Machine Design Engineer

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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 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.

As part of our team, you will provide technical leadership and creative design solutions that strategically advance centrifuge machine design and support enrichment system development. The Machine Design Engineer reports to and works closely with the Machine Design Engineering Group Leader to deliver task assignments and design outputs while following established design processes. This position works closely with other ESED subject matter experts, project managers, and WBS managers to execute discrete project scope according to approved schedules, budgets, and technical milestones.

Additional interfaces will be with principal investigators, engineers, technicians, and other individual stakeholder personnel.

• Support activities that advance the state-of-the-art in gas centrifuge isotope separation (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: motors, bearings, suspensions, composites, vibrations, and containment safety design.
• Progress new designs through various stages of testing toward eventual 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.
• Deliver high-quality drawings and bills of materials utilizing robust configuration management practices.
• 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.
• Support design reviews, by preparing review documents, engaging stakeholders, 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.
• Work with Manufacturing and…