General Engineer/ Physical Scientist

National Nuclear Security Administration•Los Alamos, NM

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The General Engineer/Physical Scientist (QA) provides quality assurance technical expertise on all aspects of nuclear weapons components at a DOE Research and Production Laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The position evaluates contractor quality programs and production processes, monitors new weapon systems during development, and helps determine the quality controls and survey coverage needed for components. The incumbent reviews and supports Quality Assurance Implementation Plans (QAIPs), analyzes complex engineering and production issues, and helps weapons quality staff assess and resolve quality problems. The role also represents QA program management or the Site Office in meetings with contractors, NNSA weapon design laboratories, and other Site Offices, and attends program and design reviews to monitor preproduction progress, qualification activities, and effects on QA planning. The position is covered by the DOE Technical Qualification Program; the incumbent must obtain certification within 18 months of starting. A two-year trial period may be required, and the resume submitted for the application must be no more than two pages.

Requirements

For the EN-03 level, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS-11 level, including quality assurance engineering for nuclear and non-nuclear weapons components; applying DOE and Technical Business Practices to evaluate product and production quality; and conducting receipt inspections and addressing nonconformances.
For the EN-04 level, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS-13 level, including quality assurance engineering for nuclear and non-nuclear weapons components and monitoring or investigating complex electrical, electronic, mechanical, and electromechanical systems to ensure quality compliance and improve production processes.
Engineering qualification: a bachelor's degree in engineering from a school with an ABET-accredited program; or qualifying coursework in calculus and engineering science or physics; or an accepted combination of education and experience meeting the stated standard.
Physical Science qualification: a degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics including 24 semester hours in physical science or related engineering science; or equivalent education including those credits plus appropriate experience or additional education.
For the EN-04 level, experience and knowledge of NNSA security programs and procedures, environmental safety and health programs, procedures and laws, fabrication techniques, equipment, materials, special processes, product characterization, and their relationships to other functional areas and programs.
For the EN-04 level, experience managing a directive process, including communicating reporting requirements and establishing organizational requirements, responsibilities, and procedures.
Meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the announcement closing date.
Be a United States citizen and able to obtain and maintain a Q-level security clearance.
Pass a pre-employment drug test and be subject to random drug testing; receive a favorable suitability determination and complete a background investigation.
Submit required financial disclosure and provide two forms of identification under HSPD-12 requirements.
Meet Selective Service registration requirements if applicable.
Obtain certification in the DOE Technical Qualification Program within 18 months of the start date.
Limit the application resume to no more than two pages.
If relying on foreign education, provide the required accredited evaluation unless the stated U.S.-institution exception applies.

Responsibilities

Conduct and review quality assurance surveys, analyze findings, and recommend corrective actions or improvements to quality control programs and manufacturing processes.
Establish new or improved techniques for evaluating contractor quality programs.
Monitor new weapon systems in development to determine required quality controls, components requiring a QAIP, and appropriate survey coverage.
Ensure QAIP coverage, assist in developing new QAIPs, and review Site Office QAIPs for accuracy before submitting them for approval.
Analyze complex engineering problems involving precision machining and measurement, metallurgy, production processes, electromechanical devices, electronic assemblies, RF assembly and testing, rubber, plastics, polymeric materials, and test equipment design.
Evaluate contractor quality control and help weapons quality staff determine the seriousness and resolution of product or process quality problems.
Represent QA program management or the Site Office at meetings and conferences with contractors, NNSA weapon design laboratories, and other Site Offices to exchange information, resolve problems, and stay current on assigned areas.
Attend program review meetings and design reviews to monitor preproduction progress, product and process qualification, and impacts on NNSA QA planning.
Apply QA and QC methods, principles, practices, and associated costs to evaluate contractor programs for economically assuring the quality of complex nuclear weapon components, subassemblies, and assemblies.
Prepare written or oral reports, program-status findings and evaluations, briefings, or statistical data as needed for assigned program areas.
Obtain and demonstrate competencies required by the DOE Technical Qualification Program and achieve certification within 18 months of the start date.