Materials Engineer at standardnuclearinc

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 Materials Engineer will support development, testing, and scale-up of advanced materials and manufacturing processes for Standard Nuclear. This role is focused on materials development, experimental process work, technical problem-solving, and transition of promising methods from laboratory or pilot-scale work toward reliable production capability.   The Materials Engineer will work closely with engineering, fuel development, manufacturing, quality, characterization, and operations teams to evaluate material behavior, develop and refine processing methods, support test campaigns, analyze results, and help define practical paths toward repeatable manufacturing. This role requires a hands-on technical approach, strong engineering judgment, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment where processes, equipment, and requirements may still be evolving.   Success in this role requires curiosity, discipline, clear documentation, and the ability to turn development work into usable technical knowledge that supports future manufacturing decisions.     RESPONSIBILITIES   Materials Development & Testing   Support development and refinement of advanced materials processing methods from concept, laboratory, or pilot-scale activities toward repeatable manufacturing processes   Plan, execute, and document development activities, including test campaigns, process trials, equipment runs, and material evaluations   Evaluate relationships between process conditions, material behavior, product attributes, yield, and repeatability   Use experimental data, observations, characterization results, and engineering judgment to recommend next steps   Identify technical risks, process limitations, material constraints, and improvement opportunities during development work     Process Development & Scale-Up   Support transition of materials and chemical processes from development-scale work to production-capable manufacturing methods   Develop and optimize processing parameters to improve consistency, quality, yield, and process performance   Work hands-on with processing equipment to support installation, operation, troubleshooting, and optimization   Support process control strategies, operating windows, and acceptance criteria for developing manufacturing processes   Collaborate with cross-functional teams to incorporate lessons learned from development work into future production methods, procedures, and technical requirements     Materials Characterization & Technical Analysis   Work with characterization, quality, and engineering teams to evaluate material properties, product quality, and process performance   Review characterization data, process data, test results, and production observations to identify trends and technical conclusions   Support root cause investigations related to material behavior, process variability, yield loss, or product performance   Help define testing needs, acceptance criteria, and evaluation methods for development activities   Translate technical findings into clear recommendations for engineering, manufacturing, and leadership stakeholders     Engineering & Equipment Support   Contribute to the design, selection, installation, and refinement of processing systems, tooling, fixtures, and test equipment   Work with mechanical, process, manufacturing, and facilities engineers to support development projects and scale-up efforts   Support equipment readiness, process trials, commissioning activities, and troubleshooting of development or pilot-scale systems   Provide input on equipment capability, maintainability, process reliability, material handling, and scale-up considerations   Assist with technical specifications, process descriptions, equipment requirements, and process control methods     Documentation & Cross-Functional Collaboration   Document procedures, process parameters, test plans, observations, results, conclusions, and recommended next steps in accordance with company and quality expectations   Prepare technical summaries, development reports, process documentation, and supporting materials for internal review   Communicate technical findings, risks, issues, and recommendations clearly to engineering, development, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams   Participate in cross-functional problem-solving, technical reviews, project planning, and process improvement activities   Maintain strong attention to safety, quality, documentation, and technical rigor in all development work     PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS   Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred    3+ years of experience in materials development, chemical processing, advanced manufacturing, process development, pilot-scale production, or related technical environments    Experience with nuclear fuels, ceramic materials, powders, high-temperature materials, uranium-bearing materials, or comparable advanced materials preferred    Relevant adjacent experience in advanced ceramics, specialty materials, batteries, semiconductors, aerospace materials, additive manufacturing, chemical process development, or high-temperature manufacturing will be considered    Hands-on experience with processing equipment, test campaigns, pilot systems, laboratory systems, or manufacturing development activities    Strong understanding of material behavior, process variables, experimental methods, process controls, and scale-up challenges    Ability to evaluate process performance, yield, repeatability, product quality, and material properties using data and technical judgment    Strong documentation, communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills     BENEFITS   Health, Dental & Vision Insurance   Health Savings Account   Disability and Life Insurance   401(k) Plan   Paid Time Off and Holidays     WORK ENVIRONMENT   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 these functions.   Work is performed in a combination of laboratory, manufacturing, and office settings.   May involve standing for extended periods, working around equipment, or handling materials.   Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required.   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, applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.