Physical Scientist / Laboratory Scientist

SD Solutions, LLC; Ashburn, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

SD Solutions, LLC is seeking a Physical Scientist / Laboratory Scientist I to support CBP laboratories and technology programs. The role encompasses laboratory operations, data collection, testing, and documentation in collaboration with government scientists and engineers.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in a physical science with up to 3 years of relevant experience, strong attention to detail, and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, physical science, materials science, forensic science, biology, environmental science, engineering, or a related scientific/technical discipline.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day laboratory operations, including test preparation, equipment setup, sample handling support, data collection, and maintenance of laboratory records.
• Assist Government personnel with planning, executing, observing, and documenting laboratory, pilot, and field testing activities.
• Develop and maintain test data sheets, test execution records, technical notes, and supporting documentation.
• Assist in preparing laboratory and field test plans, test reports, SOPs, CONOPS, and technical procedures.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and summarize scientific and technical data using Microsoft Excel and other approved tools.
• Identify trends, observations, anomalies, and findings in laboratory and field-test data for Government review.
• Support laboratory equipment and asset management activities, including inventories, calibration records, maintenance logs, utilization reports, and equipment lifecycle documentation.
• Assist with receipt, storage, issuance, shipment, repair, return, and retirement of Government equipment and laboratory assets.
• Maintain accurate technical, inventory, logistics, and program records.
• Support preparation of technical memoranda, briefings, fact sheets, presentations, and decision-support materials.
• Assist with requirements documentation and technical inputs supporting Government acquisition activities.

Skills

Laboratory operations

Data analysis

Test planning

Technical report writing

Equipment maintenance

Inventory management

Documentation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry/physical science

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Physical Scientist / Laboratory ScientistFull Time Washington, District of Columbia, United States - 00000Description**Position Summary**SD Solutions is seeking a Physical Scientist / Laboratory Scientist I to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Laboratories and Scientific Services (LSS), Interdiction Technology Branch (ITB). The selected candidate will provide scientific, laboratory, technical, analytical, and operational support for CBP interdiction technology programs. The position will assist Government scientists, engineers, program managers, logisticians, and operational stakeholders with laboratory operations, scientific testing, test and evaluation activities, data collection and analysis, equipment and inventory management, technical documentation, logistics coordination, and technology transition.DHS and/or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) experience is strongly preferred.**Key Responsibilities*** Support day-to-day laboratory operations, including test preparation, equipment setup, sample handling support, data collection, and maintenance of laboratory records.* Assist Government personnel with planning, executing, observing, and documenting laboratory, pilot, and field testing activities.* Develop and maintain test data sheets, test execution records, technical notes, and supporting documentation.* Assist in preparing laboratory and field test plans, test reports, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), and technical procedures.* Collect, organize, analyze, and summarize scientific and technical data using Microsoft Excel and other approved tools.* Identify trends, observations, anomalies, and findings in laboratory and field-test data for Government review.* Support laboratory equipment and asset management activities, including inventories, calibration records, maintenance logs, utilization reports, and equipment lifecycle documentation.* Assist with receipt, storage, issuance, shipment, repair, return, and retirement of Government equipment and laboratory assets.* Maintain accurate technical, inventory, logistics, and program records.* Support preparation of technical memoranda, briefings, fact sheets, presentations, and decision-support materials.* Assist with requirements documentation and technical inputs supporting Government acquisition activities.* Maintain schedules, action-item trackers, meeting notes, status information, and other program-management documentation.* Support technical reachback by researching and documenting responses to field or operational inquiries.* Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, analysts, logisticians, acquisition personnel, program managers, and operational personnel.* Participate in laboratory workflow and process-improvement initiatives and support field demonstrations, operational assessments, and technology-transition activities as assigned.**Required Qualifications*** Bachelor's degree in chemistry, physical science, materials science, forensic science, biology, environmental science, engineering, or a closely related scientific or technical discipline.* Approximately 0-3 years of relevant professional, academic, internship, laboratory, research, or technical experience.* Basic understanding of scientific methods, laboratory practices, test execution, data collection, and technical documentation.* Ability to support laboratory or field testing activities and organize, evaluate, and summarize scientific or technical data.* Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information to technical and nontechnical audiences.* Strong attention to detail, organization, and the ability to manage multiple assignments, action items, and deadlines.* Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.* Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and related productivity tools.* Ability to work primarily on-site in Ashburn, VA or Washington, DC and travel as required.**Preferred Qualifications*** Previous experience supporting DHS, CBP, CBP Laboratories and Scientific Services (LSS), or another DHS component.* Experience working in a Federal Government laboratory, research, engineering, or technical environment.* Experience supporting scientific research, applied R&D, testing, test and evaluation, or technology demonstration programs.* Familiarity with laboratory equipment, instrumentation, calibration, maintenance, and controlled-equipment procedures.* Familiarity with chain-of-custody procedures, laboratory safety documentation, or laboratory quality practices.* Experience preparing SOPs, test reports, technical reports, technical memoranda, or briefings.* Experience with Government inventory, asset, property, or equipment-management processes.* Exposure to systems engineering, requirements management, configuration management, or technology-transition processes.* Experience supporting law-enforcement, homeland-security, border-security, defense, or public-safety missions.* Active DoD Secret security clearance.**Education**Required: Bachelor's degree in chemistry, physical science, materials science, forensic science, biology, environmental science, engineering, or a related scientific/technical discipline.Preferred: Master's degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.**Key Technical Skills*** Laboratory operations* Scientific testing* Test planning and execution* Scientific data collection* Data analysis / Microsoft Excel* Technical report writing* SOP / CONOPS development* Equipment lifecycle management* Calibration / maintenance tracking* Inventory management* Logistics coordination* Technology transition* Technical reachback* Microsoft Office**Security / Access**Candidates must be able to satisfy applicable DHS and CBP background investigation, suitability, facility/system access, security briefing, CUI, privacy, training, and nondisclosure requirements. Certain positions may require a DoD Secret security clearance.**Location**22001 Loudoun County Parkway, Ashburn, VA 20147 or 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20004.Additional support may be required at CBP locations throughout the United States, with occasional international travel. The majority of contractor personnel are expected to work full-time at an ITB office based on Government requirements.**Ideal Candidate Profile**The ideal candidate is an early-career scientist or engineer who combines strong scientific fundamentals with excellent documentation, analytical, and organizational skills. The candidate is comfortable working in laboratory and field environments and can collaborate effectively with scientists, engineers, program managers, logisticians, and Government stakeholders. A candidate who has previously supported CBP, DHS, another Federal laboratory, or a homeland-security/defense test and evaluation organization would be particularly attractive.