NDSE Diagnostics Scientist (Senior Scientist)

Job Description

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy. Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750 professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.
  
  

Responsibilities

The Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) is seeking outstanding candidates for a Senior Scientist position supporting the Neutron Diagnosed Subcritical Experiment (NDSE) project to design, develop, operate, and maintain dense plasma focus (DPF) neutron generating pulsed power machines in North Las Vegas, Area 11, and primarily the PULSE facility to interrogate and diagnose explosively driven physics packages as part of a series of subcritical experiments (SCEs) in the interest of ensuring the safety, security, and reliability of our nation’s nuclear weapon stockpile.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as a member of a small team supporting engineers, scientists, and technicians in operating, maintaining, and testing, complex pulse power systems including discrete diagnostic systems.
• Support DPF operations in North Las Vegas and Area 11.
• Field pulsed power diagnostics and analyze data to inform DPF performance models.
• Maintain pulsed power diagnostics systems and timing and firing systems.
• Develop and maintain technical drawings and procedures associated with the DPF machine and associated diagnostics and controls systems.
• Measure neutron yield associated with DPF execution.
• Analyze neutron yield data associated with DPF execution.
• May support tritium delivery and recovery systems associated with the ZEUS DPF machines.
• May support tritium operations associated with ZEUS DPF experiments.
• Support radiation detection aspects for NDSE mission.
• Identify opportunities to increase efficiency of DPF Operations
• Support contracts for DPF activities (private sector, DOD, etc)
• Engage with the plasma physics and pulsed power R&D communities at NNSS, partner labs, and other outside organizations.
• Conducts research, data compilation, and data analysis associated with DPF experiments.
• Serves as a tritium-specific SME to the DPF team and management.
• Coaches and mentors new and less experienced scientists, engineers, and technicians.
• Develops and maintains DPF machine and operations documentation such as procedures and system drawings.
• Review project design and technical documents.
• Prepare technical and non-technical reports, procedures, and plans associated with DPF experiment operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in calculus-based technical (STEM) field plus at least 5 years relevant experience. Skill building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross-disciplinary knowledge. Graduate research experience may be recognized.
• Experience with radiological and/or chemical environments preferred.
• Experience working in fume hood and/or glove box environments preferred.
• Experience working with unsealed radiological materials preferred.
• Experience working with radiation detection system and equipment preferred.
• Fundamental understanding of metal hydrides preferred.
• Fundamental understanding of modeling capabilities to be used for DPF applications.
• Experience with one or more computing programming languages or mathematical computing software packages.
• Strong written and oral communications skills and ability to work on complex applied projects in a group atmosphere.
• Ability to interface effectively with technical personnel and management from other NNSS organizations, outside organizations, and government agencies.
• Must possess planning and organizing skills and initiative.
• Must be able to employ independent judgment and apply professional knowledge to ensure that assignments are completed efficiently, accurately, and on time.
• The primary work location will be at the Nevada National Security Site (located 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada), with occasional work taking place at the North Las Vegas facility.
• Work schedule for this position will be 4/10’s, Monday – Thursday (subject to change). Travel, as needed, to support experiments, workshops and other collaborative activities.
• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
  
  

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2 , “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4 , “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted. Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709 , “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

Annual salary range for this position is: $99,340.80 - $149,011.20.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.