Test Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest U.S. Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security.

We are seeking a Dynamic Test Engineer who will support the Dynamic Testing Group in the Enrichment Science and Engineering Division (ESED), Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate (ISED) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to support dynamic testing of enrichment devices. In addition, the Senior Dynamic Test Engineer will independently lead programmatic tasks and deliver improvements and solutions to meet the desired KPIs.

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 Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to deliver groundbreaking advancements with a variety of applications, from national security to life-saving medical treatments.

ESED is the national steward for research, development, and demonstration of centrifuge technology. The successful candidate will provide support for research and development using principles of Integrated Safety Management (ISM) within a division that supports multiple projects and programs.

The Dynamic Testing Group has a successful history supporting projects in the centrifuge science and isotope enrichment areas. Opportunities in these areas are expected to grow over the next few years, requiring additional qualified staff to successfully perform these challenging and nationally important projects. The successful Dynamic Testing Engineer candidate will provide research and development (R&D) leadership to the group in the characterization of gas centrifuges, centrifuge and component test stands, and test cascades for processing uranium-bearing and stable isotope compounds.

Design, installation, testing, and performance evaluation of high‑speed rotating equipment and supporting subsystems will be this position’s main activities. These activities will include using appropriate instrumentation and software to effectively evaluate the performance of rotors, suspensions, and other related components while working closely with analysts to validate rotor and subassembly models to ensure accurate prediction of performance. Dynamic testing and analysis of structures will also be part of the position’s responsibilities.

• Establish and conduct research regarding characterization of mechanical system dynamics as it relates to gas centrifuge and enrichment technologies.
• Serve as a thought leader in the area of dynamic testing for the group, section, and directorate.
• Serve as a mentor for junior technical staff.
• Interact with sponsors to define, execute, and report on relevant project elements.
• Actively collaborate with domain experts from U.S. government laboratories and academia involved in similar efforts.
• Publish high quality research results in peer‑reviewed open or classified journals and conferences, if authorized by the sponsoring agency.
• Publish and present non‑sensitive research in journals and conferences.
• Develop proposals for cutting edge research and funding.

• PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, physics, or related field, or a MS. Degree and two plus years of post‑graduate experience.
• Applied experience in performing dynamic testing of mechanical systems, data analysis, and interpretation of test results including modal analysis.
• Experience with mechanical system measurements, including instrumentation, signal processing, and data acquisition.
• Hands on experience with design and installation of testing fixtures, application and selection of sensor suites, selection and operation of excitation methods with data acquisition systems is a plus.
• Experience in developing test plans and methodologies, instrumenting, fixturing, and executing hands on testing activities, including interpreting, documenting, and summarizing test results.
• Motivated self‑starter with the ability to work…