Energetic Materials Chemist

Battelle•West Jefferson, OH

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

Battelle delivers when others can't. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients—whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency. We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply. Job Summary Battelle is currently seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented Energetic Materials Chemist within the Advanced Materials and Energetics (AME) Division working with the High Energy Research Lab Area (HERLA) Headquartered in West Jefferson, OH . This position will report to HERLA management and be responsible for current client program execution, development of new business and mentorship of staff. The position will assist in Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) in the subject area of energetic materials and their components. Our Energetics Team is staffed with experts in all manner arms, ammunition and explosives including munition design and engineering, chem/bio defeat devices, advanced performance measurement of energetic materials, energetic materials chemistry/synthesis, and energetic formulation processing. This expertise includes the safe test and evaluation of materials where energetic reactions are possible and containment mitigation of the hazardous effects is required. We take advanced technology concepts and materials to create fieldable solutions. The HERLA is a one of a kind, privately owned facility located on a 1200- acre plot of Battelle-owned land in West Jefferson, Ohio. The Energetics Team and HERLA are certified to handle the full range of energetic materials including Hazard Class 1 explosive materials, propellants, pyrotechnics, flammable solids and fluids, and ordnance items.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related discipline with 2 years of experience with energetics chemistry research, development, and/or test and evaluation, or an MS with 1 year of energetics chemistry experience, or a PhD from a program focused on energetics chemistry.
Experience synthesizing and handling energetic and hazardous materials.
Experience with instrumental analysis of explosives chemical, physical, and safety properties.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
US citizenship, with the ability to obtain and maintain required government security clearances as a condition of employment.
Sufficient medical fitness to work in the laboratory and in the field to perform assigned duties, including working in test chambers, test ranges, munitions bunkers, and field environments.
The ability to work in a team environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with modeling and simulation of explosive/energetic events
Safe handling practices for munitions and ordnance
Explosives formulation and passivation, including military, commercial, and improvised explosives
Experience with analytical chemistry techniques such as chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and spectroscopy techniques
Experience with manufacturing energetic materials - including mix-cast-cure propellants and explosives, melt casting, and all operations related to pressed explosives

Responsibilities

Execution, data analysis, documentation, and client communication assistance on various projects involving munitions/explosives/small arms testing and evaluation.
Develop safety documentation and ensure resulting practices are effectively integrated into the work being performed.
Assistance in the resolution/troubleshooting of technical difficulties and safety hazards involving munitions/explosives/small arms testing and evaluation.
Laboratory work involving synthesis of explosives, preparing explosive formulations, and instrumental analysis of explosives.
Laboratory work assisting in the formulation and manufacturing assistance of propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics.
Assist in the design and planning of projects, potentially including technical leadership of small teams of multidisciplinary scientists and technical support staff in the performance of selected tasks/projects within time and budget constraints.
Drafting of documentation of laboratory findings and results, including progress reports, final reports, and presentations.
Assistance with posters, articles, and presentations for technical conferences.
Assist with the technical writing of internal and external reports and presentations.
Assist with business development efforts as needed
Interact with PMs, PIs, and clients for the purposes of understanding and ensuring customer expectations and contract deliverables are met on-time and on budget.

Benefits

Live an Extraordinary Life We care about your well-being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.
Balance life through a compressed work schedule : Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off—giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, dependent on team and position needs .
Take time to recharge : You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
Prioritize wellness : Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
Better together : Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
Build your financial future : Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.
Advance your education : Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.
A Work Environment Where You Succeed For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity's most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.
You will have the opportunity to thrive in a culture that inspires you to:
Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects
Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery
Partner with world-class experts in a collaborative environment
Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders
Give back to and improve our communities
Vaccinations & Safety Protocols Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and/or its clients' requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated. If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).