Nuclear Weapons Scientist; Scientist Los Alamos County, NM

Job Title

Nuclear Weapons Scientist (Scientist 2/3) – Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos County, NM.

X-Theoretical Design (XTD) is a national resource for deterrence of existing or emerging threats. We are experts in the physics of nuclear weapons, tasked with designing nuclear explosives for the US stockpile, bolstering the nation's nuclear triad capability and assessing global nuclear threats.

As a scientist in XTD, you will:

• Develop a thorough capability to solve problems of national security interest with large multi‑physics and/or radiation transport codes.
• Contribute to experimental design, model development, data evaluation, and/or code validation.
• Lead projects that rely on knowledge of nuclear weapons and mentor junior staff (Scientist 3 level).

Minimum

Job Requirements:

• Technical Knowledge – Demonstrated experience with one or more of: developing, running, or validating complex multi‑physics and/or radiation transport codes; experimental design and analysis; theoretical or analytic work that underpins computational physics models or experimental design.
• Professional Skills – Commitment to quality research, technical and scientific excellence, professional integrity, scientific communication, supporting diverse points of view, and personal initiative.
• Collaboration – Proven ability to work independently and in a team environment on multidisciplinary research problems.
• Technical Contributions – Documented history of technical contributions to a scientific field in the form of publications, technical talks, patents, etc.
• Technical Leadership – For Scientist 3:
  Technical leadership, supervisory and/or mentoring experience.

• Scientist 2 – Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 4 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Scientist 3 – Master’s degree in a STEM field and 6 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• PhD preferred with postdoctoral work in Physics, Computational Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Materials Science, Chemistry or a related field.
• Active DOE Q Clearance.
• Experience with large‑scale computing.
• Familiarity with the design and analysis of nuclear weapons.
• Knowledge and experience relative to uncertainty and/or risk analysis.
• Relevant military and/or intelligence experience.

• Onsite work location in Los Alamos, NM.
• Position commitment: 1 year.
• PPO or high deductible medical insurance; dental, vision, life and disability insurance.
• Paid childbirth and parental leave.
• 401(k) with 6% matching plus 3.5% annual contribution.
• 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).

Position will be cleared to Q level. Selected applicants will undergo a background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified material. U.S. citizenship is required.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as 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 applicable federal, state and local 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.