Measurements Specialist/Statistician (MC&A Technical Specialist 3/4)

About the Role

The Security Programs - Nuclear Material Control and Accountability group (SP-NMCA) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is responsible for implementing and executing the Nuclear Material Control and Accountability (NMCA) Program. SP-NMCA provides assurances to external stakeholders and federal regulators that no nuclear material has been lost, stolen, or diverted from its legitimate programmatic use. Group members serve as the interface between LANL programmatic groups utilizing and/or processing nuclear material and the regulator, helping to navigate the legal framework through practically implementable, technically defensible, and legally compliant means.

This position will focus on implementing the measurement control program within the LANL Plutonium Facility. It offers an opportunity for high-performing and motivated technical professionals to shape the future of nuclear material process operations by improving accountability while maintaining critical legal and technical requirements. The role may include duties in nuclear facilities where special nuclear material (SNM) is present.

This position will be filled at either the MC&A Technical Specialist 3 or 4 level, depending on the candidate's skills. Additional responsibilities will apply if hired at the higher level.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational and programmatic support related to the measurement of special nuclear materials.
• Perform independent verification and validation of non-destructive assay (NDA) measurements used to demonstrate nuclear material control and accountability.
• Support the qualification of measurement systems used for accountable nuclear materials.
• Support response to facility operational events involving accountable nuclear material.
• Collaborate with specialized professional, research, or operations organizations to address NMCA challenges.

At the MC&A Technical Specialist 4 level, additional responsibilities include:

• Independently evaluate current inventory difference evaluation methods.
• Develop, propose, and technically justify measurement uncertainties in response to inventory differences.
• Report progress and recommend solutions to the NMCA Technical Support Program Manager.
• Provide guidance to junior team members on statistical analysis methods and interpretation of results.
• Lead engagement with cross-organizational teams to solve complex NMCA challenges.
• Mentor less experienced staff to support technical skill development.
• Provide technically defensible and legally compliant solutions to complex NMCA issues.

Requirements

Minimum Job Requirements (MC&A Technical Specialist 3):

• Demonstrated experience solving problems using technically defensible methods to analyze data.
• Knowledge and understanding of NDA measurement methods, such as gamma-ray spectroscopy, passive/active neutron counting, calorimetric assay, and other non-destructive and destructive assay techniques for quantifying special nuclear materials.
• Willingness and ability to support and participate in engagement with specialized professional, research, or operations organizations.
• Knowledge and understanding of statistical methods for data analysis.
• Advanced ability to communicate technical information to technical and non-technical audiences.

Additional Job Requirements for MC&A Technical Specialist 4:

• Expert-level experience gathering data and performing exploratory analysis for developing measurement uncertainties, evaluating inventory difference models, and propagating variance.
• Willingness and ability to lead engagement with specialized professional, research, or operations organizations.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring less experienced staff.
• Experience providing technically defensible and legally compliant solutions to complex NMCA issues.

Qualifications

Education/Experience at the MC&A Technical Specialist 3 level:

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and 6 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Education/Experience at the MC&A Technical Specialist 4 level:

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and 8 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A Master's degree is preferred.
• Additional consideration may be given for professionally recognized training and certifications in related fields.

Desired Skills

• Background in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, statistics, or computer programming.
• Experience performing non-destructive assay (NDA) measurements in laboratory and in-situ settings.
• Experience implementing measurement control programs for destructive and non-destructive assay methods used in nuclear material quantification.
• Working knowledge of nuclear material accountability and control policies, practices, and procedures.
• Experience in nuclear facility operations, nuclear material control and accountability, or chemical/physical processes associated with nuclear material processing.
• Experience generating concise reports, writing technical procedures, analyzing technical data, and communicating technical information through presentations.
• Working knowledge of Python, SQL, C++, or other programming languages.

Pay

• MC&A Technical Specialist 3: $114,700 - $191,200
• MC&A Technical Specialist 4: $125,200 - $211,300

Benefits

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

Work Location

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

Additional Information

Due to federal restrictions, citizens of the People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, including Los Alamos National Laboratory.

This position requires a Q clearance, which necessitates U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Selected applicants will undergo a background investigation, and eligibility requirements for access to classified matter must be met. This position is also subject to the DOE Human Reliability Program, which includes ongoing drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

The Laboratory maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if use was pre-offer.