Nuclear Fuel Design & Manufacturing Technical Leader

📍Location: Florida, Texas, Washington, California, or Remote

Salary Range: $130,000-$280,000

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The Role

We are seeking a Nuclear Fuel Design & Manufacturing Technical Leader to own fuel form definition, manufacturing process development, and scale-up from R&D through qualified production. This role bridges nuclear fuel design (materials, geometry, performance requirements, finite element analysis) with real-world fabrication (coated particle, ceramic and metallic fuel forms, coating/CVD processes, compaction, sintering, QA/QC, and supply chain readiness). The leader will build and mentor a small team, drive cross-functional execution, and interface with regulators and test partners to support qualification, but also be expected to be the main individual technical contributor for the first 6 months of their tenure and potentially beyond (working management, not armchair critic). Candidates that only meet half of the wide skillsets described in this job description may still be considered in lieu of waiting for unicorn.

What You’ll Do

  • Lead fuel form design decisions, including fuel geometry, material selections (oxide, carbide, nitride, TRISO-based forms, Thorium, MOX, uranium), coating systems, and acceptance criteria. Experience with multiple fuel types preferred (but even someone purely dedicated to slightly adjusting basic UO2 for LWRs for decades we would be open to exploring).
  • Own manufacturing process development and scale-up, including process flow definition, tooling, equipment specification, and transition from lab to pilot to production.
  • Perform (or oversee, but preferably someone able to perform) fuel performance analyses with software such as FRAPCON, FALCON, FUELSIM, PEGAUS, or other such finite element method tools (honestly, helping pick out which of the hundred similar sounding softwares to implement on which job will be a big help)
  • Develop and optimize coating and high-temperature processing where relevant (CVD/PyC/SiC for TRISO, sintering, HIP, heat treatment, encapsulation, and joining).
  • Define and implement QA/QC and metrology plans, including sampling strategies, process controls, and documentation aligned with nuclear quality expectations.
  • Coordinate fuel qualification activities: test planning, irradiation campaigns, post-irradiation examination (PIE), and data packages supporting licensing and safety analysis.
  • Partner with reactor design, neutronics, thermal-hydraulics, and safety teams to ensure fuel assumptions and manufacturing realities stay consistent.
  • Build external partnerships with national labs, universities, suppliers, and contract manufacturers; evaluate make vs buy decisions and manage technical interfaces.
  • Create clear engineering documentation (requirements, travelers, work instructions, specifications, change control) and lead design/manufacturing reviews.
  • Mentor and grow a multidisciplinary team of fuel engineers, materials scientists, and manufacturing/process engineers.

Qualifications

BS, MS, or PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field

8+ years of experience in nuclear fuel development and/or fuel manufacturing (TRISO, ceramic fuels, metallic fuels, or adjacent nuclear materials manufacturing), Collegiate research in these areas may be counted. Candidates that only meet half of the wide skillsets described in this job description may still be considered in lieu of waiting for unicorn.

Demonstrated experience scaling a process from R&D to pilot/production, including equipment selection and process control

Hands-on familiarity with at least one of: coated particle fuel (CVD), ceramic processing/sintering, powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing integration, or fuel element assembly

Experience with nuclear QA expectations and regulated documentation practices (DOE/NRC or equivalent)

Strong leadership and communication skills, including cross-functional technical decision making

US citizenship or eligibility for security clearance may be required depending on program

Why This Role

  • Own one of the highest-impact technical areas in advanced nuclear: turning fuel concepts into qualified, manufacturable reality.
  • Build and lead a fuel organization, shaping team, processes, and partners.
  • Direct influence on reactor performance, licensing credibility, and cost of goods.

Benefits

Competitive salary • 401(k) with match • Health, dental & vision insurance • Equity • Relocation Assistance