Scientist II

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

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated AI/ML Data Analyst to contribute to the analysis of legacy diagnostic data from nuclear testing. This position offers a unique opportunity to apply fundamental data science and machine learning principles to complex historical datasets that predate modern digital methods. The successful candidate will focus on extracting meaningful insights and developing AI/ML models to enhance our understanding and utilization of this critical information within a high-consequence Department of Energy (DOE) environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with team to define AI/ML problem statements, validate model outputs, and integrate findings into analysis workflows.
• Apply and develop AI/ML models and algorithms to extract and interpret information from complex data.
• Design and implement robust data preprocessing and feature engineering pipelines for raw and historical data, preparing it for AI/ML analysis.
• Develop connections between existing software and new databases.
• Collaborate with ongoing image and signal analysts to improve diagnostic studies with AI/ML techniques.
• Identify and propose opportunities for AI/ML-driven analysis improvements to existing processes, working under guidance from senior team members.
• Participate in code reviews to ensure code quality and share knowledge.
• Implement and maintain software development best practices (e.g., version control, testing).
• Create and maintain technical documentation for software functionality and architecture.
• Develop and implement robust data management practices to ensure data integrity, security, and accessibility for analysis.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a calculus-based (STEM) field, plus at least 2 years’ relevant experience. Skill building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross-disciplinary knowledge. Graduate research experience may be recognized.
• Preferred Education: Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related STEM field.
• Experience (if Bachelor's): If Bachelor's degree, then 2 years of relevant experience in AI/ML model development, data analysis, or software engineering.
• Experience in data management and database integration.
• Familiarity with physics-based modeling and simulation.
• Proficiency in computer programming, especially Python.
• Experience with machine learning and artificial intelligence, including language models.
• Must have the ability to obtain a security clearance and eventually hold a computer account on a classified (closed) network.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn new technologies.
• Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks.
• Proactive and self-motivated work ethic.
• Able to obtain a Q clearance
• Work Location is in Los Alamos, NM.
• 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: $83,075.20 - $124,612.80.

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