Chemist - High Explosives Application Facility (HEAF)

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is essential to innovation and creativity for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$103,290.00 - $139,128.00 Annually for the SES.1 level

$123,960.00 - $166,992.00 Annually for the SES.2 level

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

Job Description

We have multiple openings for Chemists to work in the High Explosives Application Facility (HEAF) to address programmatic and research and development needs in energetic materials. You will collaborate with principal investigators and scientific and technical staff in explosive research and programmatic/experimental activities for surveillance and aging studies, physical and chemical characterization, and detonation science. These positions are in the Energetic Materials Group of the Materials Science Division.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role you will

• Collaborate with scientists, engineers and technical personnel to provide scientific support to various programmatic tasks and explosives research efforts with emphasis on chemistry and characterization of high explosives.
• Characterize the thermal properties of explosives using various techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, combustion calorimetry, and chemical reactivity testing.
• Contribute to aging and compatibility work by preparing assemblies containing explosives, polymers, and metals, performing gas-extraction, recording results, and communicating with colleagues and supervisors.
• Ability to work effectively with an experimental team under conflicting and rigorous deadlines.
• Skilled in design and performance of experiments and using analytical chemistry equipment, including knowledge of safety rules and procedures.
• Conduct, coordinate, and document procedures and peer reviews.
• Perform work as an LLNL Explosives Handler, and routinely work hands-on with energetic materials of all types.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level

• Provide chemistry knowledge to resolve technical and programmatic issues.
• Perform independent technical tasks to provide solutions for a diverse range of moderate to complex issues.
• Select methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to obtain results based on analysis of multiple, largely identifiable factors.

Qualifications

• This position requires the ability to secure and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelor’s (BS) degree in Chemistry, Materials Science or Environmental Technology, or the equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.
• Fundamental knowledge and understanding of chemistry and materials science and demonstrated mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to work effectively with an experimental team under conflicting and rigorous deadlines.
• Skilled in design and performance of experiments and using analytical chemistry equipment, including knowledge of safety rules and procedures.
• Experience handling and knowledge of chemicals in laboratory settings.
• High attention to detail, careful, and methodical in their experimental work.
• Willingness to routinely work with explosives and obtaining and maintaining required qualification as an Explosives Handler.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Master’s (MS) degree in Chemistry, Materials Science or Environmental Technology, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of chemistry and material science.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information.

Qualifications We Desire

• Knowledge of LLNL programs in energetic materials.
• Knowledge of and use of commercial instrumentation software.
• Knowledge of LLNL ES&H rules and regulations.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2022 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Education Assistance
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.