Chemical Engineer

Leidos is seeking an exceptional and motivated post-graduate Geochemist interested in pursuing their passion and expanding their expertise by working side-by-side with world experts through a research appointment at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). In this role, you will work as part of DOE’s leading engineering R&D laboratory team supporting NETL to develop the science base, tools, and methods to accelerate the identification and characterization of feedstocks needed to build domestic supply chains for critical minerals in the United States. Specifically, you will work with NETL’s Critical Minerals geochemistry and materials team to characterize critical minerals from key feedstocks (e.g. coal ash, AMD solids, slag, shale, and other unconventional/secondary feedstocks) using geochemical analytical methods. In this role, you will engage with world-class critical minerals researchers including leading DOE scientists and external partners to develop world-changing energy solutions.

What this opportunity with Leidos supporting NETL uniquely provides you

• Working on applied, cutting-edge projects with global impact while being mentored by the nation’s leading energy scientists and engineers.
• Real-world experience supplemented with technical development and discussions that provide unique insight into the broad range of mission critical engineering and scientific disciplines NETL leverages to support national energy research and policy development.
• Unique access to world-class, customized facilities specific to high impact energy research, technology generation, and patent development.
• Participation in novel fundamental and applied energy technology development with direct economic impact on global carbon resources.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Performing hands-on geochemical characterization and analysis for critical mineral feedstocks.
• Identify and characterize critical minerals from key feedstocks (e.g. coal ash, AMD solids, slag, etc.).
• Utilize geologic domain knowledge to understand and evaluate data collection needs for ongoing projects.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary group of science researchers to accomplish project tasks.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external clients.
• Participate and present results in regular team meetings, contribute to progress reports and research proposals, and prepare scientific manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed journals.

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in relevant discipline (Material Science, Geochemistry, Mining, Minerals Engineering, or a related discipline). PhD preferred.
• Ability to meet the requirements for gaining access to work on the NETL campus.
• Experience developing methods for ion chromatography and performing IC analyses.
• Experience characterizing geologic materials using XRD, SEM, etc.
• Laboratory experience in studying mineral synthesis and characterization (e.g., iron, manganese, and/or aluminum oxides), geologic sample preparation methods, solid leaching, and extraction or digestion.
• Knowledge and experience with critical minerals and feedstocks.
• Experience with synchrotron characterization techniques specifically microprobe and bulk X-Ray fluorescence, X-Ray Adsorption Spectroscopy and Extended X-ray Adsorption Fine Structure analysis.
• Experience with flotation, leaching, and solvent extraction.
• Previous knowledge of sorbent synthesis and characterization (e.g., kinetics, sorption/desorption isotherms)
• Synchrotron experience at an on-site beamline.
• Ability to produce leachate from coal fly ash for sorbent testing.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team to solve problems of scientific and technological interest.
• Clear and effective communication, both in writing and in person.

Salary Range for this position: $90K to $95K

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

March 18, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or