Fuel Ceramic Engineer

Position Title: Fuel Ceramic Engineer

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

Job Responsibilities:

• 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.

Job 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 Job 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.

Job Details:

• Job Type: Full-time
• Salary Range: $110-$255K
• Location: Oak Ridge, TN (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.