Senior Nuclear Engineer - TS/SCI Poly Required

Leidos Analysis Solutions is seeking a Senior Nuclear Engineer to support critical national security missions in Reston, Virginia.

About the role

In this role, you will apply advanced nuclear engineering principles in support of counterproliferation efforts and nuclear survivability (hardness) system design. This unique position combines rigorous computational physics, engineering analysis, and all-source intelligence tradecraft to protect national security infrastructure. You will join a government-contractor team focused on reverse-engineering above-ground and underground facilities, including their associated processes, systems, and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high-fidelity technical reverse-engineering analyses and vulnerability assessments of domestic and foreign facilities, stockpiles, supply chains, and production processes.
• Support defense and intelligence partners by identifying vulnerabilities and informing strategic decision-making.
• Analyze the effects of nuclear weapons on facilities, infrastructure, equipment, and operational workflows.
• Develop protective design criteria using physics-based models addressing radiation effects, electromagnetic pulse (EMP), and related interference phenomena.
• Utilize advanced multiphysics modeling and simulation tools to evaluate structural, thermal, and electronic degradation of nuclear-related facilities and processes exposed to weapons effects.
• Perform computational analyses to assess system performance, resilience, and survivability.
• Monitor, query, and synthesize information from diverse intelligence and open-source datasets, including GEOINT, SIGINT, and OSINT.
• Assess foreign nuclear capabilities, technological developments, and projected timelines.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, engineering assessments, and executive-level briefings on foreign capabilities, vulnerabilities, and engineering validation methodologies.
• Communicate complex technical findings to government stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Serve as a recognized subject matter expert within the nuclear engineering and counterproliferation domain.
• Provide technical guidance across programs and support strategic initiatives.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI Polygraph clearance (in-scope) and ability/willingness to maintain this clearance.
• U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience with nuclear weapons supply chains, manufacturing, fabrication, production, storage, or deployment processes and associated logistics.
• Experience assessing vulnerabilities across nuclear-related supply chains, stockpiles, and facilities, including development of mitigation strategies and countermeasures.
• Strong understanding of fault tree analysis, hazard analysis, and risk assessment methodologies.
• Deep technical knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear weapon design principles, radiation effects on materials, and electromagnetic shielding architectures.
• Experience developing and executing physics-based simulations using tools such as MCNP, SCALE, ORIGEN, COMSOL, and related modeling software, supplemented by data analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, or C++.
• Ability to formulate defensible judgments from incomplete or fragmented technical information and clearly communicate associated confidence levels and uncertainties.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments and defend analytical conclusions during rigorous peer review by defense and intelligence stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief senior leadership and clients on technical strategies, findings, and recommendations.
• Comprehensive understanding of engineering principles, theories, and concepts, and their application across multiple programs and mission areas.

Preferred Qualifications

• Military, Department of Defense (DoD), or Department of Energy (DOE) experience.
• Familiarity with Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 203 (Analytic Standards) and ICD 206 (Sourcing Requirements).
• Knowledge of protective design methodologies and hardening measures for sensitive nuclear facilities and associated processes.
• Deep understanding of EMP effects and other non-kinetic nuclear weapons effects.

Pay

Pay Range: $131,300.00 - $237,350.00. The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave, and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.