Computational Materials Engineer II-III

X-energy LLC conducts a thorough recruiting process and will never issue offers without interview to discuss qualifications and responsibilities. All applications will be submitted via our company career page, www.x-energy.com/careers/. We will never ask you to provide payment information as part of the recruiting process. If anyone claiming to represent X-energy directs you in a manner otherwise, please contact us at www.x-energy.com/contact-us.

Job Description

This role is responsible for performing engineering tasks associated with selecting, qualifying, and conducting lifetime assessment analyses for materials in a nuclear reactor or nuclear facility.

 

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement methodologies to qualify and characterize materials, especially metallic alloys, graphite, composites, and welding materials for nuclear reactor applications including in high temperature environments.
• Support selection of appropriate materials, test methods, codes and standards, and prepare material specifications for component procurement.
• Inform development of and assist in oversight of materials testing programs to collect material properties and establish basis for material qualifications.
• Use engineering tools, including appropriate simulation software, hand calculations, and engineering judgment, assess microscale behavior, grain boundaries, surface effects, degradation behavior (corrosion, oxidation kinetics, neutron damage, etc.), and lifetime performance of materials.
• The role may include specialization in one or more of the following areas
• Perform and assist material degradation analysis for graphite and composite components of X-energy developed reactors, including graphite core assemblies, and assessment of as-manufactured, irradiated, and oxidized data.
• Collect and use data to support the generation of constitutive material models / analytical tools and perform and assist structural integrity, cracking, dimensional change, and stress/deformation evaluations for irradiated graphite.
• Support the assessment of SSCs for response to environmental conditions at the direction of project leads.
• Consider effects of tribology and material property evolution on system and component design as a function of temperature and environment.
• Write and develop design and analysis documentation including design basis documents, technical reports, calculations, and drawings in accordance with applicable procedures, as well as industry publications and engagement in professional forums.
• Develop Verification and Validation (V&V) plans for analytical tools and support qualification of toolsets.
• Perform work in accordance with X-energy quality procedures for design and configuration management to ensure project quality requirements are met.
• Provide independent reviews and acceptance reviews of engineering deliverables and data.
• Maintain professional demeanor and behavior at all times in all forms of communication.
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager.

Job Qualifications:

• Level II

  • Level Tasks/Responsibilities

    • Support team members with the execution of the core tasks and responsibilities listed in the Job Profile Task/Responsibilities section of this document, under guided supervision.

    • Coordinate with engineering team members, partners, and suppliers to facilitate the convergence of efforts, allow design closure, provide design assurance, and deliver high quality engineering work products.

  • Level Minimum Qualifications

    • Typically, three years of experience in an engineering role required.

    • A master’s degree in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of two years of experience.

    • A Ph.D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of three years of experience.

• Level III

  • Level Tasks/Responsibilities

    • Execute the core tasks and responsibilities listed in the Job Profile Task/Responsibilities section of this document, with minimal supervision.

    • Provide ownership, responsibility, and accountability over technical scope involving the coordination of multiple individual contributors working in a specific area.

  • Level Minimum Qualifications

    • Typically, five years of experience in an engineering role required.

    • A master’s degree in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of two years of experience.

    • A Ph.D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of three years of experience.

  • Previous experience at X-energy exceeding performance standards may be in lieu of years of experience.
  • Experience with nonmetallic materials behavior (e.g. ceramic / composite / graphite / brittle materials)

Preferred Skills

• Understanding statistical methods, probability concepts, and uncertainty analysis approaches.
• Programming experience (with Python preferred), including:
• Data analysis and visualization capabilities
• Basic scripting for automation and data processing
• Ability to learn and work with engineering software interfaces
• Foundation in mathematical and computational methods including:
• Statistics and probability
• Numerical methods
• Data analysis techniques
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to document technical work clearly.
• Self-motivated with strong problem-solving abilities and willingness to learn new computational tools and methods.
• Exposure to or coursework in uncertainty quantification, sensitivity analysis, or statistical methods (e.g., Monte Carlo methods, variance-based methods, screening techniques).
• Experience or academic background in material modeling, constitutive behavior, or computational materials science.
• Familiarity with nonmetallic materials behavior (graphite, ceramics, composites, brittle materials) or anisotropic material systems.
• Experience with material testing.
• Experience with finite element analysis software (Ansys, Abaqus, or similar).
• Exposure to nuclear materials, irradiation effects, or high-temperature material behavior.
• Familiarity with version control systems and collaborative development practices.
• Understanding of nuclear industry codes and standards for materials.
• Experience working in quality-assured engineering environments.
• Background in graphite, ceramics, or anisotropic materials is valued but not required. We seek candidates with strong analytical foundations and eagerness to develop expertise in nuclear materials applications.

Location: 530 Gaither Road, Rockville MD
Work Site Expectations:  4 days in office

Travel Expectations: up to 10% as needed

Hours: Standard office schedule are 8:00am-5:00pm ET, Mon-Fri

Compensation

As required by Maryland and other applicable state law, X Energy, LLC (X-energy) lists the expected compensation range for a publicly advertised job opportunity based upon the job requirements (e.g. education/training, experience, skill sets, etc.). Individual candidates who meet the job requirements for the posted position will be offered a salary within this range based on their respective levels of education/training, experience, and other qualifications unique to them. Salary ranges may vary based on the specific office location and region referenced in the posting to take into consideration differences in cost of living and may not be reflective of all regions. Please note that compensation ranges listed for US job postings reflect base salary only and do not include benefits or other incentives.

 

Offers within the posted salary range are commensurate with the individual’s qualifications for the position, along with a view on internal equity, market data, and room for growth. The salary range for this position is:

Engineer II - $95,000 - $115,000 , Engineer III - $110,000 - $135,000

Position Job Classification

Full time - Exempt

Benefits 

X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package that includes a 401K plan with an employer match, Medical/Dental /Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development policy that supports the continuing education of our employees. 

An Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.   

X Energy, LLC participates in E-Verify. Please visit the links below for more information about E-Verify and the protection of your Right to Work. 

Right To Work Link:  If you have the right to work, don't let anyone take it away (e-verify.gov)

E-Verify Participation Link:  E-Verify Participation Poster English and Spanish