Principal Scientist

Nevada National Security Sites; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 121,867 - 185,848; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Tuition assistance

Medical insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) seeks a highly motivated scientist/engineer to join the Radiography and Imaging Systems Team within the Dynamic Instruments Section at NNSS. The primary work location will be Los Alamos Operations, located in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

You will operate optical imaging equipment, develop beamline diagnostics, analyze data, and contribute to R&D of new diagnostics. Travel and DOE security clearance are required; MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a calculus-based STEM field preferred with 9 years of relevant experience.
• Experience developing and fielding plasma diagnostics and dynamic experiments.
• Executes work in a disciplined manner to comply with laws, codes, and MSTS policies.
• Willing and able to travel as required by the job.
• Primary work location: Los Alamos Operations, Los Alamos, NM.
• Work schedule: 4/10s, Monday–Thursday (subject to change).
• Pre-placement drug test and background review required; DOE security clearance eligibility required.

Responsibilities

• Operate diagnostic equipment such as optical imaging devices, cameras, lens systems, oscilloscopes, lasers, function generators, delay generators, fiber-optic inspection tools.
• Develop solutions for beamline diagnostic development and related challenges.
• Oversee data compilation, analysis, and reporting for experiments.
• Contribute to R&D of new beamline diagnostics or upgrades to current systems.
• Serve as SME to NNSS scientists, engineers, and management, and coordinate with collaborators.
• Develop technical proposals and represent NNSS at conferences and meetings.

Skills

Beamline diagnostics

Optical imaging systems

Data analysis

Research coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Job description

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Our mission is to ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high‑hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services while acting as environmental stewards to the site’s Cold War legacy. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.)

• MSTS offers full‑time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; a pension and a 401(k); paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.

Responsibilities

The Stockpile Experimentation and Operations, Technology and Operations (SEO T&O) Directorate is seeking a highly motivated individual with a strong work ethic and willingness to learn to join the Radiography and Imaging Systems Team within the Dynamic Instruments Section of SEO T&O. Dynamic Instruments is comprised of approximately 35 scientists, engineers, and technicians, and is the core for innovative diagnostic design, simulation, fabrication, characterization, and fielding in support of the NNSS’ stockpile stewardship mission.

• Responsible for operating diagnostic equipment such as optical imaging equipment, cameras, lens systems, oscilloscopes, lasers, function generators, delay generators, fiber‑optic inspection and cleaning equipment, etc.
• Develop solutions for a range of complex problems and issues related to beamline diagnostic development.
• Oversee and conduct research, data compilation, and data analysis.
• Oversee and contribute to the research and development of new beam‑line diagnostics or upgrades to current diagnostics.
• Serve as a discipline‑specific subject matter expert to other scientists, engineers, and management, both internal to the NNSS and with external collaborators.
• Coordinate work efforts through interaction with peers, project leaders, supervisors/managers, both internal to the NNSS and external collaborators.
• Define and develop technical proposals.
• Participate in fielding optical and electrical diagnostics at large facilities.
• Foster a work environment that supports open communication and trust.
• Represent the NNSS at conferences, workshops, and meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a calculus‑based (STEM) field, plus 9 years of relevant experience.
  • Skill‑building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross‑disciplinary knowledge. Graduate research experience may be recognized.
• Experience developing and fielding plasma diagnostics and dynamic experiments.
• Executes work in a disciplined manner to demonstrate compliance with laws, codes, orders, and MSTS policies and procedures.
• Must be willing and able to travel as required by the job.
• The primary work location will be at Los Alamos Operations, located in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
• Work schedule will be 4/10s Monday through Thursday (subject to change).
• Pre‑placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance‑abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre‑employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or material if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship and at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted. The applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified material. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence‑scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709, “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background‑screening, drug‑free workplace.

Annual salary range for this position is: $121,867.20 - $185,848.00.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate’s education and experience, and internal equity.