Demo

Senior Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, TN Full Time
POSTED ON 9/29/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/28/2025

Requisition Id 15264

Overview:
We are seeking an individual highly familiar with the nuclear fuel cycle to work as a Senior level nuclear fuel cycle specialist in support of various U.S. government projects. This position resides in the Materials Security and Counterproliferation (MS&C) Group in the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division (NND) in the National Security Sciences Directorate (NSSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The Nuclear Nonproliferation Division performs research and development to detect, characterize, and monitor nuclear fuel cycle activities and nuclear explosions; develops concepts, approaches, and technologies to strengthen global security for nuclear and radiological material; and engages with federal agencies to enhance international nonproliferation regimes.

This position will directly support the Principal Investigator for existing programs and projects with focus on collection, collation, and assessment efforts in support of U.S. government sponsors. The selected candidate will focus on the following analytic and or raw reporting functions:
  • Threat Analysis (evaluate and communicate real-time analytic judgments)
  • Collection Management (enhance ongoing information collection capabilities and disseminate raw information against priority collection requirements dictated by the sponsor)
  • Domain Analysis (consolidate comprehensive information into strategic analytic products that contextualize information), and
  • Reports Officer for DOE HQ (prepare raw information in a timely manner through various forms of media, and documents).

The selected candidate will also evaluate and archive a wide range of classified information and produce written products and briefings pertaining to specific nuclear fuel cycle topics to inform senior policymakers in the sponsor’s organization. The selected candidate will support technical exchanges with foreign counterparts as necessary. The selected candidate will also be responsible for integrating the information with existing classified electronic document management systems (EDMS).

Major Duties/Responsibilities:
  • Work in conjunction with the overall portfolio manager to ensure seamless integration within the larger effort.
  • Report directly to the principal investigator managing the assessments portfolio, focused specifically on materials attractiveness.
  • Research and report on various nuclear fuel cycle topics including advanced/small modular reactors and all aspects of their fuel cycles to include feedstock preparation, fuel fabrication, fuel management, reprocessing of used nuclear fuel, and waste disposal.
  • Research and report on cost and technical analyses for advanced/small modular reactors and all aspects of their fuel cycles.
  • Assess proliferation and terrorism risks associated with various advanced/small modular reactors and all aspects of their fuel cycles.
  • Work directly with the sponsor to ensure that the targeted analytical reports meet sponsor’s needs and expectations.
  • Develop new tools that utilize an existing collection of collection tools to ingest large volumes of raw information from multiple sources.
  • Collate and organize the raw information into an existing EDMS framework.
  • Author analytical products.
  • Present the analytical products both internally and externally in a variety of formats.
  • Assist the overall program manager with representing this body of work both internally and externally.
  • Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field with a minimum of 10 years of fuel cycle experience.
  • Broad familiarity of the nuclear fuel cycle.
  • Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently or in a team.
  • Ability to set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within scope, schedule, and budget.
  • Ability to adapt quickly to an ever-changing environment.
  • Must possess excellent problem-solving skills and be capable of working with substantial amounts of data.
  • Experience providing on-call technical service to respond to customer needs promptly.
  • Strong written and verbal communication and organizational management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Certification and/or advanced degree in Nuclear or Chemical Engineering.
  • Direct experience working with large volumes of data and information.
  • Familiarity with business (artificial) intelligence software.
  • Experience and demonstrated capability with SCALE, OpenMC, and MCNP.
  • An ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Special Requirements:
  • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. In addition, due the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.


About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.


ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.


Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.


If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.


We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.


If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.


ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

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