ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a Lead Polymer Systems Engineer to join our team supporting the Los Alamos National Laboratory! This position is full-time and will be based out of Los Alamos, New Mexico. This is an opportunity to be part of the first new weapon system program in over 30 years. Q-20, W93/Mk7 Systems Development and Realization Group, defines, develops, and fields the warhead system for the newest Navy sub-launched ballistic missile weapon program. They support the DoD/Navy SSP and DoE/NNSA customers in defining the mission need and corresponding technical and programmatic requirements. The W93 collaborates closely with Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Lockheed Martin Space design agencies, developing the re-entry system, ensuring safe, secure, & reliable warhead performance and a relevant nuclear deterrent. Q-20 also incorporates the production agency teams (KCNSC, Pantex, SRS, Y-12, LANL, and SNL) tightly into the design, qualification, and realization processes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the efforts of the LANL team designing and developing the polymer components.

• Collaborate with colleagues at Production Agencies across the Nuclear Security Enterprise, particularly Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC).

• Ensure the success of the team responsible for planning, managing requirements and interfaces, executing, testing, reporting status, and ultimately delivering a producible, Mark Quality design and product.

Requirements

• Education & Years of Experience –Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM field form an accredited college and university and 4+ years of related experience.

• Citizenship – To be considered, you must be a United States (U.S.) citizen due to the federal nature of the work.

• Clearance – To be considered, you must be able to obtain and maintain a government issued clearance, if needed.

• Significant knowledge and experience in one or more technical research and development disciplines.

• Demonstrated understanding of principles of scientific integrity.

• Significant knowledge and experience in developing and implementing technical research and development projects including the formulation and testing of hypotheses, investigation of alternative solutions, and recommendation of solutions to technical problem.

• Significant knowledge and experience in formulating and presenting results to technical audiences and readerships.

• Significant knowledge and experience of appropriate safe practices for technical work.

• Solves complex problems with multiple variables. Uses new techniques and unconventional methods when necessary.

Additional Job Requirements for Scientist 3

• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to work, influence, and lead in an R&D team environment consisting of diverse and multi-talented scientists, engineers, technicians, and operations personnel, including demonstrated ability to successfully mentor early career staff.

• Collaboration: Demonstrated record of developing and leading successful cross-organizational teams to solve complex problems.

• Engineering Design: Thorough knowledge of and demonstrated experience in developing and implementing technical requirements, specifications, plans, reports, and procedures related to product realization.

• Networking and Communication: Demonstrated experience in interacting and integrating effectively with external and internal interfaces (to include DoD, NNSA, and other agencies); building trust, gaining consensus, and resolving conflicts while nurturing relationships. Demonstrated experience developing and implementing solutions in a collaborative, team environment. Effective communication with the Program Level PRT Lead, Systems Engineers, Program Office, Electrical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Project Controls, and Test Technicians on development progress and issues.

• Program Management: Excellent project management skills, as demonstrated by experience overseeing and completing highly complex/high-profile projects on schedule and within allocated budget.

• Thorough knowledge and experience in one or more technical research and disciplines.

• Adherence to and advocate for principles of scientific integrity.

• Thorough knowledge and experience in developing and implementing technical research and development projects, including the formulation and testing of hypotheses, investigation of alternative solutions, and recommendation of solutions to technical problems.

• Thorough knowledge and experience in formulating and presenting results to technical audiences and readerships.

• Thorough knowledge and experience of appropriate safe practices for technical work.

• Experience with nuclear weapon system design and engineering, particularly US Navy systems.

• Experience with nuclear weapon development, qualification, certification, assembly/production, or surveillance.

• A science or engineering degree in a chemical, polymer or material-based field, for example, chemistry or material science and engineering.

• A demonstrated knowledge of chemical sciences and the ability to evaluate scientific data collected from material experiments.

• Understanding of material interactions, particularly polymer aging and compatibility.

• A firm knowledge of GD&T and the ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and interfaces.

• A demonstrated understanding of requirements engineering, creating, validating and verifying requirements.

• Familiarity with DPBPS (Defense Programs Business Process System).

• Experience with product realization from conceptual designs through to qualified production.

About the Site

The NNSA's Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), located in Los Alamos, New Mexico, is a design laboratory responsible for the safety and reliability of the nuclear explosives package in nuclear weapons. This lab possesses unique capabilities in neutron scattering, enhanced surveillance, radiography, and plutonium science and engineering (energy.gov).

ABOUT GEM

GEM Technologies, Inc. (GEM) is an award-winning federal contractor with more than 30 years of experience providing environmental, construction, facility management, and technical services to federal agencies, state and local governments, and commercial organizations. Founded in 1994 as a nuclear engineering firm to support federal operations in East Tennessee, GEM has since expanded into a nationwide, multi-disciplinary provider with over 270 employees and a diverse portfolio of contracts in the environmental, nuclear, and defense sectors. Some reasons to join GEM are:

• Our philosophy – We believe in the power of effective collaboration and recognize that good partnerships are the building blocks to success.

• Our relationships – Partnering with federal clients, we solve complex problems, exceed expectations, and advance critical missions.

• Our team – We are committed to managing a cohesive workforce and cultivating a supportive workplace for our employees on contracts and in-office.

• Our community involvement – Supporting our communities, we invest time and money in local schools and non-profit organizations.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

GEM’s offered compensation is dependent on candidates’ education, qualifications, and relevant years of experience. To recruit and retain our exceptional staff, we offer the opportunity to elect benefit packages that best suit our employee’s needs; this includes, but is not limited to, a competitive Salary, Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (including HSA & PPO options), Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays, Life Insurance, and a matching 401(k) Retirement Plan.