Senior Machine Design Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy (DOE) science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. The Enrichment Systems Engineering Section is seeking a Senior Machine Design Engineer who will support the Enrichment Science and Engineering Division (ESED) within the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate (ISED) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

ESED serves the nation in two critical areas: advancing enrichment technologies and exploring stable isotope production and applications. The division leverages an elite staff of scientists and engineers with the world‑leading capabilities of ORNL to deliver groundbreaking advancements with a variety of applications, from national security to life‑saving medical treatments. ESED is the national steward for the research, development, and demonstration of centrifuge technology innovations;

advances electromagnetic isotope separations technology; and delivers stable isotopes for medical, industrial, and DOE mission‑critical applications. The successful candidate will execute these important missions by teaming with ESED’s line management, project managers, and staff to build on a rich history of accomplishments in enrichment science and engineering.

• Lead activities that advance the state‑of‑the‑art in gas centrifuge isotope separator (GCIS) design working closely with analysis, fabrication, assembly, and testing personnel.
• Design complex components and subassemblies for high‑speed rotating equipment using machine design fundamentals and design for manufacturing. Focus areas include: rotors, motors, bearings, suspensions, composites, vibrations, and containment safety design.
• Progress new designs through various stages of testing toward volume production.
• Design containment boundary joints (e.g., mechanical assembly interfaces, electrical feedthroughs, weldments, etc.) to high and ultra‑high vacuum system best practices.
• Design precision specialized fixtures and tooling for fabrication, inspection, testing, and assembly.
• Produce a variety of design output documents including, but not limited to, systems requirements documents, calculations, drawings, bills of materials, specifications, inspection plans, assembly instructions, and test plans/procedures.
• Utilize Solid Works 3D CAD to create models and drawings in accordance with ASME Y14.5. Utilize Solid Works PDM for configuration management.
• Perform tolerance stack‑up and error budget analysis calculations.
• Facilitate formal design reviews, by preparing review documents, organizing primary design contributors, and fielding review panel comments to satisfactory resolution.
• Deliver design outputs within communicated schedule and budget guidance, ensuring that documentation is accurate, clear, and supports downstream work activities.
• Specify materials conforming to national standards (e.g., ASTM, MIL, SAE, UNS, etc.) based on required material properties and technology‑specific vacuum and process gas compatibility guides.
• Identify critical characteristics of components and define the corresponding inspection and acceptance criteria.
• Work with Manufacturing and Quality staff (both internal to ORNL and with external suppliers) to disposition non‑conformances and respond to requests for waivers/deviations.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

• BS degree in mechanical engineering, plus 12 years relevant experience, or
• MS in mechanical engineering, plus 10 years’ relevant experience.
• Solid Works 3D CAD experience.
• Proven ability to function well in a fast‑paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines and adapt to ever‑changing needs.

• Active DOE Q Clearance.
• Relevant design experience with high‑speed rotating machinery.
• Licensed NCEES…