Physical Scientist - Nuclear Effects

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.

JOID assists the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in developing leading edge technologies to counter WMD in support of CCMDs and transitioning these technologies to military services and COCOMs. SPA provides expertise across the full range of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives (CBRNE) WMD, Counter Improvised Threat and Countering Threat Network technologies to support understanding, detection, identification, characterization, denial, control, disabling, defeating, disposing, safeguarding the force, managing consequences, and test and evaluation in support of military and civilian operations.

We have an immediate need for a Physical Scientist to provide onsite support in Lorton, VA.

Responsibilities

The candidate will provide subject matter expertise (SME) support to the DTRA RD Nuclear Technologies (NT) Department within the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) with emphasis on nuclear weapons effects and modeling of those effects. Will work in the Nuclear Technologies Effects (NTE) Division and serve as a SME to direct innovative research in modeling higher-order effects from low-altitude nuclear detonations. Present scientific and engineering principles supporting proposed research and development. Summarize and assess research proposals, analyze technical approaches to meeting operational requirements for nuclear effects targeting and filling capability gaps, and develop research strategy to close these gaps. Support development of program plans for nuclear effects technology areas. Actively engage and assist with the Division's research performed by national labs, academia, and industry. Provide technical advice to other related programs inside and, when appropriate, outside the Division. Collaborate, advise, and support the projects of the program managers. Direct research, as needed, to improve the capability of U.S. DoD to analyze the consequences of a low-altitude nuclear detonation. Help oversee and contribute to numerous research and development projects that the agency sponsors at national laboratories and industry. Assist with acquisition actions, including MIPRs with DoD performers, IOs with other Federal agencies, contracts with industry, and grants with academia. Respond to interagency, DoD, and DTRA taskers. Participate in interagency meetings; lead meetings as required. Assist the Nuclear Effects Division Chief with programmatics and administration.

Travel: 10-25%

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Physical Science, or related engineering field or MS in Physics, EE, or related scientific or engineering field

• At least 2 years of experience in nuclear, engineering, science, CBRN, or WMD R&D programs

• Demonstrated physical science research and development experience; experience in nuclear research or electrical engineering

• Able to work independently and complete tasking with minimum guidance and supervision

• Posess excellent interpersonal communication skills

• Active DoD Secret clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI

Desired:

• MS or PhD in EE or related scientific, mathematics, or engineering field (if EE degree, has work experience in nuclear technology and survivability)

• Experience in nuclear, chemical, and biological defense as part of a DoD research and development enterprise

• Experience with or knowledge of the DoD acquisition policies

• Working knowledge of nuclear weapons effects and wargaming

• Knowledge of nuclear weapons delivery systems, nuclear survivability, or related warfare systems

• Knowledge of modeling and simulation, software development

• Familiarity with scientific program development, planning, programming, and reporting

• Active DoD TS/SCI

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