Molten Salt Engineer

Join the power movement as a Molten Salt Engineer

Salt chemistry is a critical driver of corrosion, hydrogen speciation, and material behavior under irradiation. As the Blanket System team scales up to larger systems, maintaining precise control over salt chemistry is vital. We are seeking an entry-level Molten Salt Engineer to support our experimental testing operations. Initially, you will focus on executing standard operating procedures (SOPs), conducting routine materials testing, and maintaining rigorous quality controls. As you build familiarity with our systems, your role will expand to include experimental design, test cell design and construction, and leading projects in materials corrosion and blanket health monitoring. Ideal candidates will have a background in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related discipline.

The Blanket System team has a strong culture of teamwork, supportive safety culture, and pragmatic risk management. We are looking for an engineer who will fit and actively contribute to this culture.

What you'll do:

• Assist in the creation of new in-house experimental setups, including determination of requirements, fabrication, testing, and operation
• Perform salt characterization testing and work to improve the repeatability and robustness of these processes
• Perform calibration exercises for various tests, including electrochemical ones
• Analyze and synthesize heterogeneous sets of data to thoroughly characterize salt quality
• Contribute to creation of chemical system requirements and material requirements
• Support experiments and in-loop testing for salt-compatible components (e.g. pumps, valves, heat exchangers)
• Work with external vendors to procure new equipment and materials
• Work closely with other CFS teams including:
• safety team to manage chemical hazards (including beryllium) in existing and new experimental test articles
• ARC Design Team

What we're looking for:

• BS in Chemistry, Chemical, Materials or Nuclear Engineering or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in an R&D environment (PhD program counts)
• Experience with R&D work in a chemical laboratory
• Experience in experimental design and analysis with the explicit goal of driving to higher component and system TRLs
• Experience working with safety systems for hazardous chemicals
• Experience with modeling tools, such as Calphad, FactSage, Comsol, or similar (preferred, not required)
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, technical staff and others
• Ability to clearly express and critique ideas
• Great communication and organizational skills
• Strong problem solving skills, ability to approach new problems with creativity

Bonus points for:

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related field
• Experience with electrochemistry or electrochemical engineering
• Experience with radiochemistry
• Experience with molten salt systems, particularly fluoride salt systems
• Experience with high temperature and/or corrosive systems
• Experience with gas handling systems and gas analysis
• Experience modeling chemical systems (e.g. reaction, transport, thermodynamic, radiochemical)
• Experience in setting up new laboratory facilities or new analysis equipment (e.g. GCs)

Must-have requirements:

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as sitting, typing, standing, stooping, or climbing for extended periods of time
• Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally