Materials Scientist/Engineer - Program Lead

or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or a related field, with 4 years of related post-PhD experience.

• Level 5 M.Sc. in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or a related field from a program accredited by ABET, with 8 years of related post-M.Sc.

or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or a related field, with 6 years of related post-PhD experience.

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy "Q" clearance, which requires US Citizenship.
• 4+ years' direct experience in leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Demonstrated experience within the Department of War (DOW) or the broader defense industrial base.
• Experience managing programs or projects with a total budget of $20 million or greater.
• Knowledge of AI and use of AI in interested technical areas.
• Knowledge and experience in materials qualification and certification processes (e.g., MIL-STD, AMS, ISO, ASTM frameworks) as applied to defense platforms.
• Proven track record of efficient mission execution and management of medium- to large-scale projects, delivering on time and on budget from requirements definition through qualification/certification milestones.
• Experience in technical decision-making and direction at the medium- to large-scale project level.
• Ability to understand customer needs and execute them effectively.
• Demonstrated record of effective teamwork and working across organizational boundaries.
• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to brief senior government and military service stakeholders as well as program executives, and the ability to translate technical risk into program/schedule impact for non-technical leadership.
• Experience in structure/property characterization of materials, including development of new materials and materials characterization techniques.

• PhD in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or a related field.
• Direct experience with DOW materials certification and qualification for weapons platforms/systems, (e.g., MMPDS, Qualified Products Lists, airworthiness/flightworthiness processes, nuclear certification).
• Direct experience with DoW manufacturing industrial contractors.
• Experience applying Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME), digital engineering, and/or artificial intelligence (AI) tools to accelerate qualification timelines.
• Experience with agentic AI, automated reasoning, or human-in-the-loop decision workflows applied to technical or engineering assessments.
• Experience developing or applying digital twin models to support materials or component qualification.
• Experience working across multiple military branches or similarly complex multi-stakeholder, multi-authority environments.
• Experience with materials qualification or fielding in forward-deployed, austere, or resource-constrained environments.
• Experience engaging with standards bodies (e.g., ASTM, SAE) to codify guidance or specifications.

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and laboratory environment.

The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms.

The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required.

Position requires the ability to smell.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The pay range for this position is: Level 4 ( $114,360 - $234,336 ) / Level 5 ( $137,076 - $281,196 ). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.
• TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)

• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S.

of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense.

With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS).

For more information see www.sss.gov .

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.

It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Please contact us to request accommodation.

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens.

Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.