Non-Destructive Assay Engineer

Company Description
Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!
Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.
We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.
Pay Range
$110,700 - $170,556 Annually
$110,700 - $142,128 Annually for the SES.1 level
$132,810 - $170,556 Annually for the SES.2 level
Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.
Job Description
We have an opening for a Non-Destructive Assay Engineer supporting stockpile stewardship of nuclear materials working in the Nuclear Materials Program. The Non-Destructive Assay Engineer will work with technicians, engineers, and scientists to perform radiological measurements to characterize nuclear materials. You will be responsible for all non-destructive assay operations, including operating and maintaining detectors and associated equipment for gamma spectroscopy, calorimetry, and neutron multiplicity, and analysis of collected data for isotopic abundances and mass quantification. This work will be performed on containerized radioactive materials within a high-hazard nuclear facility. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), within the Engineering Directorate. DTED provides support to Strategic Deterrence (SD) Programs.
This position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.
This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.
You will

• Perform radiological measurements and analysis on nuclear materials.
• Perform material movements for transfers of accountable nuclear material.
• Participate in the expansion of measurement capabilities by procuring, installing, maintaining, and upgrading instruments, contributing to safety documentation, writing operational procedures, training operators, and implementing process improvements.
• Prepare written analyses, verbal briefings, and other products to effectively capture and communicate measurement results.
• Present progress and findings to team members and internal customers.
• Complete training to become a Certified Fissile Material Handler and maintain status.
• Maintain progress on assigned project(s) while managing priorities, and adhering to defined practices and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level

• Perform advanced measurement analysis on items with measurement difficulties.
• Provide input on technical issues for specific projects and to external customers; recommending improvements and processes as appropriate.
• Provide technical solutions to moderately complex problems that typically require the use of established methods, but could involve innovative methods.
• Perform independent studies to characterize detector performance using approaches within generally established methods.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Fundamental knowledge of concepts, techniques, practices, and procedures to perform radiological measurements to characterize nuclear materials.
• Willingness to work with hazardous materials.
• Experience operating computers to collect, analyze, and document scientific results.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Experience performing radiological measurements and ability to perform advanced radiological measurement data analysis for material characterization.
• Comprehensive and working knowledge of concepts of radiation interactions, nuclear physics, radioactive decay, counting statistics, measurement uncertainty, gamma spectroscopy, calorimetry, or neutron counting.
• Proficientverbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment, present and explain technical information, and interact with a diverse set of scientists, engineers, and other technical and administrative staff in a research and development setting.

Qualifications We Desire

• Advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience with gamma spectroscopy software such as PeakEasy, MGA, and FRAM.
• Experience working with hazardous materials.
• Experience handling radioactive, pyrophoric, or other hazardous materials.
• Experience troubleshooting and maintaining instruments.

Additional Information
#LI-Hybrid
Position Information
This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.
Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Security Clearance
This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.
Pre-Employment Drug Test
External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.
Pre-Placement Medical Exam
A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.
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To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.
We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.
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