What You Will Do

The International Threat Reduction Group (NEN-3) is seeking a Radiation Detection Scientist/Engineer to join our mission-focused team. Our diverse workforce enjoys a shared work environment focused on creative problem solving, where everyone’s opinions and ideas are considered. NEN-3 applies expertise in nuclear and radiological materials and commodities detection, packaging, international training and consultation, modeling, and simulation to reduce nuclear proliferation and enhance global security in a changing threat environment.

The successful candidate will support the Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD) Implementation and Sustainability programs and the NSDD Science and Engineering Team. A key component of this job will be supporting the Science and Engineering Team which provides technical evaluation to NSDD through testing and analysis of radiation detection equipment and systems. Travel is required both domestically and internationally and is often to less than desirable locations where conditions may be considerably less comfortable than those typically found in fully developed nations.

In addition, there will be opportunities to learn and develop skills that support other areas within NEN‐3. The group has ongoing work in nuclear materials management, strategic trade controls, and software development addressing global security problems.  Duties will include all or a combination of, but are not limited to the following:

• Development and evaluation of radiation detection systems as well as detection and identification algorithms.
• Development of other technical solutions to counter nuclear smuggling challenges, including development of software tools, concept of operations, technical procedures or integrating other types of detectors and sensors with radiation or other detection systems.  
• Implementation of radiation detection systems and deployment of radiation detection technology, nuclear security detection architecture design, equipment acceptance testing, performing maintenance on radiation detection equipment, and developing technical solutions for maintenance challenges.
• Collaboration with technical colleagues from other national laboratories, foreign governments, or international institutions such as the IAEA as part of the programmatic efforts to strengthen capabilities to detect, disrupt, and investigate the smuggling of nuclear and radiological materials.  
• Tasks associated with sustainability of deployed radiation detection systems, including training operators and maintenance personnel, developing training plans, facilitating workshops and exercises, working with foreign government personnel to integrate systems into their agencies, and managing maintenance contracts.
• Development of NSDD Science and Engineering Team proposals and task agreements for NNSA funding for the evaluation and testing of radiation detection technology/equipment.
• Leading NSDD Science and Engineering Team technical projects while managing scope, schedule, and budget.
• Interfacing with NNSA sponsors to report on project status and negotiate work scope and deliverables.
• Development of new and innovative concepts and approaches to address specific problems in NSDD.
• Mentoring of junior staff and students.

• Broad understanding of radiation detection equipment and/or active and passive detection systems or other security/detection equipment.
• Demonstrated experience working with, implementing, and/or sustaining radiation detection equipment or other similar security/detection equipment.
• Experience working within established safety and quality controls for moderate to high hazard activities.

• Ability to collaborate and interact effectively with a wide range of personnel.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and follow through to completion on multiple tasks.
• An ability to work independently to identify, analyze, develop, and implement creative and innovative solutions in planning and completing projects with conflicting and often changing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to contribute to the development of radiation detection systems deployed internationally and respond to incidents involving material outside of regulatory control.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and follow through to completion on multiple tasks. Demonstrated experience working with all levels of internal and external personnel, including networking with key contacts from other national laboratories, NNSA sponsors, foreign government and private sector personnel, and local and foreign subcontractors.

• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills
• Ability to train domestic or foreign personnel in the operation or maintenance of a radiation detection system through a combination of classroom learning, hands-on exercises, and table-top exercises.

• Demonstrated experience developing innovative advanced concepts, theories, methods, techniques and approaches to address specialized problems.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical decision‐making at task level within a project; making decisions and/or recommendations that influence the achievement of key programmatic objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior staff and students as they develop as researchers.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Q clearance.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience designing and developing new radiation detection systems, detection and identification algorithms, and/or modeling and simulation tools related to the detection and identification of special nuclear material.
• Demonstrated understanding of IAEA nuclear security systems and measures concepts and recommendations.
• Experience in project leadership and the ability to develop project plans, negotiate milestones and deliverables, as well as manage cost and budget.
• Experience developing training materials for the operation and/or maintenance of equipment.
• Experience working with law enforcement agencies or other security services.
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Systems engineering concepts and applications.
• Sensors and their application such as unattended ground sensors.
• Imaging analysis and probability modeling.
• Experience working with foreign government civilian and/or military agencies to facilitate joint operations and/or tasking with respect to matters of national security.
• Demonstrated ability to work well across organizations within the USG (civilian or military).
• Familiarity with Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high yield Explosives (CBRNE) operations.
• Experience conducting border security operations with civilian and/or military organizations.
• Experience with anti-smuggling and/or nonproliferation operations.
• Active Q Clearance

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:  Located 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 1 year. 

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents (“green card” holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

• 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)

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 applicable 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 a disability accommodation, email applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505) 664-6947, opt. 3.