Nevada National Security Sites · 2 weeks ago
Senior Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff, Solid State Pulsed Power Physicist
North Las Vegas, NV
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$200K/yr - $321K/yr
20+ years expMSTS manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site, focusing on national security through high-hazard experimentation. They are seeking a Senior Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff in Solid State Pulsed Power Physics to provide technical leadership for the Scorpius Accelerator project, which involves advanced solid-state pulsed power systems critical for national security missions.
Government Administration
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Exercises recognized technical leadership, creativeness, and judgment to prove or disprove the feasibility of ideas and devices for the most complex technical problems across a broad program scope. Solutions are comprehensive in science, engineering, and business aspects and exhaustive at all levels, and are cross-disciplinary
Serve as the subject matter expert and national technical authority on all aspects of solid-state pulsed power systems for the Scorpius Accelerator. Provide technical guidance and strategic direction during installation, commissioning, and sustained operation, ensuring the system meets stringent performance and reliability requirements
Guide the integration and optimization of the Scorpius solid-state pulsed power systems, leveraging deep expertise in the LLNL-developed technologies, while mentoring early-career scientists and engineers. This includes critical oversight of the pulsers, modulators, and associated control and diagnostic systems to achieve precise electron beam delivery parameters
Identify and drive advanced research and development initiatives for next-generation solid-state pulsed power technologies and methodologies relevant to future accelerator requirements at NNSS, building upon the foundation of the Scorpius pulsers
Provide leadership in the identification, diagnosis, and resolution of the complex technical challenges related to solid-state pulsed power performance, stability, and longevity during Scorpius deployment and operation at ITS and PULSE. Champion inventive solutions to problems in this highly specialized field
Mentor and guide a dispersed team of physicists and engineers across various career stages, fostering world-class expertise in solid-state pulsed power. Facilitate critical knowledge transfer, particularly concerning the unique characteristics and operational nuances of the LLNL-developed Scorpius pulsers
Collaborate with ECSE and SEO leadership to formulate long-range strategic plans for the development, sustainment, and evolution of pulsed power capabilities across NNSS accelerator programs (Cygnus, ZEUS, Scorpius), ensuring alignment with national mission objectives
Work extensively with ASD Technical Leads, NNSS System Leads, and LLNL collaborators to ensure that the requirements, capabilities, and operational parameters of the solid-state pulsed power systems are thoroughly understood, communicated, and impeccably implemented
Develop, implement, and continuously enhance advanced operational and maintenance protocols for the solid-state pulsed power modules, aiming for maximum system uptime, reliability, and precision in their operating environments
Represent NNSS’s solid-state pulsed power expertise at national and international conferences, workshops, and review panels. Act as a primary liaison with external partners, particularly LLNL, for ongoing collaboration and technology exchange related to the Scorpius pulsers
Provides leadership in development of new business initiatives. Develops new initiatives for additional scopes of work
Conceives, plans, and conducts pioneering work in heretofore unexplored areas through defining customer needs, developing proposals, and by planning or modifying strategic research and development projects that will produce results meeting customer needs
Employs expert communication skills to advise customer decision makers. Exercises extensive influence on customer management and technical experts to ensure their needs are clearly defined and their program mission objectives are met
Defines cutting-edge projects and pioneering solutions in the scientific or technical arenas, often in unexplored areas of investigation and research that have impact on the business
May be called upon to represent company position to headquarters or regulatory customers. As required, will provide expert advice and counsel to the national laboratories and to DOE headquarters
Develops and presents education or training events in applicable discipline, as needed
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or Bachelor's degree in calculus-based Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) field, plus at least 20 years' relevant experience
A Ph.D. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution, coupled with a minimum of 25 years of groundbreaking experience in accelerator physics and engineering, with significant contributions to accelerator technology involving Solid State Pulsed Power (highly desired)
Extensive experience on large projects and/or complex science facilities, with a history of providing engineering solutions in support of these complex facilities, with some emphasis on accelerator engineering
Experience analyzing, designing, and/or building systems associated with particle accelerators, such as cathode structure, beam transport magnets, vacuum systems, support structures, precision alignment, fluids & gasses, precision machine design, and heat transfer management
Experience with mechanical engineering analysis software such as ANSYS, PATRAN
Experience planning and directing the work of designer/drafters and technicians
Demonstrated experience successfully leading technical projects or teams
Demonstrate effective decision-making skills, including knowledge of how and when to escalate issues to higher levels. Analyze the risks and future impact of decisions. Use cost benefit analysis in decision-making. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, work independently, and work as part of a team
Ability to execute work in a disciplined manner to demonstrate compliance with laws, codes, orders, policies and procedures
The primary work location will be at the Losee Road facility in North Las Vegas, Nevada with a secondary work location at the Nevada National Security Site (located 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada). Occasional travel is expected
Work schedule will be 4/10s Monday through Thursday (subject to change)
Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing
Must possess a valid driver's license
MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications
Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance
Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment
In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age
Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level)
Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, 'Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,' will be conducted
Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter
Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required
Preferred
Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in applied physics or a related field preferred
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision
Both a pension and a 401k
Paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays
Relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location)
Tuition assistance and reimbursement
Company
Nevada National Security Sites
The Nevada National Security Sites help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by: supporting the stewardship of the nation’s nuclear deterrent; providing nuclear and radiological emergency response capabilities and training; contributing to key nonproliferation and arms control initiatives; executing national-level experiments in support of the National Laboratories; working with national security customers and other federal agencies on important national security activities; and providing long-term environmental stewardship of the NNSS’s Cold War legacy.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Melissa Biernacinski
Action Officer, Government/Customer Relations and Strategic Partnerships
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