teams

• Ensure development activities are planned and executed with safety, quality, traceability, and manufacturability in mind

• Support development of process flows, material movement plans, and manufacturing readiness activities

• Help translate engineering requirements into practical production methods and procedures

• Communicate technical status, risks, and results clearly to project and technical stakeholders

Documentation, Quality & Compliance

• Develop and maintain technical documentation including procedures, work instructions, test plans, process records, and reports

• Ensure work is documented clearly, accurately, and in accordance with company requirements

• Support audit readiness, configuration control, and traceability of fuel development activities

• Follow applicable safety, radiological, quality, and environmental requirements

• Support continuous improvement of procedures, workflows, and technical practices as programs mature

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline

• 3–4 years of experience in nuclear fuels, materials processing, metallurgy, metallic fuels, fuel fabrication, or related technical work preferred

• Hands-on experience in laboratory, pilot, manufacturing, or regulated technical environments

• Familiarity with nuclear fuel fabrication, fuel materials, uranium processing, metal processing, alloying, casting, thermal processing, or advanced materials manufacturing is preferred

• Experience supporting process development, experimental execution, process troubleshooting, or manufacturing scale-up

• Ability to analyze technical data and develop clear conclusions from process, test, or characterization results

• Strong technical writing skills and experience preparing procedures, test plans, reports, or controlled documentation

• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineers, scientists, technicians, operators, quality personnel, and safety teams

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety, quality, and procedural compliance

• Experience in nuclear, DOE, NRC, national laboratory, aerospace, defense, chemical processing, energy, or other regulated environments is a plus

BENEFITS

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

• Health Savings Account

• Disability and Life Insurance

• 401(k) Plan

• Paid Time Off and Holidays

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role is based in Idaho Falls, ID and involves work across office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.

This role is based on-site at Standard Nuclear’s Idaho nuclear fuel fabrication facility and involves work across office, laboratory, manufacturing, and controlled environments.

The position requires regular interaction with fuel development, manufacturing, characterization, quality, EH&S, radiological controls, and technical teams. Work may involve laboratory activities, chemical or materials processing equipment, production areas, radiological environments, and use of required PPE. Adherence to site safety, quality, radiological, environmental, and operational procedures is expected. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.