Physical Scientist

Air Force Civilian Service; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 76,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Force Civilian Service is seeking a full-time Physical Scientist for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB, NM. The role focuses on advanced studies and analysis, including future concepts, analyses of alternatives, and technology demonstrations, with oversight of complex weapon systems.

Candidates must have a strong science background, be able to handle sensitive information, and qualify for a Top-Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.

Qualifications

• Two+ years using systems engineering and data analytics to assess survivability/effectiveness of complex systems.
• Background in professional scientific principles to apply advanced theories.
• Must handle sensitive/classified information.
• Experience in cruise missiles, radars, survivability modeling, lethality assessments, or ballistic missile design.
• Preferred: 4+ years in physics, aerospace/nuclear/mechanical/electrical/materials/computer engineering or math/statistics.
• Experience collaborating with DoD, academia and industry.

Responsibilities

• Develops future weapon concepts and conducts design trade studies; identifies maturation areas.
• Plans and executes dynamic projects from quick-turn studies to multi-year efforts.
• Leads technical work on development or sustainment of nuclear systems.
• Coordinates with multiple agencies to inform data collection, analysis and results.
• Writes reports and creates presentations for distribution; briefs to the nuclear community.
• Plans and oversees technical activities including plans and reports reviews.

Skills

Systems engineering

Data analytics

Communications

Missile/wapons design knowledge

Modeling and analysis

DoD collaboration

Education

Physical science/Engineering/Math with 24 sem hrs

Job description

Come be a part of something big! Smart Minds, Cool Jobs, and Awesome Rewards! Fueled by innovation, talent and ambition, the Air Force Civilian Service (AFCS) is seeking civilian professionals prepared to deploy war-winning capabilities on behalf of the United States Air Force. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) is currently seeking a full-time Physical Scientist to work in the Advanced Studies and Analysis Division (NTZ) at Kirtland Air Force Base near Albuquerque, NM. Value of Position (VOP): NH-1301-03 (79) which has a typical salary range of $76,463-$107,446 (basic salary without locality included). Locality for Albuquerque-Santa Fe area is 18.33% of basic salary. **If your current salary is within the band, but above the VOP range, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position. This position’s duty location is at AFNWC Kirtland AFB NM and has limited and infrequent teleworking (occasional situational/emergency only). The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a non-supervisory Physical Scientist for the Advanced Studies and Analysis Division with technical responsibilities (Primarily (1) Air-Delivered: gravity bombs & cruise missiles, and Hard and Deeply Buried Targets, secondarily (2) Ground-Based: intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs); also Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3)) This position leads activities needed in support of future concepts studies including significant involvement in highly complex advanced concept studies, Analysis of Alternatives, roadmaps, technology demonstrations, and other future analysis consistent with direction, resources, and objectives established by higher authority. Candidates should have a strong background in professional scientific principles, methods, and techniques to effectively apply advanced scientific theories and practices across multiple weapon systems and platforms. Furthermore, the candidate will assess the impact of emerging technology on current systems and processes to formulate recommendations and solutions for future systems.

DUTIES:

• Develops future weapon concepts, conducts engineering design trade studies, and analyzes the performance of those concepts. Generate potential requirements for the Warfighter. Identify areas for technical maturation.
• Apply critical thinking skills to find novel solutions to complex problems with multiple competing considerations. Plans and executes dynamic projects that vary from quick-turn 90-day studies to multi-year efforts. Provides independent, analytical assessments to address emerging military capability gaps and warfighter needs.
• Serves as a lead and expert in technical work involving the application of advanced theories, concepts, and principles related to development or sustainment of nuclear systems.
• Coordinates, communicates, and collaborates with multiple agencies and across Department of War and Department of Energy to inform all aspects of data collection, analysis and report results.
• Write reports and create presentations showing results, findings, and conclusions for distribution; give briefings throughout the nuclear community.
• Plans, organizes, and oversees technical activities including review and approval of plans and reports. Reviews engineering documents.

SKILLS:

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work with multiple teams.
• Minimum 2 years of experience using principles of systems engineering and data analytics to execute survivability and effectiveness assessments of complex systems.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• Highly qualified candidates will have experience in cruise missile design, design and theory of radars, engagement / survivability modeling, weapon lethality assessments, or ballistic missile design.
• Highly desired: At least 4 years of engineering or scientific discipline experience in the following areas: Physics, Aerospace / Nuclear / Mechanical / Electrical / Materials / Chemical / Computer - Engineering, Operational Research and/or Mathematics/Statistics.
• Highly desired: Demonstrated experience in working effectively with multiple DoD, academic and private industry organizations.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Must obtain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance with SCI eligibility; and SAP accesses as required.
• Degree: Physical science (Physics or Chemistry), engineering (see Qualification section), or mathematics to include 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; advanced degree is desired.
• Will be required to travel, could be up to 2 – 3+ trips per month, typically 0 – 2 trips.
• May be required to occasionally work overtime or on an emergency basis.
• This is a drug testing designated position and is subject to initial and random drug testing.
• Employee must meet Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements, which includes achieving Engineering and Technical Management “Practitioner” certification category within required timeframe after appointment.
• To qualify as a Physical Scientist, employee must meet the education and specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards, Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/