Criticality Safety Analyst /

What You Will Do
This position will be filled at either the Criticality Safety Analyst 3 or 4 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
Working as a Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) Analyst under the LANL NCS Program you will provide technical guidance to determine that fissionable material operations remain subcritical under normal and credible abnormal conditions.
Criticality Safety Analyst 3: ($122,300 - 206,300)
The successful candidate will:
Provide technical guidance to operating organizations.
Collaborate with operating organization personnel on NCS evaluations as the lead NCS Analyst.
Perform independent reviews of NCS evaluations.
Conduct periodic reviews of fissionable material operations.
Lead and/or participating in NCS response to programmatic issues and criticality process deviations/infractions.
Participate in NCS emergency response preparation (emergency procedures, plans, exercises, and drills).
Independently prepare, review, and/or present technical reports both internally to LANL and externally to the criticality safety community (e.g. American Nuclear Society, etc.).
Conduct NCS training for all levels of employees involved in fissionable material operations.
Assist in the development and/or review of new or proposed changes to existing NCS programmatic policy and implementing documents.
Lead and/or participate in assessments and audits of the NCS Program.
Mentor of less experienced Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) Analysts and Analysts In-Training on all aspects of criticality safety.
Criticality Safety Analyst 4: ($146,800 - $254,700)
In addition to what was outlined above, the Criticality Safety Analyst 4 will be required to:
Independently develop and/or review new or proposed changes to existing NCS programmatic policy and implementing documents.
Advise NCS Management on topics related to criticality safety at LANL, including impacts of changes to national consensus standards.
Independently lead groups of less experienced NCS Analysts on projects or work assignments.
Interface with the Department of Energy (DOE), Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB), Department of Transportation (DOT), and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for criticality safety issues and matters.
Participate in the development of criticality safety technical proposals and project cost/schedule documentation.
Provide technical leadership to resolve emergent issues affecting the NCS Division.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Prior criticality safety or related experience (typically 7-8 years)
Advanced knowledge in the discipline of NCS, including NCS evaluations, program implementation, computation tools, standard, and regulatory guidelines
Advanced knowledge on the meaning and use of the ANSI/ANS 8 Series National Standards and applicable DOE Orders, Standards, and Guides
Advanced knowledge on the use of the common NCS computer codes and cross sections in terms of modeling and NCS analysis.
Demonstrated ability to conduct NCS evaluations with all fissile/fissionable material forms in use at LANL
Demonstrated experience in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting NCS
Ability to conceptualize and communicate major elements of NCS to both technical and non-technical personnel
Experience as a successful mentor/coach of less experienced personnel
Additional Job Requirements for Criticality Safety Analyst 4
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
Prior criticality safety or related experience (a minimum of 10 years)
Expert level knowledge in the discipline of NCS, including NCS evaluations, program implementation, computation tools, standard, and regulatory guidelines
Expert level knowledge on the meaning and use of the ANSI/ANS 8 Series National Standards and applicable DOE Orders, Standards, and Guides
Expert level knowledge on the use of the common NCS computer codes and cross sections in terms of modeling and NCS analysis.
Demonstrated significant experience independently reviewing criticality safety evaluation (NCSE) and supporting criticality calculation in accordance with DOE standards and guidelines
Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics or related discipline from an accredited institution and 6 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics or related discipline from an accredited institution and 10 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation
This position may be subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities. This DOE Order establishes entry-level requirements to ensure employees in the positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.
Desired Qualifications:
Familiar with criticality computing platform selection/maintenance and Software Quality Assurance.
Demonstrated experience with qualitative and quantitative accident analysis techniques
Extensive knowledge of DOE requirements affecting nuclear criticality safety
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Note to Applicants: Please submit a cover letter addressing the requirements of the position along with your resume.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
Dental and vision insurance
Free basic life and disability insurance
Paid maternity and parental leave
Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
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)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
HRP: This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.
426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position at the higher level is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, October 31st. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, 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 federal 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. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to or call option 1.
We are looking for a candidate who meets the job description with 3 plus years of experience.