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Overview:

The Materials Science and Metallurgy Branch serving the Materials and Processes Laboratory (EM31) at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, AL has an opening for a Nuclear Materials Engineer. This Nuclear Materials Engineer role will be part of a small, but high performing team including engineers, technicians, and interns. As a contributor on this team, the selected individual will provide support for the nuclear propulsion team by researching materials for extreme environments including nuclear fuel design and development to support NASA’s Space Nuclear Propulsion (SNP) Program. The emphasis of this role is on research, design, and testing of materials of interest at elevated temperatures and under a hot hydrogen environment Be a part of our team, as we support the exciting challenge to return mankind back to the Moon and beyond.

Nuclear Materials Engineer:

• Work with other researchers to elaborate fuel development plans and execute miscellaneous research activities with other collaborators from DOD, private sector, and academia.
  
  
• Perform synthesis of materials of interest for space nuclear propulsion including nuclear fuels, refractory metals, and ceramic materials.
  
  
• Conduct characterization of materials tested under extreme environments.
  
  
• Operate equipment including high temperature furnaces, gloveboxes, 3D printers, and coordinate annual maintenance on equipment and miscellaneous systems.
  
  
• Comply with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) safety guidelines and protocols in radiological laboratories.
  
  
• Present research findings including scientific data to peers, managers, and outside collaborators.
  
  
• Interact with senior level management and non-technical audiences.
  
  
• Write research plans, technical reports, and research proposals to increase collaborations internally, with private sector, and academia.
  
  
• Use computers and computer software daily to generate reports, gather data and communicate test results.
  
  
• Interface with Engineering and Science Services Capabilities Augmentation (ESSCA) engineers, ESSCA technicians, and NASA customers as part of their daily duties.
  
  

Qualifications

Degree in mechanical engineering, materials engineering, or related field from an ABET-accredited university. Typically, educational and experience requirements are the equivalent of a BS with at least 5 years’ experience, Masters with at least 3 years’ experience or Ph.D.. Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.

The candidate is required to have outstanding technical experience or qualifications in one or more of the following areas:

• Strong knowledge and background in Mechanical Science and Engineering or Materials Science and Engineering.
  
  
• Proficiency in the operation of high temperature furnaces, glove boxes and 3D Printers.
  
  
• Proficiency in the characterization of materials such as nuclear fuels, refractory metals and ceramic materials.
  
  
• Experience with the safety guidelines and protocols in radiological laboratories and maintaining compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
  
  
• Ability to write proposals, manuscripts, and technical reports.
  
  
• Highly organized with demonstrated skills to simultaneously coordinate and manage multiple projects to full completion.
  
  
• Adapting to the changing environments of technology development, while maintaining and gaining certifications for critical processes.
  
  
• Working in a team environment with other technicians and engineers, providing ideas and recommendations on improving design, testing, operation and safety.
  
  
• Proficiency with using computers and applicable software to gather, store and recall testing data and communicate testing results and reports. Implement machine commands for test execution and data collection.
  
  
• Must be a self-starter and collaborative problem-solver with a research and design mindset.
  
  
• Communicating verbally and in writing: work, design status, test results, problems, and proposed actions with engineers, customers, and government representatives. Ability to thoroughly document findings and actions is essential.
  
  

A highly qualified candidate will have some or all of the following experience:

• Extensive experience with high temperature furnaces.
  
  
• Experience with high temperature materials (refractory carbides, ultra-high temperature-ceramics, or alloys for extreme environments).
  
  
• Previous internship or post-doctoral experience in a nuclear materials engineering role.
  
  
• Experience with metallographic sample preparation (mounting, grinding, polishing).
  
  
• Materials characterization experience including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) etc.
  
  
• Proven experience developing and executing designs of experiments.
  
  
• Proven record of scientific publications in peer reviewed journals.
  
  
• Independently troubleshooting laboratory research materials problems, identifying appropriate corrective actions, and implementing corrective actions upon approval.
  
  
• Production and testing of aerospace hardware.
  
  
• Project management and manufacturing process control.
  
  
• Experience following ASTM test methods concerning materials compatibility and analysis.
  
  

Essential Functions

Work Environment:

General office environment (20%), lab environment (80%). Requires ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing (100%). Requires ability to interact professionally with co-workers, management, and client (100%). Travel may be necessary, but infrequent (<5%)

Physical Requirements:

Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers, management, and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues (10%). Requires sitting at a desk to write reports and perform engineering task activities (10%). Requires walking, standing, lifting, bending in a lab environment with hazards that require wearing safety glasses, hearing protection, foot protection, gloves, and other personal protective equipment to perform some operations (80%). Work will be performed on-site at NASA/ Marshall Space Flight Center (100%).

Equipment and Machines:

Requires ability to operate a personal computer, a telephone, fax machine, copier, calculator, and other general office equipment (50%). Requires the ability to operate materials test equipment (50%).

Attendance:

Normal workday is from 7:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Overtime during the week and weekends may be required to meet schedules (50% max). Attendance and being prompt is important to provide continuous service to the customer; adequate arrangements for delegating duties during absences is required. Regular attendance and punctuality are mandatory for meetings and other planned occasions. (100%).

Other Essential Functions:

The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgment is essential (100%). Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.

#ESSCA, #JSEG, #ASED