Experimental Operations Engineer

About the role

The Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) Division at Argonne National Laboratory is seeking an experienced electrical, mechanical, chemical, and/or nuclear engineer to join their multi-disciplinary team. The selected individual will oversee the design, construction, startup, commissioning, operations, and troubleshooting of cutting-edge experimental systems and sub-systems related to the Intermediate Scale Liquid Metal Technology Experimental Facility (METL), its associated hydraulic loops and qualification hardware, and other test loops and NSE Division experiments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the construction, startup, commissioning, and operations of intermediate and small-scale liquid metal technology experiments and provide technical support and/or direction for experimental and programmatic work in the areas of mechanical, electromechanical, optical, and electrical systems.
• Oversee the development, fabrication, troubleshooting, repair, calibration, purchasing, and maintenance for a variety of complex electronic and mechanical apparatus, plant/process equipment, and subsystems, with a specific focus on the intermediate scale liquid metal technology facility (METL) and Argonne’s other liquid metal and surrogate experiments.
• Design and testing of electro-mechanical equipment for advanced reactors that may be destined for testing in the MELT facility or its supporting infrastructure.
• Design and testing of electronic systems which typically consist of power supplies and controllers, data logging hardware, and equipment for temperature and valve control.
• Operate the METL facility or other facilities to provide the necessary conditions for the research and development conducted in the test vessels, etc.
• Coordinate with METL operators the installation and testing of specialized experimental equipment in the METL facility and its associated equipment.

Position Requirements

• Advanced experience with experimental design and operation including instrumentation (thermocouples, pressure transmitters, flow meters, level, etc.) specification, installation and operation.
• Prior resistance heating systems and LabVIEW/Eurotherm/industrial control experience.
• Prior liquid metal and high temperature experimental facility operations.
• Understanding of applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning as applied to experiments is desirable.
• Prior leadership experience.
• Familiarity with industry standards and practices for electrical and/or mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of mechanical equipment (motors, pulleys, gears, pumps, valves, etc.), thermal effects on materials and components (expansion, evaporation, etc.), and operation of a personal computer.
• Knowledge of metallurgy, heat transfer and fluid mechanics.

Qualifications

• Must maintain knowledge and awareness of Laboratory policies and procedures.

Skills

• Must have demonstrated interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Must demonstrate ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package. Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!