Senior Explosives Chemist 1

The Engineering Science Division (ESD) of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Senior Explosives Chemist. ARA's Engineering Science Division provides research, development, test and evaluation services to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The successful candidate for this position will support the DHS Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) Detection Technology Center (DTC) at Redstone Arsenal, AL.

Responsibilities

• Lead synthesis of a variety of homemade explosive (HME) energetic materials.

• Perform characterization and analytical techniques to identify and quantify chemicals/materials.

• Support explosives effects research, including Homemade Explosives sensitivity analysis, scale-up testing, thermal stability testing, and modeling and simulation work.

• Support development of test plans, reports, presentations, laboratory safety assessment plans, standard operating procedures, and other support documentation.

• Maintain qualification in chemical, radiation, and laser safety, and explosive handling as mandated by facility procedures and training.

• Present and report research results using standard formats and templates in a timely manner.

• Publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals, as applicable.

Qualifications

• BS or MS degree with 3 - 10 years of related experience.

• Analytical method development for chemical analyses and quality control.

• Experience developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for analytical chemistry methods and/or bench scale synthetic processes.

• Experience employing analytical chemistry methods for development of quantitative instrumental chemical analyses.

• Experience maintaining and calibrating laboratory equipment.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, team oriented, detail oriented, and customer focused.

• Experience with MS Office applications.

• Eligibility and willingness to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance and DHS Suitability.

• Sole US Citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and ability to produce homemade explosives (HME).

• Experience with development and application of test instrumentation techniques.

• Experience with small scale and scaled-up HME preparation/safety testing/evaluation.

• Active TOP SECRET Security Clearance.

• DHS Suitability.

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 1200 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company's success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, "Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit" sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the Senior Explosives Chemist position.