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Nuclear Engineer/Health Physicist
Engineering | livermore, CA | 03/14/2023
Job Code: SES.1 Science & Engineering MTS 1 / SES.2 Science & Engineering MTS 2
Organization: Engineering
Position Type: Career Indefinite
Security Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)
Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
Medical Exam: Not applicable
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
$103,290- $139,128 annually for the SES.1 level
$123,960-$166,992 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 Nuclear Engineer/Health Physicist. This work will take place within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate, home to the world’s most energetic laser. It is an exciting time to join the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022, a historic moment in science, opening up new physics regimes and setting the stage for new fusion energy possibilities.
As a result of realizing energy gain in inertial confinement fusion experiments, the National Ignition Facility (NIF) is preparing for additional, ground-breaking achievements. To support the expansion of NIF capabilities, we currently have an opening for a Nuclear Engineer/Health Physicist capable of applying commercial and in-house simulation tools for analysis and design in support of our energy and national security missions. You will be a key member of the NIF’s Radiological Operations Team supporting a broad array of tasks, including those necessary to support increasing yields. Additionally, you will conduct nuclear modeling used as part of shielding and instrument design. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.
This position will be filled at either level depending on your qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.
You will
- Develop a variety of technical documents such as operating procedures and hazards analyses using well defined criteria.
- Work under general direction to identify factors that will optimize physical, mechanical and operational aspects of the NIF to support dose reduction/minimization to levels that are as low as reasonably achievable.
- Assist with development of radiation transport models of engineering systems using Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) software
- Perform radiation calculations of limited complexity for shielding analyses and neutron activation determination.
- Remain current on radiation safety standards and emerging modeling tools.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
In Addition at the SES.2 Level
- Develop moderately complex to complex modeling of nuclear components using the MCNP code.
- Perform variance reduction techniques (e.g., using ADVANTG software) for simulations of radiation shielding and detection scenarios.
- Identify methods and establish protocols that support dose minimization while limiting NIF downtime for radioactive decay while working under limited directions.
Qualifications
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
- Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Health Physics, or related discipline or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Fundamental knowledge of and experience working in support of nuclear facility, nuclear reactor, accelerator, or radiological operations.
- Ability to work comfortably in facilities that contain a wide variety of hazards and hazardous operations (e.g. radiological, chemical, laser) after receiving appropriate training.
- Experience with relevant types of analyses (e.g., failure analysis, diagnostics, risk and hazard analysis, accident scenario development, source term evaluation, failure mechanism assessment, calculation of accident consequences, evaluation of probability of occurrence).
- Ability to prepare technical documents following appropriate analytical protocols while working under general direction (e.g., safety basis calculations, change control forms, failure mode effects and analyses).
- Sufficient verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively in a collaborative work environment and to document, present and/or explain technical or operational information and work results.
In Addition at the SES.2 Level
- Comprehensive knowledge and broad experience with radiation monitoring and dose minimization, including the development or use of software for managing dose of numerous work groups in challenging radiation environments.
- Comprehensive operational as low as reasonably achievable experience including the following:
- Dose reduction through temporary and permanent shielding design and installation
- Exposure optimization supported by time-motion studies
- Task/dose rate evaluation to optimize shot recovery workflow
- Proficient verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information.
Qualifications We Desire
- Master’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering, Health Physics, or closely related field.
- Experience working with configuration managed nuclear or safety systems.
- Experience in the preparation, review, and/or maintenance of documents related to radiological or nuclear safety.
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.Position Information
This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.
Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?
- 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.
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.
Reasonable Accommodation
Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.
California Privacy Notice
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.
