Radioisotope Power Systems Sciences (Scientist 3)

About the Role

Join the Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) Design Engineering team, a hub for expertise in radioisotope power system design. You will contribute to advancing the nation's capabilities in actinide chemistry, materials science of ceramics, high-temperature metallurgy, composite engineering, thermal and structural analysis, re-entry and impact modeling, systems engineering, and safety analysis. The RPS Design Engineering Team is part of the Product Realization and Reliability Office (PRRO) in Nuclear Production Operations, supporting plutonium programs (e.g., pit production, surveillance, research & development, and subcritical experiments) across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of heat source fuel pellets of various form factors.
• Lead improvements and optimization of heat source production processes.
• Work with radioactive or hazardous materials.
• Apply scientific or engineering principles, practices, and tools to continuously improve manufacturing processes.
• Contribute to technical projects by assisting in the analysis, validation, implementation, and verification of practical solutions, and apply novel problem-solving methods to engineering problems.
• Assist in writing technical documents and present technical work at internal and external meetings, seminars, and conferences.

Requirements

• Thorough training and experience in ceramic engineering or ceramic fabrication, demonstrated by research, analysis, and publications.
• Analytical thinking skills, including advanced experience in data analysis, manipulation, and interpretation.
• Experience documenting technical results in a formal method/format.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

Qualifications

Position requires a Master's degree in a STEM field from an accredited institution and 6 years of related experience.

Desired Skills

• Demonstrated experience in designing and executing experiments in radiochemistry.
• Experience with gas management in nuclear fuels.
• Experience with modeling of density gradients and thermal loading in ceramic solids, particularly nuclear fuels.
• Post-doctoral experience in a STEM field.

Work Location

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

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 North Korea, and the Russian Federation who are not Lawful Permanent Residents are prohibited from accessing facilities supporting national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production, including Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Benefits

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

Additional Details

This position requires a Q clearance, which typically requires U.S. citizenship. Selected applicants will undergo a background investigation. A new-employment drug test is required, and the Laboratory maintains a substance abuse policy, including random drug testing. Use of marijuana, even if legal under state law, remains prohibited under federal law and will result in termination.

Regular appointment employees must serve a 1-year commitment in their current position before applying for other internal roles.