Senior Geoscientist (Geophysicist) – Modeling & Simulation

Noblis•Albuquerque, NM

16h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for upcoming work and is contingent upon task award/funding. This will be an onsite position in Albuquerque, NM. We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior Geoscientist (Geophysicist) to support critical modeling and simulation efforts in support of conventional weapons effects and weapons penetration programs. In this role, you will apply advanced geophysical and geomechanical expertise to characterize subsurface environments, develop high-fidelity physics-based models, and inform weapons system performance assessments. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers in a dynamic, mission-driven environment supporting national defense objectives. This position is located at our Albuquerque, NM facility and requires direct engagement with government customers and technical counterparts.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in Geophysics, Geology, Earth Sciences, or a closely related technical discipline; Master's or Ph.D. strongly preferred
10+ years of relevant professional experience in geophysical modeling, subsurface characterization, or applied geomechanics within a defense, national laboratory, or research environment
Demonstrated expertise in ground shock modeling, energy coupling analysis, and the behavior of geologic materials under dynamic loading conditions
Hands-on experience with multiphysics simulation tools (e.g., ABAQUS, LS-DYNA, AUTODYN, CTH, or equivalent hydrocode/finite element platforms)
Proficiency in subsurface characterization methodologies, including interpretation of seismic, geologic, and geomechanical data sets
US Citizen with an Active Top Secret / SCI security clearance (required at time of application)
Strong technical communication skills with demonstrated ability to produce high-quality reports and briefings for government and senior leadership audiences

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Geophysics, Applied Mechanics, or related discipline with a focus on computational or experimental geomechanics
Prior experience working within a DoW, DOE National Laboratory, or defense contractor environment supporting weapons effects, terminal ballistics, or underground facility defeat programs
Familiarity with DTRA, AFRL, or Army ERDC technical standards and modeling frameworks for weapons effects and penetration analysis
Experience with geophysical field data acquisition, including seismic surveys, borehole logging, or in-situ stress measurements
Knowledge of classified weapons effects databases and associated penetration prediction tools (e.g., PENCRV3D, SAMPLL, or equivalent)

Responsibilities

Develop, validate, and execute geology characterization and penetration models to support conventional weapons effects assessments and penetration testing programs
Conduct multiphysics modeling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses to simulate weapon-soil/rock interactions across diverse geologic environments
Analyze and predict ground shock propagation, energy coupling, and attenuation through varied subsurface media to support lethality and effectiveness evaluations
Perform subsurface characterization studies utilizing geophysical data, borehole records, and geomechanical testing results to establish representative site models
Contribute to the development and refinement of conventional weapons effects models, ensuring technical accuracy and alignment with current empirical data and testing results
Support weapons penetration testing initiatives by providing geophysical analysis, site characterization deliverables, and post-test data interpretation
Author and review technical reports, white papers, and briefings for government sponsors, program managers, and peer technical reviewers