Explosive Modeler - Staff Scientist

High Explosive Modeler – Staff Scientist

Entry Level | Full‑time
Physical Life Sciences | Livermore, CA | 04/07/2026
Reference #: REF
8185P
Job Code: SES.
3 Science & Engineering MTS 3 / SES.
4 Science & Engineering MTS 4
Organization: Physical and Life Sciences
Position Type: Flexible Term
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

Staff Scientist responsible for research, development, and application activities supporting laboratory missions in the development of high explosive models predicting detonation performance in response to complex stimuli. Member of the Reaction Dynamics Group within the Energetic Materials & Design (EMD) section of the Materials Science Division supporting the Energetic Materials Center (EMC).

Hybrid schedule may be offered; see details as applicable.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience. Additional responsibilities listed below apply to the higher level.

• Develop advanced high explosive detonation models based on fundamental chemical and physical mechanisms.
• Interact with experimental groups and incorporate information from advanced experiments into current and developmental high explosives models to improve model fidelity.
• Systematically validate models against a suite of experimental data.
• Develop uncertainty quantification methods using statistical approaches and/or machine learning.
• Provide solutions and creative approaches to ensure project needs are addressed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Contribute to project/program milestone completion and provide solutions to complex problems that may not be well defined. Expected to work independently with minimal direction when appropriate and collaborate closely with other team members.
• Interact with the physics and engineering design staff and other users to support responsive model development and insertion options.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Contribute to developing a strategy to improve detonation models by incorporating initial conditions, morphology, and chemical variations to expand capabilities into adjacent domains.
• Actively support and guide experimental campaigns involving energetic materials to benchmark current models and advance model development to address complex problems relevant to national security missions.
• Create innovative methods, technologies, and knowledge in detonation modeling.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance (requires U.S. citizenship).
• PhD in chemistry, physics, or equivalent education/experience.
• Knowledge of shock wave physics, physical and chemical kinetics, statistical and thermodynamic methods.
• Familiarity with scientific programming, code development practices, and proficiency in one or more high‑level programming/scripting languages.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills for presentations and written reports.
• Advanced interpersonal skills to interact with a diverse set of scientists, engineers, and staff.

• Demonstrated expertise in detonation physics and energetic materials modeling.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical projects and a strong track record mentoring scientific staff.
• Strong track record of publications and/or technical reporting.

• Experience working in energetic materials research at a Department of Energy (DOE) and/or Department of Defense facility or equivalent with stringent safety and security policies.
• Knowledge of supercomputer applications in material modeling and energetic materials research.
• Knowledge of machine learning techniques applicable to material model development and/or complex hydrodynamic simulations.

$175,530 - $267,060 Annually
$175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.
3 job level
$210,630 - $267,060 Annually for the SES.
4 job level
Salary will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.…