Job DescriptionMSTS seeks a Senior Scientist / Physicist for the High Energy Density Experiments (HEDE) Team at our Livermore Operations site to lead the design, development, and operational fielding of advanced diagnostics across IR, VIS, UV, X-ray, and neutron regimes. In this role, you will take diagnostic instruments from conceptual physics requirements through benchtop calibration, characterization, and deployment in support of subcritical dynamic experiments and stockpile stewardship campaigns. Work is carried out in close technical collaboration with principal investigators at major user facilities, primarily the Nevada National Security Site, the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at LLNL, and the Omega Laser Facility.
ResponsibilitiesKey Responsibilities- Devises imaginative, thorough, and practical solutions requiring evaluation of standards and processes. Solutions may be unique.
- Design, model, and specify diagnostics spanning IR, VIS, UV, X-ray, and neutron regime.
- Utilizing tools like Chicago, COMSOL, MATLAB, Python, or machine learning frameworks.
- Apply principles of atomic and nuclear physics, spectroscopy, metrology, and crystallography to the development and calibration of specialized detectors
- Serve as subject matter expert on diagnostic physics, analytical methods, and instrumentation for collaborators and leadership.
- Incorporate mechanical and electrical design best practices into instrument integration, bench testing, and hardware assembly.
- Draft and maintain standard operating procedures, automated control routines (e.g., LabVIEW), and safety documentation for lab and field setups.
- Field, align, and operate diagnostics during shot cycles at LO and partner facilities (NNSS, NIF, LANL, SNL)
- Troubleshoot electromechanical, optical, and physics-related issues during testing and shot execution.
- Process, calibrate, and analyze raw shot data, including uncertainty quantification and physical interpretation
- Write technical reports, test plans, journal manuscripts, and SDRD proposals.
- Coordinate schedules, deliverables, and field interfaces with shot directors and facility operations.
- Maintain safe, disciplined, and communicative laboratory and field work practices.
- Develops processes, procedures, work instructions.
- Foster a work environment that supports open communication and trust.
Qualifications- Bachelor's in calculus-based technical (STEM) field plus at least 5 years relevant experience. Skill building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross-disciplinary knowledge. Graduate research experience may be recognized.
- Master's degree in an applicable STEM discipline plus a minimum of 3 years of progressive, relevant experience; OR
- Ph.D. in an applicable STEM discipline with demonstrated doctoral or postdoctoral research directly aligned with dynamic experimentation, laser-plasma physics, high-energy-density science, or optical/nuclear diagnostics.
- Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Physics, Optics, or Nuclear Engineering highly preferred.
- Knowledge of Chicago, COMSOL, MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, or AI related software is beneficial.
- Knowledge of spectroscopy, crystallography, metrology, atomic and nuclear physics is beneficial.
- High Voltage pulsed power experience is desirable.
- Knowledge of mechanical and electrical design is beneficial.
- Ability to build teaming relationships with technical and other company organizations.
- Executes work in a disciplined manner to demonstrate compliance with laws, codes, orders, and MSTS policies and procedures
- Ability to interpret codes and standards applicable to the position.
- Experience with setting up and operating research and development (R&D) instrumentation in a laboratory setting.
- Other required skills include exposure in programming platforms, good technical writing and communication skills, and familiarity with PCs and PC application software, such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
- Desire to learn and innovate.
- Ability to work in hazardous environments that include high voltage systems, visible and ultraviolet lasers, large scale pulsed power machines, and vacuum and pressurized systems.
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, work independently, and work as part of a team.
- Ability to execute work in a disciplined manner to demonstrate compliance with laws, codes, orders, and MSTS policies and procedures.
- Direct operational experience designing, fielding, or analyzing data from diagnostic instruments fielded at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), Omega Laser Facility, Z Machine, or underground testing environments.
- Advanced domain expertise in X-ray imaging, neutron imaging, high-speed streak/framing cameras. or time-resolved optical spectroscopy.
- Experience writing successful technical proposals and serving as a Principal Investigator (PI).
- Must be willing to travel occasionally to the North Las Vegas Facility, the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) in Mercury, Nevada, and Los Alamos, New Mexico, in support of these functions.
- Must be able to obtain physical, on-site access at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
- Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
- Must possess a valid driver's license.
Annual salary range for this position is:
$101,524.80 - $152,297.60.Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.
