Nuclear Survivability Scientist

ARA Brand; Nashua, Town of Florida (NH, NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Nuclear Survivability Scientist to advance our nuclear survivability and assessments work.

You will develop physics-based models, perform MS&A of high-altitude nuclear effects, and contribute to NC3 and RF communication system analyses while mentoring junior staff. The role requires hands-on MS&A, model development, verification and validation, and collaboration with customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in a technical field relevant to nuclear survivability and modeling.
• Experience in MS&A of nuclear weapon effects or related domains is required.
• Active TS/SCI DoD security clearance is mandatory.
• Strong communication skills and ability to mentor other staff.

Responsibilities

• Perform MS&A of high-altitude nuclear effects and RF communications.
• Develop physics-based weapon effects models and support software.
• Conduct V&V of models, algorithms, and results with technical documentation.
• Present findings and recommendations to customers.
• Guide studies and trade space analyses for sensor performance.
• Mentor junior staff and track project timelines.
• Support software planning, testing, deployment, and usage.

Skills

M&S (modeling & simulation)

RF propagation

Strong communication

Mentor staff

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, CS, EE or CE

Master of Science in Mathematics or related field

PhD in Mathematics or related field

Tools

C++

Python

Fortran

C#

LWPC

LMP

HiCIRF

PHaRLAP

VOACAP

Job description

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA), Algorithms, Modeling, and Assessments (AMA) Division is seeking a Nuclear Survivability Scientist. In this role, you will support our initiatives in nuclear survivability and assessments and will be responsible for developing technology critical to the success of our projects as well as national security. You will do this by conducting hands-on M&S analyses of technical R&D problems for the nuclear weapon effects, missile defense, communications and space vehicle communities. Strong candidates will have a technical background in mathematics, computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering. They will have a passion for exploring and learning the deeply technical aspects of nuclear weapon effects, high-altitude nuclear environments, nuclear survivability, modeling and simulation (M&S), nuclear physics, electromagnetic propagation, and system design and analysis. Successful candidates will need an active TS/SCI clearance. This will be a hybrid schedule with the expectation of working 3 days in either our Nashua, NH or Niceville, FL office.

What you'll do as a Nuclear Survivability Scientist:

• Perform M&S of high-altitude nuclear effects, radiation belts, command, control, and communication (NC3), and RF communication systems.
• Use and support development of software applications and models in nuclear weapon effects, survivability, and ballistic missile defense systems.
• Develop physics-based weapon effects models.
• Conduct verification and validation (V&V) of models, algorithms, and results and prepare technical documentation.
• Present technical briefings, findings, analysis, and recommendations.
• Conduct analysis of systems, sensors, communications, and assets that must operate in nuclear environments.
• Conduct studies and trade space analysis for sensor performance.
• Mentor junior staff on technical tasks and track high level project timelines.
• Contribute to peer review of team members’ findings and reports.
• Communicate with customers to identify and suggest priorities and timelines.
• Develop requirements and standards for system and personnel survivability.
• Identify gaps in technology and nuclear weapon effects M&S and identify solutions to address those gaps.
• Support software planning, development, testing, deployment, and usage. Conduct training of M&S software.

Nuclear Survivability Scientist Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering.
• 8-10 years of relevant work experience.
• US Citizenship Required.
• Active TS/SCI DoD security clearance.
• Experience in M&S areas: RF propagation modeling and testing, NC3 platforms and systems.
• Experience in software development or maintenance with C++, C#, Fortran, Python, or similar language.
• Strong communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in nuclear weapon effects, RF communication systems, and/or relevant aspects of nuclear survivability.
• Experience in RF system operation and analysis.
• Experience with modeling software tools: LWPC, LMP, HiCIRF, PHaRLAP, and VOACAP.
• Experience in a supervisory or mentoring role.

Nuclear Survivability Scientist Preferences

• Masters of Science in Mathematics (or related field) with 6-8 years of relevant experience.
• PhD in Mathematics (or related field) with 3-5 years of relevant experience.

Company & Division Information

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2,223 professionals and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging and innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, "Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit" sums up the ARA experience.