Engineering & Systems
Laser Engineer / Technician
The Laser Technician will work hands-on in the laboratory to support the development, testing and maintenance of advanced infrared gas laser systems used in isotope enrichment.
This role emphasizes practical, in-lab work such as system assembly, alignment, calibration, troubleshooting, and safety compliance. The ideal candidate enjoys working directly with lasers and optical systems and has a strong foundation in laser technology and laboratory practices.
Full Time
Location – Southeast
Salary: $80,000+
Laser Engineer / Technician
Key Responsibilities
- Assisting in the installation, alignment, calibration, and maintenance of infrared gas laser systems.
- Conducting system performance tests, collecting data, and assisting in troubleshooting laser and sub-system issues.
- Supporting experimental setups and contributing to ongoing laser development and optimization projects.
- Performing optical metrology and diagnostics under supervision of senior staff.
- Ensuring compliance with laser safety protocols and laboratory procedures.
- Documenting laboratory activities and results clearly and accurately.
- Collaborating with engineering, R&D and operations teams to achieve technical objectives.
- Will serve as Laser Safety Officer.
Education, Qualifications & Required Skills
Required
- Hands-on experience with lasers, optics or related technical systems (academic or industrial).
- Familiarity with basic laser principles, alignment techniques, optical diagnostics and safety protocol as related to the use of lasers.
- Strong mechanical and problem-solving skills for laboratory work.
- Team-oriented with effective communication skills.
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering or related technical field (or equivalent lab experience).
- 5+ years of practical experience working in a laboratory with lasers, optics or precision equipment preferred.
Security & Work Authorization
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-clearance.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen under 10 CFR Part 810 and/or export control requirements (ITAR/EAR) as applicable.
Working Conditions
- Onsite role – Oak Ridge, TN.
- Monday – Friday, Full Time; Occasional overtime is expected for ensuring deliverables.
- Ability to perform field work (stand, walk, climb stairs/ladders, don PPE, lift~30–50 lbs. occasionally).
- Periodic off-hours support for emergencies, outages, audits or commissioning.
- Limited travel (<10–15%) to vendor, regulatory or partner sites.
Benefits
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Competitive salary (based on experience – starting range $80,000 annually), potential stock options and performance incentives.
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Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), disability and life.
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Paid time off, paid holidays and professional development support.
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Relocation assistance available.
Complete the Application Form Below:
LIST is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We also participate in E-Verify where required.
Senior Vacuum Systems Engineer
We are seeking a Senior Vacuum Systems Engineer to design and deploy advanced vacuum and gas handling systems for laser-based uranium enrichment using UF₆.
This role focuses on high-performance vacuum architectures operating with corrosive, moisture-sensitive fluorinated gases, requiring strong expertise in materials compatibility, system modeling, and regulatory compliance.
Full Time
Location – Southeast
Salary: $160,000+
Senior Vacuum Systems Engineer
Key Responsibilities
- Design and optimize vacuum systems including chambers, piping, and gas handling subsystems for UF₆ service.
- Select and specify vacuum pumps (dry pumps, Roots blowers, turbomolecular, hybrid trains) based on performance and chemical compatibility.
- Develop and maintain P&IDs and system specifications.
- Model gas flow, conductance, and pressure profiles using ChemCad, Aspen Plus, or similar tools.
- Design and integrate cold traps and cryogenic traps for UF₆ capture and recovery.
- Define materials of construction (metals, seals, coatings) to mitigate corrosion and HF formation.
- Specify and integrate instrumentation (pressure gauges, temperature sensors) for vacuum and cryogenic systems.
- Establish pump-down, purge, and passivation procedures to prevent contamination and moisture ingress.
- Partner with vendors; maintain strong knowledge of UF₆-compatible vacuum equipment suppliers. Lead vacuum component procurement, supplier qualification, and vendor management for critical systems.
- Support installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and performance validation
- Ensure compliance with nuclear and safety requirements, including coordination with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission as well as ISO vacuum standards.
Education, Qualifications & Required Skills
Required
- M.S. or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
- 7+ years of experience with vacuum pumps/systems in corrosive or high-purity environments.
- Expertise in vacuum pump technologies and system design.
- Proficiency with ChemCad, Aspen Plus, or equivalent simulation tools.
- Strong understanding of vacuum conductance, gas dynamics, and transient behavior.
- Experience with P&IDs, vacuum hardware, and trapping systems.
- Demonstrated vendor knowledge and equipment selection experience.
- Ability to translate simulation into real-world system performance.
