What are the responsibilities and job description for the Nuclear Fuel Development Engineer position at Idaho National Laboratory?
Idaho National Laboratory is hiring Nuclear Fuel Development Engineer. This position is located at our Materials and Fuels Complex. Our team works a 4x10 schedule every Friday off.
INL is recognized as the lead national laboratory for DOE-NE, providing much of the nuclear research, development, and demonstration capability needed to move nuclear innovation forward to deployment. MFC hosts a unique combination of personnel, facilities and infrastructure and offers the ability to perform research and development of nuclear fuels from fuel development and fabrication through post irradiation analysis.
You will work on a broad spectrum of activities in nuclear fuels and materials research, development and demonstration. Responsibilities include concept development, process qualification, and characterization to the design and assembly of irradiation experiments. Act as a principal investigator, oversee peer reviews, generate scholarly outputs, and seek new research opportunities to advance INL's mission on both national and international stages.
Responsibilities
While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and may work in confined spaces. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and operating a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Benefits and Relocation
INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world’s energy future and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure.
INL Mission
Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.
INL Vision
Our vision is to change the world’s energy future and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure.
Selective Service Requirements
To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
Reasonable Accommodation
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Other Information
When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.
INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.
Primary Location
United States
Job
Engineering
Organization
Materials & Fuels Complex-MFC (Uxxx)
Schedule
Full-time
Employee Status
Regular
Job Posting
Jan 8, 2026, 9:48:04 PM
Unposting Date
Jan 16, 2026, 7:59:00 AM
RELOCATION
Position Relocation Eligible
TELEWORK
On-Site Worker
INL is recognized as the lead national laboratory for DOE-NE, providing much of the nuclear research, development, and demonstration capability needed to move nuclear innovation forward to deployment. MFC hosts a unique combination of personnel, facilities and infrastructure and offers the ability to perform research and development of nuclear fuels from fuel development and fabrication through post irradiation analysis.
You will work on a broad spectrum of activities in nuclear fuels and materials research, development and demonstration. Responsibilities include concept development, process qualification, and characterization to the design and assembly of irradiation experiments. Act as a principal investigator, oversee peer reviews, generate scholarly outputs, and seek new research opportunities to advance INL's mission on both national and international stages.
Responsibilities
- Support and/or conduct research, development, and analysis with nuclear fuels and materials within one or more of the following technical areas: characterization, fabrication, sample preparation, instrument development, process development, and irradiation experiment design and assembly.
- Responsible for activities from the procurement of feedstock, coordination of material movements, adherence to stringent quality and safety standards, and overseeing the fuel or experiment being inserted into the reactor.
- Develop and use processes to fabricate a wide range of advanced nuclear fuels and nuclear fuels and materials experiments encompassing the full development lifecycle: process design, procurement, synthesis, production, post-processing, characterization, and novel development work associated with these activities.
- Follow through on basic project needs, including submission of input towards establishment of these needs, and subsequently acting on these requirements to develop and execute activities and processes resulting in highquality deliverables.
- Document activities, coordinate material movements, and establish multi-facility process paths, ensuring quality standards are satisfied and adherence to safety protocols.
- Serve as a principal investigator. Establish research plans, conduct research, interpret data, and provide technical leadership.
- Conduct peer reviews, and drive generation of reports, publications, proposals, and intellectual property.
- Actively seek new research opportunities, generate proposals, secure funding, and represent INL to sponsors and peers in national and international forums.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Level 1: Bachelor's of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Materials Engineering, Nuclear Engineering or other related technical engineering degree from an ABET-accredited institution and 0 years' experience.
- Level 2: Bachelor's of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Materials Engineering, Nuclear Engineering or other related technical engineering degree from an ABET-accredited institution and 2 years of experience. Master’s and 0 years of experience. PhD and years' experience.
- This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy "L" clearance, which requires US Citizenship.
- Experience with extruding uranium alloys.
- The pay range for this position is Level 1 ($66,504 -$136,356)/Level 2 ($79,344 - $162,732): At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
- TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.
- Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.
While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and may work in confined spaces. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and operating a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Benefits and Relocation
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match
- Paid time off (personal leave)
- Employee Education Program (tuition assistance)
- Comprehensive Relocation Package
- Benefit eligibility subject multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.
INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world’s energy future and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure.
INL Mission
Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.
INL Vision
Our vision is to change the world’s energy future and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure.
Selective Service Requirements
To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
Reasonable Accommodation
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Other Information
When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.
INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.
Primary Location
United States
Job
Engineering
Organization
Materials & Fuels Complex-MFC (Uxxx)
Schedule
Full-time
Employee Status
Regular
Job Posting
Jan 8, 2026, 9:48:04 PM
Unposting Date
Jan 16, 2026, 7:59:00 AM
RELOCATION
Position Relocation Eligible
TELEWORK
On-Site Worker
Salary : $66,504 - $162,732