Nuclear Material Process Control Analyst (MC&A Technical Specialist 1/2)

What You Will Do
Security Programs - Nuclear Material Control and Accountability group (SP-NMCA) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is responsible for implementation and execution of Nuclear Material Control and Accountability (NMCA) Program. In its essence, 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. As such, the 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 use of practically implementable, technically defensible and legally compliant means. To aid in this holistic effort, SP-NMCA is looking for qualified candidates to perform process monitoring within the LANL Plutonium Facility. This is an exciting opportunity for high performing and motivated technical professionals to shape the future of nuclear material processing operations at Los Alamos National Laboratory by working collaboratively to improve near real-time accountability of nuclear material while innovating and finding more efficient means of maintaining or improving upon critical requirements, both legal and technical. Process Monitoring is a freshly restarted program, which primary objective is to improve timeliness of detection of any potential loss of nuclear material. It relies on monitoring of process execution and movement of individual nuclear material items.

This position will be filled at the MC&A Technical Specialist 1 or MC&A Technical Specialist 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
Nuclear Material Process Control Analyst (MC&A Technical Specialist 1)
$76,900 - $122,200
As a Nuclear Material Process Control Analyst, you will collaborate across organizations to understand details of select processes, their normal and abnormal variations, collect operations' data, analyze process parameters, and offer performance improvement initiatives where applicable. Investigation of abnormal or out of control situations is a skill that will be exercised to reconcile differences and unexpected trends. Knowledge and experience in problem solving is an advantage in this role, as well as a desire for process improvement and willingness to take on a new challenge.
Nuclear Material Process Control Analyst (MC&A Technical Specialist 2)
$92,300 - $151,000
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level the Nuclear Material Process Control Analyst is expected to participate in the development of new process monitoring mechanism and approaches in response to programmatic evolution of the process and report progress to the NMCA Technical Support Program Manager on recommended improvements to the Process Monitoring program. The Nuclear Material Process Control Analyst is expected to understand statistical analysis methods, be able to interpret the results, and provide guidance to junior team members.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Minimum Job Requirements (MC&A Technical Specialist 1):
  • Ability to understand production-related nuclear material processes and regulatory requirements and incorporate into procedures and plans.
  • Ability to reliably and accurately gather raw process data and perform analysis to identify gross process deviations and/or for process improvement.
  • Willingness and ability to support and participate in engagement with specialized professional, research or operations organizations to mobilize cross-organizational resources to solve outstanding NMCA challenges.
  • Ability to communicate technical information to technical and non-technical stakeholders to gain consensus for testing and implementing recommended improvements.
  • Contribute to writing technical reports for internal and external stakeholders such as senior management and federal oversight.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Q-clearance and HRP.

Additional Job Requirements for MC&A Technical Specialist 2:
  • In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires more experience:
  • Gathering data for the purpose of process improvement, then testing and implementing improvements.
  • Willingness and ability to independently engage with specialized professional, research or operations organizations to mobilize cross-organizational resources to solve outstanding NMCA challenges.
  • Participate in the development of technically defensible and legally compliant solutions to complex process monitoring issues.
  • Contribute to making technically defensible argument to motivate stakeholders to make strategic changes and improvements to the process or its monitoring to be more effective and efficient.

Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and 4 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:
  • A background in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, statistics, or computer programming background highly desirable.
  • Experience auditing/assessing technical processes.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of nuclear material control and accountability program.
  • Experience working in a regulated environment such as a nuclear facility or knowledge and experience with nuclear materials packaging, storage, treatment, and disposal, chemical processing, measurement systems, modeling of data.
  • Knowledge of NMCA systems such as measurements systems, materials management, or knowledge of nuclear chemical processes, statistical concept and development of technologies.
  • Working knowledge of Python, SQL, C++ or other programming language.

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:

Please include a comprehensive cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum requirements and desired qualifications.
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.

HRP: This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

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.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

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 and then option 3.