Job Information
Los Alamos National Laboratory Computational Scientist (Scientist 2/3) in Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
The work we do at Los Alamos National Laboratory delivers science and technology to protect our nation and promote world stability. In the Advanced Engineering Analysis Group (W-13) we lead the development of computational engineering solutions and expertise in support of national security challenges.
We strive to provide our national security customers with timely and accurate answers to complex engineering problems by creatively combining cutting-edge numerical tools across collaborative teams. Our customers include the nuclear weapons program, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense, among others. Our group expertise includes structural mechanics, structural dynamics, heat transfer, radiation transport, thermodynamics, hydrodynamics, probabilistic methods, material modeling, and numerical analysis.
There is a push in the weapons engineering community to increase the impact of modeling and simulations on weapons design, qualification, and surveillance. To achieve this goal, the weapons engineering simulation community must provide agile, responsive, and efficient simulation results with sufficiently predictive quantified uncertainty useful for engineering decisions for weapon design and system behavior. Many software tools, computing environments, databases, interfaces, and workflows are required across several divisions and groups to realize this vision. Within this vision, the Advanced Engineering Analysis group, W-13, is tasked with developing computational capabilities and capacity that confidently and sufficiently reproduce all material, interface, part, assembly, and system response when subject to all environments.
W-13 requires a dedicated computer science support staff member interested in working closely with engineering analysts. In this role you will work to develop and maintain more complete software packaging and distribution practices for in-house software projects, comparable to the open-source community. You will also serve as a Conda packaging subject matter expert, for pure Python, C++, and mixed Python and C++ software while helping us to maintain a secure work environment. In this role you will enable the weapons engineering simulation community to provide agile, responsive, and efficient simulation results with sufficiently predictive quantified uncertainty useful for engineering decisions for weapon design and system behavior by:
• Growing the developer operations and compute environment management of W-13
• Establishing and maintaining a Conda channel where software projects can be deployed against multiple sets of upstream dependencies for better and automated environment dependency resolution
• The inclusion of C++ compiler and library management in addition to Python package management
This position will be filled at either the Scientist 2 or Scientist 3 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.
Scientist 2 ($101,100 - $168,700)
• Serve as group Subject Matter Expert on scientific programming techniques, large-scale data analysis methods, and Software Quality Assurance practices
• Serve as group Subject Matter Expert on software best practices and as group liaison with other LANL computing organizations
• Work with group management to develop and execute strategic plans
• Lead and participate in brainstorming sessions to determine optimal use of computational systems
• Drive the implementation of long term and group wide computational solutions and analysis workflow best practices
Scientist 3 ($122,300-$206,300)
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
• Develops innovative advanced concepts, theories, methods, techniques and approaches to address specialized problems, expanding on existing efforts or establishing novel research directions.
• Solves a diverse range of complex problems that require the frequent use of creativity.
• Influences organizational, project, and program strategies and directions. Leads technical decision-making at task level within a project. Makes decisions and/or recommendations that influence the achievement of key programmatic objectives. May contribute to the development of technical standards.
• Uses project assignments to further organizational goals. Develops and implements project management plans, including scope, schedule, and budget, for small to moderate projects and/or major project tasks. Defines deliverables at project or major task level.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Experience with Code Development:
Thorough experience with modern programming languages (e.g. Python, C++, MATLAB, Julia) and their application to scientific computing (e.g. automation, pre/post processing, data analysis, file I/O, and parallel computing)
Configuration Management
Thorough experience with software configuration management and associated tools (e.g. git, gitlab, conda); Demonstrated proficiency in the use of high-performance computing architectures and knowledge of the drawbacks and benefits of such architecture with respect to simulation.
Communication and Teamwork
Excellent oral and written communication skills, particularly in technical reports and presentations; experience meeting deliverable deadlines, both independently and as part of a team
Additional Requirements at the Scientist 3 Level:
Technical Leadership
Demonstrated and proven experience leading projects, integrating and coordinating work, and working with customers to define computational tasks and plan deliverables
Developer Operations
Experience with Developer Operations (DevOps), including the deployment of custom software solutions, continuous integration and deployment, and maintenance of deployed software.
Education at the Scientist 2 level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a STEM field from an ABET accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level, a Master's degree may be preferred.
Education at the Scientist 3 level: Position requires a Master's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 6 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:
System Administration and Management
Experience or training in system administration for Linux servers; managing software projects.
Active Q clearance or equivalent
DOE Q or DOD Top Secret security clearance within the last five years
Location: This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM.
This posting is under the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Engineering (ALDW)
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: For full consideration, applicants must submit a resume and a comprehensive cover letter that specifically addresses each of the requirements.
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 childbirth 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
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 Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
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, 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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2 and then option 3.