Nuclear Survivability Scientist

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA), Algorithms, Modeling, and Assessments (AMA) Division is seeking a Nuclear Survivability Scientist. In this role, you will support our initiatives in nuclear survivability and assessments and will be responsible for developing technology critical to the success of our projects as well as national security. You will do this by conducting hands-on M&S analyses of technical R&D problems for the nuclear weapon effects, missile defense, communications and space vehicle communities. Strong candidates will have a technical background in physics, electrical engineering, nuclear engineering, theoretical chemistry, mathematics, or another relevant discipline. They will have a passion for exploring and learning the deeply technical aspects of nuclear weapon effects, high-altitude nuclear environments, nuclear survivability, modeling and simulation (M&S), nuclear physics, electromagnetic propagation, and system design and analysis. You will need the ability to obtain a Secret or Top-Secret DoD Security Clearance.

What you’ll do as a Nuclear Survivability Scientist

• Perform M&S of high-altitude nuclear effects, radiation belts, command, control, and communication (NC3), and RF systems.
• Use and support development of software applications and models in nuclear weapon effects, survivability, and ballistic missile defense systems.
• Develop physics-based weapon effects models.
• Conduct verification and validation (V&V) of models, algorithms, and results.
• Present technical briefings, findings, analysis, and recommendations.
• Conduct analysis of systems, sensors, communications, and assets that must operate in nuclear environments.
• Conduct studies and trade space analysis for sensor performance.
• Mentor junior staff on technical tasks and track higher level project arcs.
• Contribute to peer review of team members’ findings and reports.
• Communicate with customers to identify and suggest priorities and timelines.
• Develop requirements and standards for system and personnel survivability.
• Identify gaps in technology and nuclear weapon effects M&S and identify solutions to address those gaps.
• Support software planning, development, testing, deployment, and usage.
• Prepare and review technical documentation.
• Conduct training of M&S software.

Nuclear Survivability Scientist Requirements 

• Degree in Physics, Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics or similar field.
• Bachelors with 8-10 years experience.
• US citizen with the ability to obtain a secret or top-secret DoD security clearance.
• Experience conducting and documenting V&V of engineering models, algorithms, and applications and/or experience in software development with C , C#, Fortran, Python, or similar language.
• Experience in M&S areas: computational fluid dynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, shock physics, EM propagation, ionosphere dynamics, plasmasphere dynamics, particle-in-cell (PIC), or hybrid PIC.
• Strong communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in nuclear weapon effects, RF communication systems, and/or nuclear survivability.
• Experience in system analysis and/or RF system operation and analysis and/or physics of radiation and its impacts on systems, sensors, and military assets.
• Experience with nuclear weapons software.
• Experience in a supervisory or mentoring role.

Nuclear Survivability Scientist Preferences

• Masters with 6-8 years of experience or a PhD with 3-5 years of experience.

Who is ARA?

Do you want to work for a purpose? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 2,292 employee owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

ARA also prides itself on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. We believe in the importance of open and honest communication as well as work/life balance. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice with what happens in the company. 

To find out more about what the Integrated Mission Systems Sector has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/

                                     ARA is an EOE M/F/Disability/Veteran employer