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Chemical Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN

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 Chemical Engineer supports Standard Nuclear’s fuel manufacturing operations by improving, scaling, and troubleshooting chemical production processes, with an initial focus on sol-gel operations. This role supports process performance, yield improvement, production reliability, and technical execution for manufacturing activities involving chemical processing, material formation, and downstream production steps. 

This is a hands-on engineering role working closely with operations, fuel development, quality, characterization, EH&S, and radiological controls teams. The Chemical Engineer will help translate process knowledge into repeatable manufacturing practices, identify sources of variation or loss, and implement improvements that increase yield, throughput, product consistency, and operational safety. 

The role requires strong chemical engineering fundamentals, practical manufacturing judgment, and comfort working in a regulated nuclear fuel fabrication environment where process control, documentation, and disciplined execution matter. 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Chemical Process Engineering 

  • Support day-to-day chemical manufacturing operations through process monitoring, troubleshooting, and technical problem-solving 
  • Develop and improve process parameters, operating windows, and production methods to support repeatable output 
  • Identify sources of yield loss, variability, rework, or process inefficiency and implement corrective actions 
  • Partner with operations and technical teams to improve process stability, throughput, and product consistency 
  • Support scale-up of chemical processes from development or pilot activity into more routine production 

 

Yield Improvement & Process Optimization 

  • Analyze production data to identify trends, bottlenecks, defects, and opportunities for yield improvement 
  • Lead or support structured improvement efforts focused on reducing scrap, rework, process downtime, and material loss 
  • Develop practical metrics for monitoring process health, yield, throughput, and operating performance 
  • Use data analysis and engineering judgment to recommend process changes and verify effectiveness 
  • Support root cause investigations related to process deviations, off-spec material, or production interruptions 

 

Manufacturing Support & Technical Execution 

  • Provide technical support to operators, technicians, and supervisors during production activities 
  • Support development and revision of work instructions, operating procedures, batch records, and process documentation 
  • Assist with equipment setup, process readiness, commissioning, and troubleshooting related to chemical processing operations 
  • Coordinate with maintenance, facilities, and I&C teams on equipment issues affecting process performance 
  • Help ensure production activities are properly planned, documented, and executed in accordance with approved procedures 

 

Quality, Characterization & Data Integration 

  • Work with quality and characterization teams to connect process conditions with product attributes and acceptance criteria 
  • Support collection, organization, and interpretation of process and characterization data 
  • Help define sampling, inspection, and data review needs that support manufacturing decisions 
  • Ensure process improvements are supported by appropriate data, documentation, and technical rationale 
  • Support corrective actions and continuous improvement efforts related to product consistency and quality performance 

 

Safety, Radiological Controls & Compliance 

  • Ensure chemical processing work is performed in accordance with site safety, radiological control, environmental, and quality requirements 
  • Support hazard reviews, job planning, and procedure development for chemical processing operations 
  • Partner with EH&S and radiological controls teams to ensure appropriate controls are in place for chemical and radiological work 
  • Promote disciplined work practices, contamination control awareness, and strong procedural compliance 
  • Support audit readiness, training, and documentation expectations for regulated manufacturing operations 

 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

  • Work closely with operations, fuel development, quality, characterization, EH&S, radiological controls, maintenance, supply chain, and engineering teams 
  • Communicate technical issues, process risks, and improvement opportunities clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders 
  • Support production ramp-up by helping convert technical process knowledge into scalable manufacturing practices 
  • Help build a culture of practical problem-solving, process discipline, and continuous improvement 

 

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline 
  • 3–7 years of experience in chemical processing, manufacturing engineering, process engineering, materials processing, or related industrial operations 
  • Experience with sol-gel processing, precipitation, gelation, slurry processing, particle formation, ceramics, powders, or advanced materials manufacturing preferred 
  • Strong understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals including mass balance, reaction kinetics, fluid handling, mixing, heat transfer, process control, and scale-up 
  • Experience improving yield, reducing process variation, troubleshooting production issues, or supporting manufacturing scale-up 
  • Ability to analyze production data, identify trends, and develop practical process improvements 
  • Experience developing or improving operating procedures, work instructions, batch records, or controlled process documentation 
  • Familiarity with regulated manufacturing, quality systems, safety reviews, and disciplined work control preferred 
  • Hands-on mindset with comfort working in manufacturing, laboratory, and controlled environments 
  • Experience in nuclear, chemical processing, ceramics, energy, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, or advanced manufacturing environments is a plus 

 

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. 

The position requires regular interaction with operations, engineering, fuel development, quality, characterization, EH&S, radiological controls, and manufacturing teams. Work may involve chemical processing equipment, laboratory activities, production areas, controlled areas, radiological environments, and use of required PPE. Adherence to site safety, quality, radiological, environmental, and operational procedures is expected. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

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. 

 

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