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Nuclear Fusion Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

Type One Energy Group

Materials Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Join us in our mission to commercialize fusion energy About Type One Energy Type One Energy Group ... Senior Director of Nuclear and Fuel Cycle Your role in the mission Type One Energy is seeking a ...

Type One Energy

Materials Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

Join us in our mission to commercialize fusion energy About Type One Energy Type One Energy Group ... Senior Director of Nuclear and Fuel Cycle Your role in the mission: Type One Energy is seeking a ...

SPECTRA TECH INC

Design Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN

... for fusion-relevant environments, including vacuum-compatible hardware and actively cooled ... Minimum Requirements (Education & Experience) BS in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or ...

SPECTRA TECH, Inc.

Design Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

... for fusion-relevant environments, including vacuum-compatible hardware and actively cooled ... Minimum Requirements (Education & Experience) • BS in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering ...

Spectra Tech, Inc.

Design Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

Execute mechanical design and detailing of components and assemblies for fusion-relevant ... Minimum Requirements (Education & Experience) * BS in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering ...

ORAU

Senior Reliability Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

Its FusionDirect development program pursues the lowest-risk, shortest-schedule path to a fusion ... Experience working with complex, high-reliability systems in industries such as energy, nuclear ...

ORAU

Senior Reliability Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

Its FusionDirect development program pursues the lowest-risk, shortest-schedule path to a fusion ... Experience working with complex, high-reliability systems in industries such as energy, nuclear ...

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How much do nuclear fusion jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for nuclear fusion in Oak Ridge, TN is $49.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37.45 and $59.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a nuclear fusion?

A Nuclear Fusion job involves researching, developing, and implementing technologies to harness energy from nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun. Professionals in this field work in areas such as plasma physics, reactor design, and materials science to create sustainable fusion energy. These roles exist in academic research, government labs, and private sector companies focused on clean energy solutions.

What does a nuclear fusion professional do?

As part of a Nuclear Fusion research team, you may work on designing and operating plasma containment systems, developing new reactor materials, or running experimental diagnostics to study and optimize fusion reactions. Daily tasks can include simulations, data analysis, collaborating on scientific publications, and contributing to troubleshooting complex technical issues. Projects often require working closely with physicists, engineers, and computer scientists in a highly collaborative, lab-based environment. This diverse and challenging work is at the forefront of clean energy innovation, offering opportunities for professional growth as the field advances.

What skills and qualifications are needed for nuclear fusion?

To thrive in a Nuclear Fusion career, you need a strong background in physics, engineering, and advanced mathematics, typically supported by a relevant degree such as nuclear engineering or plasma physics. Familiarity with specialized simulation software, diagnostic equipment, and safety certification in radiation or hazardous materials handling is often required. Excellent problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help professionals collaborate effectively on multidisciplinary fusion projects. These competencies ensure safe, innovative, and efficient progress towards achieving practical fusion energy solutions.

What jobs work with nuclear fusion?

Jobs related to nuclear fusion include nuclear engineers, plasma physicists, research scientists, and technicians who work on designing, developing, and operating fusion reactors. These roles often require knowledge of physics, engineering, and specialized tools such as simulation software and diagnostic equipment, and may involve working in research laboratories or energy facilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Nuclear Fusion jobs in Oak Ridge, TN?

The most popular types of Nuclear Fusion jobs in Oak Ridge, TN are:

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For Nuclear Fusion jobs in Oak Ridge, TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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What cities near Oak Ridge, TN are hiring for Nuclear Fusion jobs?

Cities near Oak Ridge, TN with the most Nuclear Fusion job openings:

Nuclear Fusion jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nuclear Fusion job openings in Oak Ridge, TN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,218 per year, or $49.6 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate - AI and CFD

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Oak Ridge National Laboratory rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 121 rated laboratories

Job description

Requisition Id 17011
Overview:
The Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division (NEFCD) of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to assist in the development, qualification, and deployment of AI agents and models, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation codes, and Finite Element Method (FEM) based tools for nuclear energy (fission and fusion) applications.
The position is part of the Multiphysics CFD Applications group, focusing on the development and application of models and simulations for energy production and nuclear systems.
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
  • Conduct research and develop next-generation CFD methods (with finite volume and finite element techniques) and models for a variety of nuclear energy systems, using world-leading high-performance computing platforms.
  • Perform large-scale simulations of fission and fusion systems employing models for turbulence, heat transfer, magnetohydrodynamics, etc.
  • Employ finite element tools for tritium transport simulations in fusion devices.
  • Support coordinated multi-physics simulations of fission reactor core, fusion device blankets, and other system components.
  • Develop reduced-order calibration approaches and apply machine learning and Bayesian calibration methods to enable multi-scale, multi-physics model development.
  • Complete simulation verification, model validation, uncertainty quantification, and documentation.
  • Optimize system and component designs for performance and safety.
  • Develop agentic workflows for scientific computing.
  • Author peer-reviewed papers, technical reports for internal and external release and represent the organization by giving technical presentations to DOE program managers and in large public forums.

Basic Qualifications:
  • A PhD or equivalent experience in nuclear, mechanical, or chemical engineering, engineering physics, or related field completed within the last 5 years.
  • Experience with Python, C, and/or C++ applied programming.
  • Demonstrated experience in applying and extending CFD codes for application to nuclear, or similarly complex, thermal energy systems.
  • Experience with open-source CFD codes such as OpenFOAM or Nek5000, and/or commercial CFD codes such as STAR-CCM+, ANSYS or COMSOL.
  • Knowledge of finite element simulations methods.
  • Experience using parallel Linux computing platforms, parallel job submission scripts, common software repository tools (e.g., GitHub), and parallel visualization software (e.g., Paraview).

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Exposure to developing agentic workflows.
  • Code development using Git repositories, GPU computing.
  • Development of agentic workflows for scientific applications.
  • AI methods for CFD and FEM; multiphysics code integration.
  • Experience with open-source fusion engineering codes (FESTIM, VertexCFD, OpenMC, etc).
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
  • Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Special Requirements:
Applicants with a Ph.D. or equivalent experience obtained no more than five years prior to the date of application, and who have fulfilled all degree requirements before starting the appointment, are eligible. The appointment will initially be for up to 24 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability
Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent to recruiting@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.
Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:
  • Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
  • View Profile
  • Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:
  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
  • For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.
  • Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
  • To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
  • If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

Benefits at ORNL:
We offer competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain hardworking people! The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.
Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, and Employee Discounts. Relocation Assistance is available for certain positions.
This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.
If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

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