Nuclear Survivability Scientist - Hybrid - Applied Research Associates, Inc

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA), Algorithms, Modeling, and Assessments (AMA) Division is seeking a Nuclear Survivability Scientist. In this role, you will support our initiatives in nuclear survivability and assessments and will be responsible for developing technology critical to the success of our projects as well as national security. You will do this by conducting hands-on M&S analyses of technical R&D problems for the nuclear weapon effects, missile defense, communications and space vehicle communities. Candidates will have a strong technical background in physics, electrical engineering or another relevant discipline. They will have a passion for exploring and learning the deeply technical aspects of nuclear weapon effects, high-altitude nuclear environments, nuclear survivability, modeling and simulation (M&S), nuclear physics, electromagnetic propagation, and system design and analysis. You will need to be a US Citizen with the ability to obtain a Secret or Top-Secret DoD Security Clearance.

What you’ll do as a Nuclear Survivability Scientist:

• Conduct analysis of systems, sensors, communications, and assets that must operate in nuclear environments.
• Develop requirements and standards for system and personnel survivability.
• Conduct studies and trade space analysis for sensor performance.
• Conduct M&S of ballistic missile defense systems.
• Perform M&S of high-altitude nuclear effects, radiation belt, command, control, and communication (NC3), and RF systems.
• Present technical briefings, findings, requirements, analysis, and recommendations. Prepare and review technical documentation.
• Identify gaps in technology and nuclear weapon effects M&S and identify solutions to address those gaps.
• Use and support development of software applications and models in nuclear weapon effects, survivability, and M&S. Develop physics-based weapon effects models.
• Conduct verification and validation (V&V) of models, algorithms, and results.
• Support software planning, development, testing, deployment, and usage.
• Conduct training of M&S software.

Nuclear Survivability Scientist Requirements:

• Bachelor’s in Physics or Engineering with 10-12 years of experience or a Master’s in Physics or Engineering with 8-10 years of experience.
• US citizen with the ability to obtain a secret or top-secret DoD security clearance.
• Demonstrated experience in nuclear weapon effects and nuclear survivability.
• Expert in M&S and system analysis.
• Experience with communication and RF system operation and analysis.
• Expertise in radiation physics and the impacts of those environments on systems, sensors, and military assets.
• Expert with nuclear weapon effects software.
• Experience conducting and documenting V&V of engineering models, algorithms, and applications.
• Strong communication skills.

Nuclear Survivability Scientist Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Physics or Engineering with 5-7 years of work experience.
• Experience with nuclear weapon effects, RF communication systems, or nuclear survivability.

Company & Division Information

Who is ARA?

Do you want to work for a purpose? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 2,282 employee owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

ARA also prides itself on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice with what happens in the company. We are also very proud of our Women’s Initiative Network (WIN), whose purpose is to motivate, support, and encourage professional career development for women to maximize career and professional accomplishments.

To find out more about what the Integrated Mission Systems Sector has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/

                                 ARA is an EOE M/F/Disability/Veteran employer

Experience

Required

• US citizen with the ability to obtain secret or top-secret DoD security clearance.
• Analysis of systems, sensors, communications, and assets that must operate in nuclear environments.
• 10 - 12 years: Bachelors with 10-12 years of relevant experience in nuclear weapon effects and/or nuclear survivability.

Preferred

• 5 - 7 years: PhD with 5-7 years of relevant experience in nuclear weapon effects and/or nuclear survivability.
• 8 - 10 years: Masters with 8-10 years of relevant experience in nuclear weapon effects and/or nuclear survivability.
• Experience with communication and RF systems.

Education

Required

• Bachelors or better in Physics or related field

Preferred

• Doctor of Philosophy or better in Physics or related field
• Masters or better in Physics or related field

Behaviors

Required

• Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Preferred

• Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
• Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
• Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Motivations

Required

• Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help

Preferred

• Peer Recognition: Inspired to perform well by the praise of coworkers
• Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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