Tritium Analytical Scientist (Scientist 3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM seeks a scientist/engineer to advance gas transfer system technology within the Q-7 group. The role emphasizes safety, compliance, and reliable hardware performance in a nuclear package program.

You will develop experimental capabilities, supervise technical projects, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex problems in a classified environment, with opportunities for professional growth and DOE-related responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a STEM field with 6 years of relevant experience or equivalent.
• Experience with gas transfer system technology, tritium science, and related research.
• Strong data acquisition, spectroscopy, and measurement techniques.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical expertise in gas transfer system technology and tritium science.
• Develop and implement project plans; lead or contribute to multidisciplinary projects.
• Ensure safety, security, and compliance in radiological environments; write and review procedures.

Skills

Experimental research

Pressure systems

Data acquisition

Thermodynamics

Mass spectroscopy/FTIR/Raman

Communication skills

Project management

Safety compliance

Education

Master’s degree in STEM field

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/related science

Tools

LabVIEW

Pressure measurement tools

Job description

What You Will Do

The Gas Transfer Systems Group (Q-7) is responsible for design, development, production liaison, surveillance, and stewardship of all gas transfer systems (GTS) for LANL nuclear packages in the US nuclear weapon stockpile. While supporting the enduring stockpile, the group also supports the research and development of next generation GTS technology in support of future weapon systems. Emphasis is on the delivery of programmatic objectives via excellence in personnel safety, security, compliance, and programmatic hardware reliability and availability. The group is the programmatic tenant in two R&D facilities at LANL: The Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF), and a high-pressure gas transfer system radiological laboratory. At WETF, the group has a diverse array of responsibilities including tritium storage and recycling technologies, legacy item recycling and disposal, high pressure tritium operations, and GTS function testing. The team maintains calorimetry and gas mass spectrometric capabilities that support tritium accountability and the GTS development program as well as other programs across LANL. At the high pressure radiological laboratory, the team supports design agency (DA) and production agency (PA) missions for all LANL weapon systems, including valve and actuator surveillance for both LANL and SNL systems. The lab is a highly active hands-on lab, specializing in gas pressure systems and related diagnostics. Supporting equipment includes gloveboxes, fume hoods, high pressure compressors, lathes, mills, wire EDMs, thermal chambers, etc. The accepted candidate will provide scientific expertise within the group and for general LANL customers, and will work with the team to assist in fulfillment of gas transfer mission objectives as listed above and as deemed necessary.

The successful candidate will be required to:

• Develop technical expertise and knowledge of gas transfer system technology, tritium science, and technologies related to these research and development efforts.
• Develop new methods, techniques, capabilities, or approaches to address critical technical problems.
• Solve a diverse range of complex problems that require the frequent use of creativity.
• Coordinate with personnel to solve instrument maintenance and pressure safety issues.
• Provide oversight of one or more technical projects within a team environment.
• Collaborate with members of the team to solve multidisciplinary problems.
• Develop, review, and execute technical procedures.
• Adhere to scientific policies, programs, procedures, and practices.
• Adhere to the requirements for working in facilities with radioactive hazards, including a Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility.
• Represent the Laboratory to external agencies in defined capacities as necessary.

This posting is under the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Engineering (ALDW).

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

Experimental Research Experience

Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and familiarity with instrumentation and experimentation techniques. Familiarity with pressure and vacuum systems and associated measurement techniques. Demonstrated abilities in data acquisition and analysis. Solid knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics concepts. Experience in mass spectroscopy, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, or related technologies.

Communication and Teamwork

Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to interact with all levels of internal personnel and customers. Demonstrated ability to network effectively with other scientists, engineers, and key contacts outside own area of expertise. Ability to express ideas clearly in ways that build understanding, respect, and trust, as demonstrated through presentations, reports, and publications. Ability to mentor junior staff members and students.

Project Management

Ability to develop and implement project management plans, including scope, schedule, and budget, for small to moderate projects and/or major project tasks. Ability to define deliverables at project or major task level. Ability to both work unsupervised on individual projects and to contribute to larger team efforts. Experience in solving complex problems with multiple variables. Proven ability to work independently and in a team environment on multidisciplinary research problems.

Safety/ Security

Demonstrated commitment to safety, security and compliance. The successful candidate will work daily in a classified setting and facilities with hazards including radiological, thermal, high pressure, etc. Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance.

Education/Experience:

Position requires a Master’s degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 6 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

DOE Order 426.2A

Requires a Bachelor's of Science degree in engineering or a related science or technology, 2 years of job related experience, and 1 year of nuclear experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Ph.D. in experimental physics, chemistry, or a related science.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Research experience in experimental physics or chemistry, materials science, and/or vacuum science.
• Experience with mass spectrometry is strongly recommended.
• Experience with high pressure systems, ultra high vacuum systems, and the handling of precious or hazardous gases.
• Experience with LabVIEW or other data acquisition programming.
• Experience with low-voltage signal electronics at the discrete component level.
• Prior post-doctoral or job experience in the topics described.
• DOE Q clearance or other US security clearance.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation)

• Ability to speak
• Ability to discriminate speech
• Sitting
• Standing
• Walking

Work Environment

• In a cold environment
• In widely ranging ambient temperatures
• Work in a noisy environment
• Work near electrical power supplies
• Work near sources of ionizing radiation
• Work with weapons or explosives
• Work near machinery with moving parts
• Irritant chemicals
• Dusts or powders
• Safety glasses or eye protection
• Face shield or facial protection
• Hearing protection
• Gloves or hand protection
• Safety shoes or protective footgear

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 2 year.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance

Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

Eligibility requirements

To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

426.2:

This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

New-Employment Drug Test:

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position:

Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants:

Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity:

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.