Job Title: Explosives Research Scientist (NWS 00664)

THIS POSITION SHORT TERM, MAX 1000 HOURS IN A CALENDAR YEAR

North Wind Services is actively seeking individuals who can contribute to national security within the science, technology, and engineering fields as part of our supplemental labor team at vital federal research and development installations supporting the Department of Energy. NWS has an established history of contributing to the success of their customer’s mission. Available employment opportunities may range from administrative and logistical support to advanced technical positions.

Qualified applicants must be a US citizen, at least 18 years of age, and able to meet pre-employment requirements including any required physicals, drug screen, and/or background investigation to satisfy clearance requirements from the Department of Energy.

The selected candidate will be an employee of NWS, a premier government contractor charged with employing highly motivated and well-qualified personnel who can advance the mission of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA. Though employed by NWS, the employee will take day-to-day direction from technical personnel employed directly by the research laboratory. Pay, benefits, Human Resource, and Employment Management functions are provided by NWS.

The Physical and Life Sciences Directorate has an opening in the Explosives Performance Research and Technologies Group for an Explosives Research Experimental Lead. Under minimal supervision, the selected candidate will safely execute experiments. The successful candidate must understand complex technical details involving explosive reactions. The successful candidate will build small-scale high explosive shots, and lead firing operations, as well as perform experimental setup, takedown, and troubleshooting as needed. The selected candidate will train/mentor new staff in performing the experiments at HEAF. The experiments support several different projects and programs.

This position may require the employee to have the flexibility to work overtime, shift, and/or weekends to accomplish goals. The selected candidate will be required to pass various on-site training modules to pursue work assignments.

Essential Duties

- Successfully lead experiments and train new employees in how to successfully lead experiments.

- Coordinate and help perform small-scale detonation experiments.

- Coordinate shipping and receiving of explosives between Site 200 and Site 300.

- Build small-scale high explosive shots.

- Perform experimental setup, takedown, and troubleshooting as needed and arm and fire experiments using explosive materials.

- Oversee the authoring of safety review and pre-shot paperwork for each shot campaign executed.

- Analyze and interpret experimental data, to document and report results, identify problems, plan projects to solve problems, and communicate lessons learned.

- Contribute original scientific/engineering solutions to the design of explosively driven experiments, applying knowledge and skills.

- Collaborate with engineers and physicists to develop and integrate new capabilities.

- Perform all assignments in accordance with ES&H, security, and business practice requirements and policies.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

- BS in chemistry, materials science, engineering, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.

- Extensive experience as an Explosives Handler with a background in physics, detonation science, engineering, mechanical, aerospace, or nuclear engineering or a related field.

- Capable of providing guidance and technical direction to multidisciplinary project teams in a dynamic environment.

- Knowledge of safety protocols for handling explosives, detonation tank mitigation practices, high-speed diagnostics acquisition, and experimental assembly techniques.

- Technical knowledge regarding high-speed data acquisition of explosive events.

- Experience in mentoring new and mid-career employees.

- Demonstrated ability to acquire data needed to write technical reports and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.

- Experience performing hands-on experimental science, working around explosives and/or other energetic materials and using computer-aided design tools and standard office computer tools.

- Knowledge of the LLNL weapons program, explosive experimentation, and the optics, electro-optics, and radiographic technologies.

- Experience working on a research team with individuals from diverse technical backgrounds, as well as functioning as an independent researcher, working under limited direction, with a high-level of attention to detail.

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

- Experience mentoring early to mid-career employees.

- Knowledge of the LLNL weapons program and explosive supply change limitations.

- Experience mentoring and working in a multidisciplinary team and with a wide range of materials.

Special Requirements

Pre-Placement Medical Exam: A job-related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

Pre-employment drug test:External applicant(s) selected for this position will be required to pass a post offer, pre-employment drug test.

Anticipated Clearance Level: Q (position will be cleared to this level). Applicants selected will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. In addition, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold multiple citizenships (U.S. and another country), you may be required to renounce your non-U.S. citizenship before a DOE L or Q clearance will be processed/granted.

North Wind offers a competitive pay and benefits package to include health, life, and disability insurance benefits, 401(k) with company match, generous paid leave, and tuition reimbursement for eligible employees. As a company, we are committed to employee wellness, professional development, and work-life balance. We value safety, reliability, and commitment to our people! For more information about our benefits or hiring philosophy, visit the North Wind Career Opportunities Page.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The nature of those accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Helpline 1-208-528-8714 for assistance.

North Wind is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, or other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.