What You Will Do
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a premier national security science laboratory operated by Triad National Security, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Our mission is to solve national security challenges through scientific excellence, and our Criticality Safety team plays a vital role in ensuring the safe handling, storage, and processing of fissile materials across the Laboratory's nuclear facilities.
LANL is seeking qualified Criticality Safety Analysts at the Level 4 (Senior) or Level 5 (Expert/Principal) to join our Nuclear Criticality Safety program. These analysts provide technical expertise supporting operations involving special nuclear material (SNM) at facilities such as the Plutonium Facility (PF-4), Chemistry and Metallurgy Research (CMR) Building, and Technical Area 55 (TA-55).
This position will be filled at either the Criticality Safety Analyst 4 or 5 level, depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
Criticality Safety Analyst 4 ($153,600 - $266,500)
- Develop, review, and approve Nuclear Criticality Safety Evaluations (NCSEs) in support of operations handling fissile materials
- Perform criticality safety calculations using MCNP and other Monte Carlo transport codes
- Establish criticality safety limits, double-contingency analyses, and administrative/engineered controls
- Support Documented Safety Analyses (DSA), Technical Safety Requirements (TSRs), and Unreviewed Safety Question (USQ) determinations
- Conduct facility walkdowns, operational readiness reviews, and support DOE/NNSA assessments
- Collaborate with facility operations, nuclear safety, and criticality safety engineering staff
Criticality Safety Analyst 5 ($184,200 - $329,700)
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at the higher level you will also be expected to:
- Lead complex, high-consequence criticality safety analyses; mentor and provide technical oversight to junior/senior analysts; represent LANL in interactions with DOE/NNSA and external technical review boards; contribute to criticality safety program development and continuous improvement initiatives
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Criticality Safety Analyst 4 (Senior Analyst)
- Demonstrated proficiency with MCNP, SCALE, or equivalent criticality codes
- Strong working knowledge of ANSI/ANS-8 series standards and DOE Order 420.1C
Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics or related discipline from an accredited institution and 10 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Criticality Safety Analyst 5 (Principal/Expert Analyst)
- Demonstrated leadership in criticality safety program development, code validation, or benchmarking
- Experience interfacing directly with DOE/NNSA and external regulatory/safety boards
Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics or related discipline from an accredited institution and 15 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities. This DOE Order establishes entry-level requirements to ensure employees in the positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job. DOE 426.2 requires a BS degree, 2 years of job related experience and 1 year of non-reactor nuclear experience for technical support personnel who perform work independently at nuclear facilities. For those being considered at the lower level, the 1 year of non-reactor nuclear experience can be obtained with on-the-job training if the candidate is otherwise qualified under the DOE Order.
Desired Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or Health Physics
- Experience with LANL-specific or DOE complex-wide criticality safety programs
- History of technical publications or presentations (ANS, ICNC, etc.)
- Experience mentoring junior analysts or leading technical teams
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: 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.
Note to Applicants: Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China - including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau - as well as citizens of 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 the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- 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)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2: Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
- Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
DOE Order 426.2a: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular Position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to 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 federal 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 such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2.