- Strong judgment in vacuum pump selection in either corrosive or non-corrosive environments.
- Detail-oriented approach to safety-critical design.
- Effective collaboration with vendors, regulators, and cross-functional teams.
Preferred
- Experience with UF₆, fluorinated gases, or nuclear fuel cycle systems.
- Familiarity with laser isotope separation technologies.
- Knowledge of fluorine/HF materials compatibility and corrosion control.
- Experience with HAZOP, FMEA, or similar safety methodologies.
- Background in UHV or semiconductor-grade vacuum systems.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Working Conditions
- Onsite role – Oak Ridge, TN.
- Monday – Friday, Full Time; Occasional overtime is expected for ensuring deliverables.
- Ability to perform field work (stand, walk, climb stairs/ladders, don PPE, lift to ~30–50 lbs. occasionally).
- Periodic off-hours support for emergencies, outages, audits, or commissioning.
- Limited travel (<10–15%) to vendor, regulatory, or partner sites.
Benefits
- Competitive salary (based on experience – starting range $160,000 annually), potential stock options and performance incentives
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), disability and life
- Paid time off, paid holidays and professional development support
- Relocation assistance available
Complete the Application Form Below:
LIST is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We also participate in E-Verify where required.
Operations & Leadership
Director of Deconversion
The Director of Deconversion is a senior position responsible for overseeing all aspects of uranium hexafluoride (UF₆) deconversion operations at our state-of-the-art laser uranium enrichment facility.
This role requires comprehensive knowledge of nuclear fuel cycle processes, regulatory compliance, and advanced deconversion technologies.
The position involves strategic planning, operational oversight, and safety management responsibilities for the safe conversion of depleted uranium hexafluoride into stable uranium oxide forms.
Full Time
Location – Southeast
Salary: $200,000+
Director of Deconversion
Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Operations Management
- Develop and implement comprehensive deconversion strategies aligned with production goals and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee daily operations of deconversion processes, ensuring optimal efficiency and safety protocols.
- Manage multi-disciplinary teams including process engineers, safety specialists, and operations technicians.
- Coordinate with enrichment operations to ensure seamless integration of deconversion activities.
Regulatory Compliance & Safety Management
- Ensure full compliance with NRC regulations, and international IAEA standards.
- Maintain current knowledge of evolving nuclear regulatory landscape and implement necessary operational adjustments.
- Develop and oversee implementation of comprehensive safety protocols specific to UF₆ handling and deconverted products.
- Engage emergency response planning and coordinate with site emergency management teams.
Technical & Process Excellence
- Optimize deconversion process parameters to maximize uranium oxide recovery while minimizing waste generation.
- Implement advanced process monitoring and control systems for real-time optimization.
- Collaborating with R&D teams on process improvements and technology advancement initiatives
- Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposition of uranium products, including U₃O₈ and anhydrous HF.
Required Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field; Ph.D. preferred.
- Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in nuclear fuel cycle operations.
- At least 8 years of senior management experience in nuclear facilities.
- Demonstrated experience with uranium hexafluoride processing and handling.Technical Expertise
Technical Expertise
- Comprehensive understanding of uranium deconversion processes, thermodynamics, and chemical engineering principles.
- Expert knowledge of nuclear criticality safety, radiation protection, and ALARA principles.
- Proficiency in process control systems, SCADA systems, and advanced analytics platforms.
- Prefer familiarity with laser isotope separation technology and its integration with deconversion operations.
Regulatory & Security Requirements
- Active DOE Q-level security clearance or ability to obtain within 12 months.
- Demonstrated history of successful regulatory inspections and license renewals.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in Nuclear or Chemical Engineering.
- Previous experience with advanced uranium enrichment technologies.
- Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent process improvement certification.
- Experience with international nuclear safeguards and IAEA protocols.
- Published research in nuclear fuel cycle or uranium processing technologies.
Working Conditions
- Onsite role – Oak Ridge, TN.
- Monday – Friday, Full Time; Occasional overtime is expected for ensuring deliverables.
- Ability to perform field work (stand, walk, climb stairs/ladders, don PPE, lift to ~30–50 lbs. occasionally).
- Periodic off-hours support for emergencies, outages, audits, or commissioning.
- Limited travel (<10–15%) to vendor, regulatory, or partner sites.
Benefits
- Competitive salary (based on experience – starting range $200,000 annually), potential stock options and performance incentives
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), disability and life
- Paid time off, paid holidays and professional development support
- Relocation assistance available
Complete the Application Form Below:
LIST is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We also participate in E-Verify where required.