Measurements Specialist​/Statistician; MC&A Technical Specialist

What You Will Do

The Security Programs – Nuclear Material Control and Accountability group (SP‑NMCA) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is responsible for the implementation and execution of the 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 or processing nuclear material and the regulator, helping to navigate the legal framework through use of practically implementable, technically defensible and legally compliant means.

SP‑NMCA is looking for qualified candidates to implement the measurement control program within the LANL Plutonium Facility. This is an exciting opportunity for high‑performing and motivated technical professionals to shape the future of nuclear material process operations at LANL by working collaboratively to improve accountability while meeting or exceeding critical legal and technical requirements. This position will be hired under the functional areas of either NMCA Statistician or Measurements Specialist and will often include duties in nuclear facilities where SNM is present.

The organization values employees, diversity, and a work‑life balance.

This position will be filled at either the MC&A Technical Specialist 3/4 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate.

$114,700 – $191,200

The MC&A Technical Specialist is an essential function that provides independent verification and validation of non‑destructive assay (NDA) measurements used to demonstrate nuclear material control and accountability.

$125,200 – $211,300

At the higher level the MC&A Technical Specialist provides independent verification and validation of NDA measurements and supports the qualification of measurement systems, and response to facility operational events involving accountable nuclear material. The senior specialist also independently evaluates inventory difference methods, develops measurement uncertainties, and reports progress to the NMCA Technical Support Program Manager, providing guidance to junior team members.

• Demonstrated experience solving problems using technically defensible methods to analyze data.
• Knowledge and understanding of NDA measurement methods, such as gamma‑ray spectroscopy, passive/active neutron counting, calorimetric assay and other non‑destructive and destructive assay techniques.
• Willingness and ability to support engagement with specialized professionals, research or operations organizations.
• Knowledge and understanding of statistical methods for data analysis.
• Advanced communication skills for technical and non‑technical audiences.

• Gathering data and performing exploratory analysis to develop measurement uncertainties, evaluate the inventory difference model, and propagate variance.
• Leading engagement with specialized professionals, research or operations organizations.
• Mentoring less experienced staff to support technical skill development.
• Providing technically defensible and legally compliant solutions to complex NMCA issues.

Position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 6 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 8 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination. A Master’s degree is preferred. Professional training and certifications in related fields may be considered.

• A background in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, statistics, or computer programming.
• Experience performing NDA measurements in laboratory and in‑situ settings.
• Experience implementing measurement control programs for destructive and non‑destructive assay methods.
• Knowledge of nuclear material…