Engineer / Physical Scientist

About the role

Strategy Consulting Team (SCT) is seeking multiple Engineer/Physical Scientist candidates to support the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), Office of Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (NA-11). Positions may be filled at the junior or senior level based on experience and contract requirements.

Selected candidates will provide technical, analytical, programmatic, and integration support for research and development activities that advance stockpile stewardship, experimental science, and the broader Nuclear Security Enterprise. These positions will work closely with NNSA Federal Program Managers, national laboratories, Nuclear Security Enterprise sites, academic institutions, and other mission partners.

Employment offers will be contingent upon contract award, verification of qualifications, satisfaction of applicable security requirements, and Government approval when required.

Duties

Responsibilities may vary by assignment and level of experience and may include:

• Provide scientific and engineering expertise in support of NA-11 research, development, testing, evaluation, and experimental science programs.
• Serve as a technical advisor or program management specialist supporting the planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of research and development projects.
• Review proposed projects, project data sheets, technical plans, program documentation, and supporting data to assess technical sufficiency, feasibility, relevance, cost effectiveness, risks, duplication, potential synergies, and alignment with program requirements.
• Evaluate ongoing programs and research activities for technical viability, progress, performance, deliverables, metrics, emerging challenges, and opportunities for coordination across the Nuclear Security Enterprise.
• Review and analyze scientific and technical information related to nuclear weapons and NA-11 programs, including national laboratory reports, research papers, technical memoranda, plans, presentations, and professional publications.
• Develop, conduct, facilitate, and document technical reviews of projects, programs, experiments, and proposed activities.
• Participate on technical review teams evaluating technical readiness, project risks, mitigation strategies, schedules, costs, key performance parameters, workforce capabilities, and skill-mix requirements.
• Prepare clear, technically accurate assessments, analyses, recommendations, white papers, position papers, briefing materials, technical reports, and other decision-support products.
• Provide rapid-response analysis for congressional, departmental, administrative, oversight, and other time-sensitive requirements.
• Support annual program plans, implementation plans, milestones, performance measures, project tracking, planned expenditures, and related program management documentation.
• Gather, analyze, maintain, and report scientific, technical, financial, schedule, and performance information using Government-approved systems and tools.
• Coordinate technical exchanges, working groups, reviews, meetings, and collaboration among Federal personnel, national laboratories, Nuclear Security Enterprise sites, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.
• Record technical decisions, action items, risks, and recommendations and communicate their implications to program leadership and senior stakeholders.
• Support academic programs and workforce-development activities, which may include technical proposal reviews, academic center reviews, symposium support, and preparation of grant or cooperative-agreement documentation.
• Apply applicable DOE/NNSA quality, security, information-protection, records-management, and classification requirements when handling technical information and preparing deliverables.
• Travel to Nuclear Security Enterprise sites, academic institutions, conferences, technical reviews, and other locations as required.

Qualifications

• Advanced STEM degree-a master's degree or doctorate-in engineering, physics, another physical science, or a closely related technical field.
• At least five years of relevant experience working at NNSA, an NNSA national laboratory, or an equivalent national security, defense, Government, academic, or research organization.
• Experience conducting program management and/or research in one or more of the following areas:
• High energy density physics
• Primary weapons physics
• Secondary weapons physics
• Nuclear physics
• Energetic materials
• Applied explosives research
• Current DOE Q clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance. Access to classified information and facilities will be subject to DOE security requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex scientific or engineering information and translate findings into clear, defensible recommendations and decision-support products.
• Experience supporting research and development projects, technical programs, experiments, or formal scientific and engineering reviews.
• Strong technical writing, briefing, collaboration, and stakeholder-communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Federal Program Managers, scientists, engineers, national laboratory personnel, academic researchers, and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and produce accurate, complete, and timely work in a mission-driven environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel as required.

Additional information

Location: Work will be performed at DOE/NNSA facilities in the Washington, DC, area. The position may require local travel among DOE facilities and periodic travel to Nuclear Security Enterprise sites, national laboratories, academic institutions, conferences, and technical reviews.

Compensation

The anticipated salary range for this full-time position is $125,000 to $250,000 annually. The final salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and contractual requirements, as applicable.

SCT offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible full-time employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage; employer paid basic life and short-term disability insurance; voluntary supplemental insurance options; paid time off and paid holidays; and a 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching, subject to plan eligibility requirements.