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

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 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.

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.