Senior Scientist

Nevada National Security Sites; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 101,525 - 152,298; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

Pension & 401(k)

Paid time off

Relocation assistance

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages the Nevada National Security Site for NNSA and staffs a national radiological emergency response program at the Remote Sensing Laboratory, Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV.

The role requires on-call duties, worldwide deployment readiness, and collaboration with engineers, scientists, and technicians.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in a calculus-based technical (STEM) field; at least 5 years relevant experience.
• Experience with gamma-ray spectroscopy, operational health physics, customer service, and/or training development/delivery.
• Strong written and oral communication; ability to work on complex applied projects in teams.
• Willingness to deploy worldwide on short notice and work non-standard hours.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze radiological data; advise public safety officials on radiological incident consequences.
• Operate radiation detection equipment in field operations and develop software-related tools for response activities.
• Develop training materials and deliver trainings to emergency responders across the DOE community.
• Present analysis results to technical or non-technical audiences; coordinate work with team and partners.

Skills

Communication skills

Gamma-ray spectroscopy

Radiation detection

Training development

Programming

Education

Bachelor’s in STEM field

5+ years relevant experience

Job description

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 help 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 and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy. Our vision is to be the user site of choice for large‑scale, high‑hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.

• 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 Remote Sensing Laboratory – located on Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada – is searching for an enthusiastic and energetic individual to join our dynamic emergency response organization that is responsible for supporting several national‑level radiological and nuclear emergency response assets. The Nuclear Search Program (NSP) is composed of scientists, engineers, and technical support personnel equipped with specialized training and advanced instrumentation. NSP personnel stand ready to search for nuclear threat devices based on a variety of signatures and intelligence in concert with federal mission partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze radiological data from a variety of platforms, and advise public safety officials on the consequences of a radiological incident.
• Utilize specialized tools and applications to calculate potential impact to the public, workers, and the environment to support radiological emergencies.
• Attain and maintain qualification as an emergency responder.
• Serve rotating, on‑call duty for approximately a third of the year, typically in one‑week increments.
• Deploy worldwide for exercises and responses, with as little as two‑hour notice when on‑call.
• Maintain training and ensure job‑specific qualifications remain current; attend onsite and off‑site training as necessary to maintain competency.
• Develop training materials and deliver trainings to emergency responders across the DOE community.
• Present analysis results to a technical or non‑technical audience.
• Contribute to the development and testing of software applications specific to radiological emergency response activities.
• Provide scientific guidance on projects involving an interdisciplinary team of engineers, software developers, scientists, and technicians.
• Operate radiation detection equipment in field operations.
• Maintain subject‑matter expertise and proficiency on detection equipment to instruct during courses, or offer troubleshooting during operations or events.
• Develop and design scientific and technical content for training exercises.
• Coordinate assigned work with other personnel as directed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in a calculus‑based technical (STEM) field plus at least 5 years relevant experience; skill‑building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross‑disciplinary knowledge. Graduate research experience may be recognized.
• Experience with one or more of the following is highly desired: gamma‑ray spectroscopy, operational health physics, customer service, and/or training development and delivery.
• Additional enhancing experience includes radiation detection, algorithm development, transport codes, programming, prototype design and testing, and training design or delivery.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; demonstrated ability to work on complex applied projects in a group atmosphere.
• Effective interface with technical personnel from other MSTS organizations, outside organizations, and government agencies.
• Willingness and ability to perform work during non‑standard hours, take on‑call duty, and deploy worldwide on short notice.
• Ability to perform critical job functions while under high‑stress environments such as those presented in real‑world deployments.
• Meet company requirements for worldwide travel including medical physical and immunizations.
• Work independently or in a team environment on a wide variety of tasks.
• Working knowledge of Office 365, Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and Outlook is required.
• Fit for and qualify for use with various respiratory protection and personal protective equipment.
• Be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Obtain and maintain SCI access.
• Participate in National Response Asset Deployment activities, including flight onboard government aircraft for missions and deployments.
• Submit to immunizations for worldwide travel.
• Primary work location will be at the Remote Sensing Laboratory at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, NV (RSLN).
• Work schedule: 4/10s, Monday – Thursday (subject to change).
• A pre‑placement physical examination, including a drug screen, is required; MSTS maintains a substance‑abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.

Department of Energy Q Clearance

The position will be cleared to DOE Q 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 selected applicant will be subject to a federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence‑scope polygraph examination, may also be required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Salary

Annual salary range for this position is: $101,524.80 – $152,297.60. Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate’s education and experience, and internal equity.