High Temperature Solar Research & Development Engineer/Scientist

BGS is an engineering, technology, and security firm helping to advance missions of national importance for government programs, national laboratories, national security facilities, nuclear operations, and complex projects. We support clients at every stage, from strategic planning and program management to the execution of engineering and technical activities. We work to attract and retain the best talent because the best talent delivers the best results for our clients. Our capabilities are based on our experience in complex, secure, and highly regulated environments. We leverage our experience and capabilities to provide mission-driven solutions tuned to our client's mission needs and strategic direction.

We are passionate about our culture! At BGS, we hire people who will bring their whole self to work each day because we value operating with openness and inclusivity, welcoming and respecting all. BGS cares for each employees’ well-being by offering a comprehensive benefit package and providing a culture of exciting work, excellence, and fun.

If you align with BGS company values and culture, we would love for you to explore opportunities to join our growing team by checking out the job description below!

BGS is seeking an engineer or scientist with expertise in one or a combination of the following areas to serve as a technical advisor for the SETO Concentrating Solar-thermal Power (CSP) program. The selected candidate will interface with SETO staff and Research and Development (R&D) organizations, including government labs, industry, and academia, to identify transformation scientific concepts and unproven technologies that are high-risk, high payoff investments to radically advance the nation’s CSP capabilities. The CSP program oversees approximately $60,000,000 in annual R&D funds appropriated by congress with the overarching mission of supporting the development concentrating solar-thermal technologies which could decarbonize the US energy sector. The team develops high impact funding programs and provides active project management to selected projects ranging from early-stage R&D to first of a kind demonstration pilot plant demonstration. 

Sought Expertise:

• Advanced Manufacturing and/or Controls (including wireless).
• Commercial CSP or Solar Process Heat Development.
• Commercial Thermal Energy Storage Development.
• Non-imaging Optical Systems.
• Optimization techniques and/or Artificial Intelligence.
• High Temperature Materials Science.
• High Temperature Particle Handling.
• Thermochemistry for chemical or fuel production.
• Advanced Power Cycles (particularly supercritical CO­₂ based cycles).
• Other expertise which can impact the research, development, demonstration, or deployment of CSP.

Job Duties:

• Assess current and emerging CSP technologies, for both electricity generation and process heat applications, and identify benefits/challenges of applying them to integrated commercial energy systems.
• Serve as a technical advisor in the development of user requirements, evaluation of proposed technical designs/applications, technical progress evaluations, and risk assessments/mitigation planning.
• Provide oversight and management to a portfolio of R&D projects.
• Prepare scientific/technical material for and participate in stakeholder engagement forums such as conferences, symposiums, and technical interchange meetings that may include government representatives, academia, and industry partners.
• Assist in reviews of application materials and concept papers and complete pre-screening of related documents on behalf of the government customer to support current and future competitive solicitations.
• Assist the government team with the synthesis of information flow from Federal Contract Managers and Industry Partnerships, support decision-making, and ensure execution of directives at Federal offices, National Laboratories, and industry partnership organizations.
• Conduct research and prepare technical briefings, white papers, or related deliverables as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or physical sciences.
• 4 or more years of direct relevant research/work experience.
• Willingness to work in the Washington D.C. office at least several days per month.
• Successful drug screening.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in engineering or physical sciences strongly preferred.
• Ph.D. in engineering or physical sciences preferred.

 Location/Work Arrangement: 

• This position is located in Washington, D.C. and is a Hybrid Work Arrangement. 

Benefits:

BGS offers a competitive total compensation package to eligible employees. Benefits include Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Paid Vacation, 401K, Long and Short-Term Disability.

EEO:

BGS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Exclusive Agreement Disclaimer:

BGS has standing contracts with federal agencies throughout the United States. We require an affirmative exclusive agreement to represent all candidates to our clients. By submitting this application, you are consenting to allow BGS to represent you as a candidate for the role in which you are applying.