Health Physicist / Radiation Protection Specialist

Health Physicist / Radiation Protection Specialist

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | Greenbelt, Maryland
Full-Time | Monday–Friday

Help protect the people and facilities advancing NASA’s science and exploration missions.

Mainthia Technologies, Inc. (MTI) is seeking an experienced Health Physicist / Radiation Protection Specialist to support the Radiation Safety Officer and Radiation Protection Program at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). This is a hands-on, high-visibility role supporting the safe use of radioactive materials, radiation-producing equipment, lasers, and other ionizing and non-ionizing radiation sources across one of NASA’s premier research and spaceflight centers.

The person in this role will help ensure that radiation exposures remain As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA), safeguard researchers and technical teams, and keep a complex radiation safety program compliant with NRC licenses, NASA requirements, DOT regulations, and applicable federal and state standards.

If you are a practical, capable radiation safety professional who enjoys working alongside scientists, engineers, technicians, and mission teams in a dynamic research environment, this is a meaningful opportunity to support work that reaches far beyond the Center’s gates.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with the NASA Radiation Safety Officer to manage and continually improve the GSFC Radiation Protection Program.
• Review proposed uses of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation sources and devices; coordinate use authorizations, permits, and user approval documentation.
• Conduct initial, annual, scheduled, and unannounced audits of radiation-source and device-use activities, including X-ray and gamma radiography operations.
• Maintain complete and accurate records for radiation sources, devices, authorizations, audits, surveys, calibration, radioactive waste, and other program activities.
• Administer personnel and area dosimetry programs; review exposure records and support required notifications.
• Perform sealed-source leak tests; support thermal-vacuum test certifications, radon monitoring, and related reporting.
• Conduct quarterly physical inventories of radioactive sources and maintain source accountability and tracking systems.
• Perform radiation and contamination surveys of source-use and storage areas; prepare timely survey reports and support contamination-control and decontamination activities.
• Support the safe receipt, transfer, packaging, shipment, and disposal of radioactive materials in accordance with NRC, DOT, NASA, and Center requirements.
• Maintain inventories and inspection records for X-ray devices, accelerators, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation sources, and radiation detection instruments.
• Coordinate required instrument calibration, routine maintenance, and off-site servicing.
• Participate in radiation emergency planning, drills, exercises, and response activities.
• Coordinate with outside agencies, including the FAA, when Center-sponsored radiation activities extend beyond NASA property.
• Support quarterly Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety Committee meetings.

Required Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Bachelor’s degree in health physics, radiological science, nuclear engineering, physics, environmental health, industrial hygiene, safety, science, engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Approximately 3–5 years of relevant radiation protection, health physics, radiological safety, or closely related experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of radiation protection principles, ALARA practices, NRC radioactive-material license requirements, radiation survey methods, and radiation safety recordkeeping.
• Experience with radioactive-source inventory and accountability, personnel dosimetry, contamination control, leak testing, radiological surveys, or radioactive-material shipping and handling.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear technical reports, audit documentation, and regulatory records.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, adapt to changing workloads, and work effectively with minimal oversight in a technical, customer-focused environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting an NRC Broad Scope licensee, federal facility, university, research laboratory, aerospace organization, or similar radiation safety program.
• Experience with X-ray devices, accelerators, gamma radiography, lasers, ultraviolet sources, RF/microwave sources, or other non-ionizing radiation hazards.
• DOT radioactive-material shipping training or experience.
• Experience supporting radiation emergency response, decommissioning, or instrument calibration.

Legal & Employment Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent residency is required to meet NASA facility access requirements.
• Candidates must be able to successfully pass a background investigation and drug screen.
• Employment is contingent upon the ability to obtain and maintain required NASA and contractor site access credentials.
• MTI, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
• Must be able to walk, climb stairs/ladders, remain standing for extended periods and lift instruments weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Position is in-person, onsite at NASA Goddard 40 hours per week with flexible hours. Minimal travel required.

MTI Benefits

As a full-time MTI team member, you will be eligible for our current comprehensive program of benefits which includes major medical and dental insurance; life insurance; short term disability; long term disability, 401(k) plan with matching, paid vacation, 11 government holidays, and paid sick leave.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Are you a US Citizen?

Ability to Relocate:

• Greenbelt, MD 20771: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person