Associate Process Engineer Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

Requisition ID19007-Posted07/14/2026-Engineering- Level of Experience (4) -Travel - 30% or less- Job Location Options (1)

Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Job Title: Chemical Process Design Engineer
Career Level From: Associate
Career Level To: Senior Specialist
Organization: Chemical Process (51366089)
Job Specialty: Core Engineering

All Design Engineers will be responsible for developing high quality detailed design packages, providing engineering procurement and field technical support to implement those designs, and providing expertise for troubleshooting and technical assessments of plant systems. Design involves the preparation of conceptual engineering deliverables such as cost-estimating bills of material and

man-hour estimates, statements of work, design criteria, and title II engineering deliverables including preparation of calculations and analyses, construction specifications & drawings, and equipment specifications. Candidate must effectively and cooperatively work as a team member of an integrated project team, or as a technical lead for a multi-discipline task and will routinely provide input to System Engineers and other plant customers. Design Engineer will routinely perform walk-downs in the existing plant facilities in order to generate design documents and provide field support to craft personnel.

Chemical design engineering support includes participation in designs ranging from scope definition, feasibility and conceptual studies, and preliminary/detailed designs. Tasks include flowsheet development (block diagrams, process flow diagrams, and P&IDs), analyses and calculations, reports/studies, SSC grading, SDD preparation, safety basis documentation support and

evaluation, equipment sizing and arrangements, cost estimates, procurement document preparation and support, and testing support.

• Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
• Top-notch, dedicated colleagues
• Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
• Career advancement and professional development programs
• Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Physical Science [Chemistry, Physics, or related] from an Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program in the United States or designated equivalents from Canada or Mexico, the Washington Accord, or the list of substantially equivalent as documented by ABET. OR MS in Engineering /Physical science. OR PhD in Engineering /Physical science.
• There is a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement up to 4 years post-graduation at time of offer and confirmed by transcript. Beyond four years from graduation, engineering experience will supersede GPA as a requirement for hire.
  • 3.0/4.0 minimum cumulative GPA for Bachelor degree
  • 3.3 minimum cumulative GPA for Master degree
  • 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA for PhD
• In addition, the applicant must meet the requirements of DOE O 426.2A (i.e., Baccalaureate in engineering or related scientific major 2 years job-related, and 1-year nuclear experience; or a DOE O 426.2A alternative). DOE 426.2A experience requirements can be satisfied following employment. In the interim, newly hired personnel will not be assigned duties that could impact the safety basis of nuclear facilities. (Ref. DOE O 426.2A)

• 3 years relevant experience
• A Professional Engineering License (PE)
• Knowledgeable in respective technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques
• Demonstrated technical capabilities, leadership, and work ethic
• Ability to work in a project team environment and communicate well with other disciplines, customers, and stakeholders
• Ability to follow procedures and work within a rigorous work process
• Ability to estimate, plan, and track progress for preparation of discipline deliverables
• Good written and oral communications skills

You get #morethanajob. We encourage employees to achieve a healthy personal balance among home, work and the community. One of the ways we embrace work-life balance is by offering flexible work arrangements that provide alternatives to the traditional workweek, while still meeting business needs. Top talent and personal commitment mean more to our success than any other factors, so we reward our people with the kinds of benefits that make a positive difference in the quality of their lives. Benefits such as: medical plan, prescription drug plan, vision plan, dental plan, employer matched 401(k) savings plan, disability coverage, education reimbursement and many more. Want to stay healthy and fit but hate the cost of a gym membership? Take advantage of one of our onsite workout facilities and eat healthy in our onsite cafeterias. Much more than a workplace, at Y-12, you can build a career that lasts a lifetime.

The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.

If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.

Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.

This position may require entry into the Material Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (10 C.F.R. Part 712), which requires successful competition of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation and may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.

This position may be categorized as a “designated position” identified by 10 C.F.R. Part 709, requiring successful completion of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation that may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.

CNS is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to being randomly selected for drug testing without advance notification.

CNS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.