Senior Materials Engineer

This role will work as part of a high functioning team of engineers focused on materials processing, supply chain development and supplier qualification for next generation material and components for sodium-cooled fast reactors.

You will be responsible for developing the supply chain for key materials and components for the Natrium reactor core, as well as sourcing materials to support qualification testing of materials, components, and systems. You will also be involved with materials testing for qualification and design.

Responsibilities:

• Lead technical development of suppliers to increase technology readiness levels of key materials and components for the core of the Natrium reactor
• Develop material and process specifications for vital, specialized materials (e.g., HT9, Grade 92, nickel-base alloys, austenitic stainless steels) and product forms (billet, bar, rod, wire, heavy-walled tube, small diameter tubing).
• Work with prospective and current suppliers to material and process specifications, as well as provide input to the design team on component drawings/specifications to ensure product performance meets design requirements and manufacturers’ capabilities
• Support supplier selection activities with requests for proposals (RFPs) and team review/selection processes
• Provide direction and oversight of supplier projects, working with the contract administrator and the supplier project engineer to ensure delivery of data and other deliverables to meet requirements
• Coordinate technical review process of supplier deliverables and ensure appropriate responses
• Assist with supplier audits per ASME NQA-1-2015
• Design and execute test programs to statically evaluate manufacturing variability effects on material properties and performance

Key Qualifications and Skills:

• Minimum of 6 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree. A degree in Materials Science/Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline is desired.
• A solid understanding of metallurgy including fabrication and thermomechanical processing of ferrous (e.g., ferritic-martensitic steels) and nonferrous (e.g., nickel-base) alloys is required
• Demonstrated skills in developing requirements specifications, defining supplier technical work scope to include development of SOWs, RFPs and providing technical direction and oversight of supplier projects.
• A general understanding of the design of nuclear reactor and subsequent impacts on materials would be considered a plus
• Ability to work with minimum direction to solve challenging problems
• Actual position starting level and title will be determined based on assessment of qualifications
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly and display respect, and a desire to foster teamwork