Principal Scientist

Job Description

Mission Support and Test Services LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Sites (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

Environmental Management is seeking an individual to support the radioactive waste disposal mission for the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). The primary duties will be maintaining Disposal Authorization Statements (DASs) required to operate the Area 3 and Area 5 low-level radioactive waste disposal sites. Each DAS requires preparation and maintenance of a Radioactive Waste Management Basis (RWMB) which includes a Performance Assessment, a Composite Analysis, a Closure Plan, a Monitoring Plan, a Change Control Process, and a Maintenance Plan. The Annual Summary Report evaluates disposal operations, environmental monitoring results, research and development results, and UDQEs results to determine if the Performance Assessment and Composite Analysis remain valid and if the disposal site is in compliance with the DOE Order 435.1 performance objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a control process which identifies and evaluates the consequences of significant changes to the RWMB.
• Assess potential changes that require preparation of Unresolved Disposal Questions Evaluations (UDQEs) which are technical engineering analyses and calculations.
• Maintenance of the DASs requires preparation of an ASR submitted to EM Headquarters and signed by the Nevada Field Office that is peer reviewed by the Low-Level Waste Disposal Facilities Federal Review Group (LFRG).
• A working knowledge of the DOE requirements related to radioactive waste disposal at the NNSS is desirable.
• Devises solutions that may require resolving conflicting customer expectations and design requirements, utilizing unconventional technology and materials.
• Provides technical direction for assigned projects. Coordinates complex projects including team members external to MSTS.
• Defines customer needs and develops technical proposals.
• Interprets and adapts guidelines for specific cases.
• Evaluates processes, procedures, and work instructions to improve performance.
• Prepares work statements for complex subcontracts and procurements, evaluates bids and makes recommendation for awards.
• Provides expertise on operational goals.
• Serves as consultant to less experienced scientists, providing practical advice on implementation of solutions for organizational goals.
• Ensures team’s processes and deliverables comply with laws, codes, orders, and MSTS policies and procedures.
• Conducts or leads research, presents papers, and keeps abreast of new technological developments, methods or materials, keeping management informed of important new advances.
• Devises new concept designs and analytical methods.
• Selects and brings new scientific methods to bear.
• Develops field programs and designs.
• Develops and presents education or training in applicable discipline.
• Selects and implements software and instrumentation systems.
• In addition to fulfilling basic ESH&Q obligations:
• Must address all aspects of safety in design and execution of work
• Work may affect public health and safety.
• Likely to act as a safety team lead.
• May help formulate ESH&Q protocols.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in calculus-based (STEM) field, plus at least 9 years' relevant experience. Skill building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross-disciplinary knowledge. Graduate research experience may be recognized.
• Must possess skills to promote an open and informal communications environment, develop mutual trust, and teamwork.
• Must possess good technical writing skills.
• Knowledge of probabilistic models and analysis of complex systems is required.
• Knowledge of the visual dynamic simulation software package GoldSim is desirable.
• Membership in professional organizations may be required, depending on position requirements.
• Position is located in North Las Vegas, NV.
• Work schedule will be 4/10s Monday through Thursday (subject to change).
• 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: $121,867.20 - $185,848.00.

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