Characterization Scientist

What You Will Do

Join the best and brightest minds in the world at one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. The work we do at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) matters to our country and the world.

Within the Plutonium Supply and Disposition (PSD) Division, you will be working in support of the Advanced Recovery and Integrated Extraction System (ARIES) line. PSD-3, ARIES, dispositions weapon grade nuclear material through a variety of processes covering pit disassembly, metal conversion, oxide stabilization, oxide processing, analytical oxide characterization, and 3013 packaging. You will work as a scientist in a production-oriented environment within our Pu-Conversion or Characterization team, devising and implementing process improvements, qualifying as a Process Engineer (PrE), and working to solve process-related scientific challenges.

This position will be filled at either the Scientist 1 or Scientist 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Scientist 1 ($87,200 - $142,500)

Successful Level 1 candidates will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Serve as a contributing member of an ARIES process to address both scientific and engineering challenges.
• Qualify as a process engineer (PrE) to the assigned system.
• Contribute at a fully functioning level to the design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of technological solutions in support of operations initiatives.
• Develop and implement process improvements with the goal of increasing safety, reliability, and throughput capability.
• Assist the team to meet programmatic objectives and milestones, presenting obstacles and progress on process specific tasks to team members and management
• Adapt to evolving quality and operational requirements while meeting safety, security, compliance, and schedule imperatives.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary groups throughout the Laboratory.
• Participate in professional development and mentorship opportunities to enhance your engineering career.
• Review technical procedures to ensure work is executed in a safe and compliant manner while meeting product requirements.

Scientist 2 ($96,100 - $159,000)

Successful Level 2 candidates will perform the following duties and responsibilities in addition to what was outlined at the lower level:

• Lead the design and testing of scientific, technological, and engineering solutions in support of R&D initiatives.
• Apply scientific approaches and engineering principles to implement sound practices and pursue innovative solutions to achieve organizational objectives.
• Write, revise or produce technical procedures to ensure work is executed safely and securely while meeting product requirements.
• Mentor junior process engineers.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Basic knowledge of scientific concepts, principles, practices, and procedures; demonstrated independent research and/or scientific industry experience.
• Basic analytical thinking skills, as demonstrated by experience designing and executing experiments, including analyzing and interpreting data. This includes a commitment to high quality and timeliness of deliverables.
• Experience performing a broad range of complex experimental work, including experience designing a complete research project through courses or experience.
• The ability to work independently and with a team in high-intensity environments with coworkers representing a variety of technical backgrounds and
• The ability to express ideas clearly, and in ways that build understanding, respect, and trust, as demonstrated through presentations and publications.

Additional Job Requirements for Scientist 2:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• Thorough knowledge of and experience in one or more of the following disciplines: solid-state chemistry, condensed matter physics, materials science; chemical thermodynamics; analytical chemistry techniques (e.g. thermogravimetric analysis, gamma spectroscopy, calorimetry, neutron physics), metallurgy or other R&D engineering fields.
• Experience with PLC programming and process automation or prompt gamma or nuclear material non-destructive analysis.
• Experience working with furnaces and/or high-temperature chemistry or handheld analytical instruments (e.g. X-ray fluorescence).
• Thorough knowledge of and experience in designing; planning; and executing research and development projects.
• Excellent written communication skills are required.
• The ability to recognize technical problems, analysis, and testing to generate suitable solutions and effectively document and communicate results.
• Knowledge of LANL's Conduct of Operations (ConOps) and Conduct of Engineering (CoE).
• Will be asked to take on leadership roles and mentor other process engineers.

Education/Experience at lower level: The position requires a bachelor's degree in the physical sciences (physics, chemistry, materials science, or related field); up to 2 years of related experience may be desired. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply and utilize applicable collegiate experience for consideration.

Education/Experience at higher level: The position requires a bachelor's degree in the physical sciences (physics, chemistry, materials science, or related field) and 4 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with the operation and maintenance of furnaces or analytical instrumentation.
• Knowledge of basic chemical principles, particularly oxidation of metal and nondestructive analysis of nuclear material.
• Hands on experience in PLC programming and automation or nuclear nondestructive analysis.
• Knowledge of process piping and pressure systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge or experience working in a manufacturing or production organization requiring implementation of defined manufacturing, testing, and quality requirements.
• Knowledge and experience with system and subsystem qualification testing and/or analysis.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Conduct of Operations.
• Willingness to take initiative on new tasks or projects
• Design to manufacturing experience
• Technical writing consisting of project proposals, technical research, and summary presentations.
• Active HRP certification.
• Active DOE Q clearance.

Location: This position will be in Los Alamos, NM.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 2 years.

Note to Applicants:

• For full consideration, submit a comprehensive resume reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above.
• Evaluation of applications will commence immediately.
• While the posted salary range for this position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for the selected candidates to grown into the full salary band over time.
• Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network

§ Dental and vision insurance

§ Free basic life and disability insurance

§ Paid childbirth and parental leave

§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)

§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs

§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

• Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

HRP: This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.