Scientist I

The Nevada National Security Site is seeking a full-time Scientist I to join a multidisciplinary team in Albuquerque, NM. Responsibilities include providing diagnostic support, defining specifications for procurements, compiling scientific data, and preparing reports. Candidates should possess a STEM bachelor's degree, experience with R&D instrumentation, and strong technical writing skills. The role involves collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories and may require some travel.
Overview

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, as well as acting as environmental stewards to the site's Cold War legacy.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a full-time Scientist I to work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide diagnostic fielding and development support in a national laboratory environment.

Key Responsibilities:
• Contribute to solutions of problems and issues with limited scope and basic complexity, using a well-defined set of technologies; generally in support of more senior scientists.
• Focusing on applying academic knowledge to the work environment and developing good work/team habits.
• Define specifications for procurements and initiates purchase requests.
• Follow established technical procedures and instructions.
• Assist in compiling and summarizing scientific data. Utilizes technology solutions for both experimental and operational needs.
• Prepare reports. Contributes to proposals.
• Work closely with scientists, engineers, and technical staff at the Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, to field a variety of x-ray imaging and spectroscopic diagnostics.
• Contribute to developing a rigorous characterization and calibration program for these diagnostics, utilizing various pulsed and continuous wave X-ray sources.
• The working environment will include high voltage systems, visible and UV lasers, large scale pulsed power machines, and radiation generating devices.
• Must possess strong technical writing skills to prepare and keep timely records to document activities associated with the development and fielding of diagnostic systems.
• Perform other duties assigned by Management.

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in a calculus-based (STEM) field. Skill building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross-disciplinary knowledge. Graduate research experience may be recognized.
• Ability to interpret codes and standards within the discipline in which they were hired.
• Experience with setting up and operating Research & Development (R&D) instrumentation in a laboratory setting.
• Hands-on knowledge of electronic instrumentation including high-speed digitizers, digital oscilloscopes, digital delay/pulse generators, high voltage instrumentation, and other R&D laboratory instrumentation is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with vacuum technology is a plus.
• Other required skills include exposure to National Instruments (NI) LabVIEW and other programming platforms, good technical writing and communication skills, and familiarity with PCs and PC application software such as MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Desire to learn and innovate.
• Must be a team player.
• Some travel will be required.
• A desire and ability to develop solutions to moderately complex science and engineering problems independently after minimal guidance.
• Fielding of diagnostics may be occasionally physically demanding: must be able to lift and carry equipment weighing approximately 30 lbs. for short distances.
• The primary work location will be at the Sandia Operations (SO) located in Albuquerque, NM.
• Work schedule for this position will be 4/10's, Monday – Thursday (subject to change).
• Must be willing and able to perform occasional work during non-standard hours, take on-call duty, and some travel.
• 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.