Fuel Ceramic Engineer

Role details

Oak Ridge, TN | Hybrid | Relocation Available

Develop the Manufacturing Processes Behind Next-Generation Nuclear Fuel

Nano Nuclear Energy is seeking a Fuel Ceramic Engineer to lead the development of ceramic body and pellet fabrication processes for advanced nuclear fuel. This is a hands-on opportunity to take technical ownership of critical manufacturing processes, solve complex materials challenges, and help scale fabrication methods from laboratory development toward production. You will work directly with materials, equipment, and experimental campaigns while collaborating with fuel coating, characterization, qualification, and other engineering teams.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Technical ownership: Lead the development of ceramic fuel body and pellet fabrication processes.
• Hands-on engineering: Work directly with materials, fabrication equipment, and laboratory and demonstration-facility campaigns.
• Advanced technology: Address complex challenges involving ceramic materials, TRISO particle integrity, microstructure, and dimensional stability.
• Manufacturing scale-up: Help establish repeatable processes, improve yield, and advance fabrication toward production readiness.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Partner with fuel coating, qualification, materials characterization, quality, and other technical teams.
• Develop and optimize ceramic feedstocks, powders, binders, forming methods, thermal processing, densification, and finishing.
• Establish process parameters and controls to achieve target material properties, dimensions, and TRISO particle distribution while minimizing defects.
• Execute fabrication campaigns, operate equipment, troubleshoot processes, and evaluate material performance.
• Investigate manufacturing defects and implement improvements to process consistency, quality, and yield.
• Develop scale-up strategies for progressing from laboratory fabrication to pilot and production-representative manufacturing.
• Maintain technical records, process traceability, and characterization data to support fuel qualification.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to align fabrication processes with downstream coating and qualification requirements.

What You'll Do

• Develop and optimize ceramic feedstocks, powders, binders, forming methods, thermal processing, densification, and finishing.
• Establish process parameters and controls to achieve target material properties, dimensions, and TRISO particle distribution while minimizing defects.
• Execute fabrication campaigns, operate equipment, troubleshoot processes, and evaluate material performance.
• Investigate manufacturing defects and implement improvements to process consistency, quality, and yield.
• Develop scale-up strategies for progressing from laboratory fabrication to pilot and production-representative manufacturing.
• Maintain technical records, process traceability, and characterization data to support fuel qualification.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to align fabrication processes with downstream coating and qualification requirements.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in ceramic engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, nuclear engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in advanced ceramics, ceramic composites, nuclear fuel, powder processing, high-temperature materials, or comparable manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience preparing ceramic materials, operating fabrication or thermal-processing equipment, and troubleshooting experimental processes.
• Strong knowledge of ceramic processing, densification, microstructure, dimensional control, and defect mechanisms.
• Ability to connect process parameters with material properties and translate laboratory methods into controlled pilot or production-intent processes.
• Strong technical writing, experimental planning, problem-solving, and cross-functional communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced technical degree.
• Experience with FCM fuel, TRISO-containing fuel forms, SiC matrix materials, or ceramic-matrix composites.
• Experience with additive ceramic manufacturing, binder jetting, pressing, molding, or slurry-based processing.
• Familiarity with high-temperature furnaces, ceramic machining, tight-tolerance components, and materials inspection.
• Experience with manufacturing scale-up, ASME NQA-1, nuclear material traceability, or configuration control.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hybrid work arrangement in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
• Relocation package available.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 401(k) with up to 5% company match.
• Unlimited PTO, company holidays, and paid parental leave.
• Mentorship, technical leadership, and professional development opportunities.

E3 - Senior Engineer I $110k-$160k

E4 - Senior Engineer II $135k - $185k

E5 - Principal Engineer I $160k - $215k

E6 – Principal Engineer II $185k -$255k

Interested in Building What's Next?

If you bring hands-on ceramic-processing expertise and enjoy turning complex materials challenges into repeatable manufacturing processes, we invite you to explore this opportunity with Nano Nuclear Energy.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NANO Nuclear Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.