Nuclear Material Process Control Analyst (MC&A Technical Specialist 1/2)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or high-deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Paid parental leave

401(k) matching

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is looking for an MC&A Technical Specialist to ensure the integrity of nuclear material control. You will monitor processes at the LANL Plutonium Facility, analyze data for potential discrepancies, and communicate findings. Your role involves technical report writing and collaboration with various stakeholders.

A Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field is required along with relevant experience. Successful applicants must obtain Q-clearance. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance and a 401(k) plan with matching.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and relevant experience.
• Experience in nuclear material control and accountability preferred.
• Willingness to engage with cross-organizational teams.

Responsibilities

• Monitor nuclear material processes at the LANL Plutonium Facility.
• Support data gathering and process improvement initiatives.
• Communicate findings to stakeholders and write technical reports.

Skills

Production-related nuclear material processes

Process data analysis

Technical communication

Technical report writing

Q-clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field

Tools

Python

SQL

C++

Job description

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

What You Will Do

Security Programs – Nuclear Material Control and Accountability group (SP‑NMCA) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is responsible for the implementation and execution of the Nuclear Material Control and Accountability (NMCA) Program to provide assurances that no nuclear material has been lost, stolen or diverted. The group serves as the interface between LANL programmatic groups utilizing or processing nuclear material and the regulator. In this role you will perform process monitoring within the LANL Plutonium Facility for the newly restarted Process Monitoring program. The primary objective is to improve timeliness of detection of any potential loss of nuclear material by monitoring process execution and the movement of individual nuclear material items. This position will be filled at the MC&A Technical Specialist 1 or 2 level, depending on your skills, and additional responsibilities may be assigned if hired at the higher level.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Ability to understand production‑related nuclear material processes and regulatory requirements and incorporate them into procedures and plans.
• Ability to reliably and accurately gather raw process data and perform analysis to identify gross process deviations and/or for process improvement.
• Willingness and ability to support and participate in engagement with specialized professional, research or operations organizations to mobilize cross‑organizational resources to solve outstanding NMCA challenges.
• Ability to communicate technical information to technical and non‑technical stakeholders to gain consensus for testing and implementing recommended improvements.
• Contribute to writing technical reports for internal and external stakeholders such as senior management and federal oversight.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Q‑clearance and HRP.

Additional Job Requirements for MC&A Technical Specialist 2

• Gathering data for the purpose of process improvement, then testing and implementing improvements.
• Willingness and ability to independently engage with specialized professional, research or operations organizations to mobilize cross‑organizational resources to solve outstanding NMCA challenges.
• Participate in the development of technically defensible and legally compliant solutions to complex process monitoring issues.
• Contribute to making technically defensible arguments to motivate stakeholders to make strategic changes and improvements to the process or its monitoring to be more effective and efficient.

Education and Experience – Lower Level

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education and Experience – Higher Level

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 4 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Background in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, statistics, or computer programming.
• Experience auditing/assessing technical processes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of nuclear material control and accountability program.
• Experience working in a regulated environment such as a nuclear facility or knowledge of nuclear materials packaging, storage, treatment, disposal, chemical processing, measurement systems, and data modeling.
• Knowledge of NMCA systems such as measurement systems, materials management, or nuclear chemical processes, statistical concepts and development of technologies.
• Working knowledge of Python, SQL, C++ or other programming language.

Work Environment

This position may require 24/7 coverage and could involve working a shift or weekend schedule. Employees may be eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift and weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager.

Work Location

Onsite in Los Alamos, NM.

Position Commitment

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. The position commitment for this position is one year.

Note to Applicants

• Please include a comprehensive cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum requirements and desired qualifications.
• This position may require 24/7 coverage and could involve working a shift or weekend schedule, and may be eligible for shift differential pay.
• Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of specific countries who are not lawful permanent residents are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work and Benefits

• PPO or high‑deductible medical insurance with a large nationwide network.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Free basic life and disability insurance.
• Paid childbirth and parental leave.
• Award‑winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually).
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance.
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays).
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs.
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50‑mile radius).

Clearance Requirements

This position will be cleared to Q clearance. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. US citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances.

Directive 206.2

Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating the employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. This requirement applies only to U.S. citizens.

HRP

• Requirements include ongoing drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

New‑Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new‑employment drug test. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal‑opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making the workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request.