Edgewater Technical Associates is seeking qualified candidates for a Nuclear Fuel Engineer opportunity in Johnson City, TN.
Work Location: Johnson City, TN
Position Summary:
We are seeking a highly skilled and detail‑oriented Nuclear Fuels Engineer to support the design, analysis, and performance optimization of nuclear fuel used in commercial and advanced reactor systems. In this role, you will work at the intersection of materials science, reactor physics, and manufacturing engineering to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient fuel performance throughout its lifecycle. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a regulated, technically rigorous environment and enjoys solving complex engineering challenges.
Duties and Responsibilities:
· Develop and refine nuclear fuel designs, including pellet geometry, cladding materials, and assembly configurations.
· Perform thermal, mechanical, and neutronic analyses to evaluate fuel behavior under normal operation and transient conditions.
· Support modeling and simulation activities using industry‑standard tools and in‑house codes.
· Assess fuel performance data and contribute to design improvements.
· Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure fuel designs are producible, cost‑effective, and compliant with specifications.
· Provide engineering support for fuel fabrication processes such as powder preparation, pellet pressing, sintering, and rod assembly.
· Troubleshoot production issues and implement corrective actions to maintain product quality and consistency.
· Prepare technical documentation, safety analyses, and design reports for regulatory submissions.
· Ensure all fuel designs and processes comply with required quality standards (e.g., NQA‑1, ISO 9001).
· Participate in audits, design reviews, and safety evaluations.
Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
· 5+ years of experience in nuclear fuel manufacturing, fuel design, fuel performance modeling, or fuel fabrication.
· Strong understanding of reactor physics, heat transfer, and materials behavior.
· Experience with engineering analysis tools (e.g., finite‑element analysis, neutronics codes).
· Ability to work in a highly regulated environment with strict procedural discipline.
Other Job Requirements:
· United States Citizenship
· Ability to work on-site, there is not a remote option for this position
If you are interested in being considered for this position and your resume clearly outlines your relevant experience for this position, please follow the application steps via our website: www.edgewatertech.net/careers
Edgewater will not submit your resume without first having detailed discussions with you and obtaining your permission to do so. We look forward to hearing from you!
WORKING WITH EDGEWATER TECHNICAL ASSOCIATES
Founded in 2003, Edgewater Technical Associates, LLC (Edgewater) is a New Mexico-based small business headquartered in Los Alamos, NM, with five (5) regional offices across the United States to locally support their growing presence at project sites. Edgewater has a proven track record and is a trusted provider of fixed-price construction projects, engineering, and technical services for the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DOD), National Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Canadian Commercial Nuclear Industry, and private sector commercial contractors involved in nuclear, high-hazard, or complex operations. Edgewater’s experience and guidance ensure that its customers perform hazardous operations, comply with regulatory requirements, and maintain the highest quality and safety standards.
Originally founded to support the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Edgewater now supports customers across the U.S. and Canada. Edgewater has five offices, with corporate headquarters in Los Alamos, NM and regional offices in Carlsbad, NM; Oak Ridge, TN; Aiken, SC; and Richland, WA.
Edgewater is committed to recruiting and maintaining a staff of highly skilled professionals to support our customers. In keeping with this objective, we offer highly competitive salaries and employee benefit packages structured to best suit your needs. We offer multiple individual and family benefit options including paid time off, medical, dental, life, vision, and disability insurance, and a pre- and post-tax 401 (k) retirement account with Company matching contributions and 100% vesting for eligible participants beginning DAY 1.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Edgewater is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veterans, or individuals with disabilities in accordance with EO 14173.
View all Edgewater opportunities at www.edgewatertech.net/careers