Nuclear Fuel Development Engineer

Standard Nuclear is fueling America’s nuclear renaissance at industrial scale. Our mission is to deliver the essential building blocks of nuclear power—enabling cost-effective, safe, and secure energy for the world. 

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, chemical processing, ceramics, powders, 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, powders, ceramics, chemical processing, 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, Ceramic Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline 

• 3–4 years of experience in nuclear fuels, materials processing, chemical processing, ceramics, powders, 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, ceramic processing, powder handling, 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  

• 401K Plan  

• Paid Time Off, Holidays  

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

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. 

Standard Nuclear embraces equal opportunity and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.  

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