Ceramic Materials Engineer (Open to All Levels)

Position Title: Ceramic Materials Engineer

Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting direct hire Ceramic Materials Engineer opportunity.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the design, evaluation, and qualification of SiC and graphite components used in advanced reactor systems.
• Analyze SiC and graphite material properties including thermal conductivity, strength, oxidation resistance, creep behavior, and dimensional stability.
• Support graphite material selection, procurement specifications, and supplier technical evaluations.
• Perform engineering analyses related to performance in a high-temperature reactor environment.
• Evaluate SiC and graphite behavior under thermal gradients, irradiation conditions, and operational environments.
• Support development of material qualification plans, test requirements, and technical documentation.
• Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, nuclear, and systems engineering teams.
• Review technical literature and industry data related to material performance in HTGR applications.
• Prepare engineering reports, calculations, presentations, and licensing support documentation.
• Participate in design reviews and technical discussions with internal and external stakeholders.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of engineering experience; internship, research, and laboratory experience are applicable.
• Understanding of materials science fundamentals, material properties, and degradation mechanisms.
• Knowledge of material performance in a nuclear reactor environment, including irradiation effects, oxidation behavior, fracture mechanics, or creep mechanisms.
• Experience with materials testing, characterization techniques, or qualification programs.
• Ability to analyze technical data and communicate engineering conclusions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience with graphite, carbon-based materials, ceramics, or high-temperature materials.
• Experience with nuclear-grade graphite or HTGR materials.
• Familiarity with ASME standards, NRC licensing processes, or nuclear material requirements.
• Experience with engineering analysis tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, COMSOL, MATLAB, or Python.

Job Details:

• Job Type: Full-time
• Salary Range: $85K- $215K
• Location: Oak Brook, IL (Onsite).
• Due to government contract requirements, this position is restricted to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residential or GC Holder only.

About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.