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ProcessSystem Engineer

Consolidated Nuclear Security

Job Location:

Oak Ridge, TN - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer

Posted: 22 July 2026 (30+ days ago)

Application Deadline: 21 October 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Location:Oak Ridge TN
Job Title: Process/System Engineer
Career Level From: Associate
Career Level To: Senior Specialist
Organization: UPF Operations Engineering ()
Job Specialty: Core Engineering

What Youll Do

We are looking for talented System Engineers and Process Engineers to support the Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) at the Y-12 National Security Complex! The UPF is a multi-billion-dollar state-of-the-art facility designed to modernize the nations enriched uranium operations. These positions will support start-up testing readiness commissioning and ongoing operations of the new facility.

System Engineer

As a System Engineer (SE)/Cognizant System Engineer (CSE) you will have ultimate technical ownership over the reliability safety and performance of critical plant systems. Operating under established nuclear quality standards you will serve as the technical lead to ensure UPF operates safely and efficiently to support national security.

What Youll Do (Key Responsibilities)

Serve as Technical Authority: Act as the designated SE/CSE driving overall plant system operability predictive maintenance and health assessments.
Lead Design and Configuration Control: Prepare and review technical configuration control and complex design change packages while collaborating closely with the Configuration Management program.
Support Maintenance: Assist with strategic maintenances planning to optimize production to include development of maintenance packages and post maintenance tests.
Solve Complex Problems: Lead multidisciplinary troubleshooting efforts to resolve challenging equipment issues optimize system performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Process Engineer

As a Process Engineer you will serve as the primary Subject Matter Expert (SME) over highly specialized manufacturing operations critical to ensuring the recovery and supply of uranium and supporting the long-term reliability and integrity of the nations nuclear weapons stockpile.

In this role you will bridge the gap between design and production leading the implementation of new processes from initial concept and readiness testing to full-scale facility operations.

What Youll Do (Key Responsibilities)

Process Operations: Support advanced chemical machining or metalworking operations in a dynamic high-precision production environment.
Drive Process Excellence: Lead the design development and implementation of new weapon chemical and recovery processes as well as modifications to existing procedures to maximize safety quality and efficiency.
Champion Operational Readiness: Review start-up plans support readiness assessments for new processes and supervise tests to ensure compliance with design agency specifications and safety bases.
Troubleshoot & Optimize: Conduct deep-dive process evaluations and studies to proactively resolve technical bottlenecks enhance throughput and maintain process integrity.
Train and Mentor: Partner with training coordinators to develop curricula and advise operations personnel on new processes and updated procedures.

What You Can Expect

Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
Top-notch dedicated colleagues
Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
Career advancement and professional development programs
Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives

Minimum Job Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Physical Science Chemistry Physics or related from an Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program in the United States or designated equivalents from Canada or Mexico the Washington Accord or the list of substantially equivalent as documented by ABET. OR MS in Engineering/Physical science. OR PhD in Engineering/Physical science.
There is a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement up to 4 years post-graduation at time of offer and confirmed by transcript. Beyond four years from graduation engineering experience will supersede GPA as a requirement for hire.
- 3.0/4.0 minimum cumulative GPA for Bachelor degree
- 3.3 minimum cumulative GPA for Master degree
- 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA for PhD
In addition the applicant must meet the requirements of DOE O 426.2A (i.e. Baccalaureate in engineering or related scientific major 2 years job-related and 1-year nuclear experience; or a DOE O 426.2A alternative). DOE 426.2A experience requirements can be satisfied following the interim newly hired personnel will not be assigned duties that could impact the safety basis of nuclear facilities. (Ref. DOE O 426.2A)

Preferred Job Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Chemical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Industrial Engineering Material Science/Metallurgical Engineering) with manufacturing experience ranging from two to seven years.
Must demonstrate the ability to handle complex assignments and to have good oral and written communication skills. Must be willing to work in a production environment and be able to interact and communicate clearly with hourly employees as well as technical personnel and management.
Requires significant amounts of time in production environments.
Candidate must be capable of performing technical assignments requiring originality and exhibit independence in utilizing engineering knowledge and experience.
Must be able to review and analyze data and use statistical process control techniques.
Must be able to interpret mechanical drawings and dimensional inspection results.
Frequent use and application of technical standards principles theories concepts and techniques
Understanding of Conduct of Engineering Conduct of Operations and Conduct of Maintenance for facilities operating within a nuclear regulated environment
The ability to evaluate and provide feedback on new and proposed revisions to technical operating procedures design drawings and requirements and facility systems structures and components
Able to make informed decisions and support those decisions to peers and senior management

Why Y-12

You get #morethanajob. We encourage employees to achieve a healthy personal balance among home work and the community. One of the ways we embrace work-life balance is by offering flexible work arrangements that provide alternatives to the traditional workweek while still meeting business needs. Top talent and personal commitment mean more to our success than any other factors so we reward our people with the kinds of benefits that make a positive difference in the quality of their lives. Benefits such as: medical plan prescription drug plan vision plan dental plan employer matched 401(k) savings plan disability coverage education reimbursement and many more. Want to stay healthy and fit but hate the cost of a gym membership Take advantage of one of our onsite workout facilities and eat healthy in our onsite cafeterias. Much more than a workplace at Y-12 you can build a career that lasts a lifetime.

Notes

The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.

If a range of Career Levels is posted i.e. Senior Associate to Senior Specialist internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.

Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.

Position may require entry into Materials Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP). If HRP is required candidate must complete a counterintelligence-scope polygraph pursuant to 10CFR 709. Medical requirements may apply.

CNS is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical drug screening and background investigation. As an employee you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to being randomly selected for drug testing without advance notification.

CNS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color gender sexual orientation gender identity age religion national origin ancestry genetic information disability or veteran status.

Required Experience:

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