Demo

Materials Engineer

Naval Nuclear Laboratory (FMP)
Niskayuna, NY Full Time
POSTED ON 10/30/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/28/2026
Working at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory we foster pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, and Collaboration. Our company promotes a positive culture while ensuring the safety and reliability of our nation's naval nuclear reactors, and training the Sailors who operate those reactors in the U.S. Navy's submarines and aircraft carrier Fleets. Looking for a lifetime career? Apply today!

Job Description

The Naval Nuclear Laboratory's Structural Material Performance group is seeking a highly motivated Materials Scientist/Engineer to support research & development, evaluation, and application of structural nuclear materials. This position will focus on zirconium-alloy behavior, with particular emphasis on understanding the effects of hydrogen on mechanical performance, degradation mechanisms, and the implications for component and reactor-core applications.

The successful candidate for this position will combine their experience, along with their strong fundamental knowledge of nuclear materials and mechanical behavior to support research and development of core-materials' mechanical performance. This position involves design of experiments, complex data analysis, and detailed technical report writing to describe materials performance and translate conclusions into clear, defensible guidance for design, analysis, and lifecycle support. An important role in this job will be interfacing with materials experts, designers, analysts, internal test laboratories, and external organizations such as national laboratories to drive work from inception to final application. The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is the preeminent reactor design company in the world, and the successful candidate will join a team responsible for the next generation of nuclear reactors.

Required Combination Of Knowledge And Skill

Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in a related technical, engineering or science field and a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience; or Masters degree from an accredited college or university in a related technical, engineering or science field and a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience; or Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a related technical, engineering, science field; or Currently an Advanced Reactor Training Engineer, Refueling Engineer, or Field (RPCO) Engineer at the Company.

Preferred Skills

  • PhD in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering or other related field
  • Experience in performing research and development in nuclear materials
  • Experience in materials testing and characterization including metallography, electron microscopy, and analysis of test results
  • Experience/understanding in material fabrication processes
  • Experience with design of experiments or other laboratory background
  • Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate technical information both verbally and in writing
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment

Compensation And Benefits

  • Health, Dental, Vision & Voluntary Benefits
  • Disability, Life & Accident Insurance
  • 401(k) Savings program & Capital Accumulation Plan
  • Personal & Medical Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Flexible Work Schedules
  • Tuition Assistance for Eligible Employees
  • Student Debt Benefit Personal Time Off Sell Program
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Wellness Program
  • Visit us online to view all NNL benefits!

Pay Range

$86,100.00 - $134,600.00 annually

Salary information provided is a general guideline only. Annual salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC (FMP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fluor Corporation. Naval Nuclear Laboratory personnel are FMP employees who work at four DOE facilities: Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, Kenneth A. Kesselring Site, and Naval Reactors Facility, and at the U.S. Department of Defense-owned Nuclear Power Training Unit-Charleston. FMP employees also have an established presence at numerous shipyards, satellite, and vendor locations.

For more than 75 years, the Naval Nuclear Laboratory has developed advanced nuclear propulsion technology, provided technical support, and trained world-class nuclear operators to ensure the safe and reliable operation of our nation's submarine and aircraft carrier fleets. The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is a national asset solely dedicated to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. We rely on the dedication and innovation of our nearly 8000 engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel.

All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. FMP is a government contractor and maintains a drug free workplace and workforce. All candidates must be able to pass a drug test in compliance with FMP company policy and 10 CFR 707. Marijuana is a Federal Schedule I controlled substance and illegal under Federal Law. Therefore, FMP is required to test for marijuana.

Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other criteria protected by federal, state, or local law.

Salary : $86,100 - $134,600

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Materials Engineer?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Materials Engineer career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$88,239 - $107,750
Income Estimation: 
$92,981 - $138,294
Income Estimation: 
$108,127 - $132,532
Income Estimation: 
$110,528 - $145,291
Income Estimation: 
$74,709 - $91,149
Income Estimation: 
$78,358 - $110,920
Income Estimation: 
$88,239 - $107,750
Income Estimation: 
$90,951 - $115,468
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Naval Nuclear Laboratory (FMP)

  • Naval Nuclear Laboratory (FMP) Idaho, ID
  • Working at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory we foster pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, ... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Naval Nuclear Laboratory (FMP) Idaho, ID
  • Working at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory we foster pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, ... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Naval Nuclear Laboratory (FMP) Idaho, ID
  • Working at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory we foster pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, ... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Naval Nuclear Laboratory (FMP) Idaho, ID
  • Working at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory we foster pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, ... more
  • 1 Day Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Materials Engineer jobs in the Niskayuna, NY area that may be a better fit.

  • YINCAE Advanced Materials LLC. San Jose, CA
  • YINCAE Advanced Materials, LLC is a global leader in developing, manufacturing, and supplying high-performance coatings, adhesives, and electronic material... more
  • 6 Days Ago

  • TINCI MATERIALS Houston, TX
  • Civil & Installation Engineer to join the Owner’s project team on a large-scale industrial construction project in Baytown, Texas. This role is critical to... more
  • 1 Month Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!