Physical Scientist / Laboratory Scientist

SD Solutions, LLC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; 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 ITB. You will assist Government scientists with laboratory operations, testing, data collection, and documentation, while managing equipment inventories and logistics.

The role emphasizes data analysis, technical reporting, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across lab and field environments. On-site work is required in Ashburn, VA or Washington, DC with occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related science.
• 0–3 years of relevant experience.
• Understanding of scientific methods and lab practices.
• Ability to summarize scientific data clearly.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Detail-oriented with ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• On-site work in Ashburn, VA or Washington, DC; travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day laboratory operations and data collection.
• Assist in planning, executing, observing, and documenting tests.
• Develop and maintain test data sheets and technical notes.
• Prepare lab and field test plans, SOPs, and reports.
• Collect, organize, and analyze data using Excel and other tools.
• Identify trends and anomalies in test data for review.
• Manage inventory, calibration records, and equipment lifecycle.

Skills

Laboratory operations

Data analysis

Test planning

Data collection

Technical writing

Inventory management

Logistics coordination

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related science

Master's degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Laboratory equipment handling

Calibration procedures

Job description

Physical Scientist / Laboratory Scientist

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
• 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 or1331 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.

About SD Solutions

SD Solutions, LLC is a federal contractor supporting civilian and national security customers with mission, digital, data, and cybersecurity services. We value technical excellence, accountability, collaboration, and mission-focused delivery.

SD Solutions, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.