Waste Characterization and Nondestructive Assay Analyst

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Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Waste Characterization and Nondestructive Assay (NDA) Analyst to support technical and operational activities associated with nondestructive analysis, nuclear material accountability, and radioactive and hazardous waste characterization. You will support nuclear materials operations including nondestructive assay measurements, holdup measurement programs, and waste characterization activities to ensure compliance with Department of Energy (DOE) requirements and environmental regulations. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including engineers, scientists, technicians, and operations personnel to ensure nuclear materials and radioactive waste are properly characterized, measured, and managed in accordance with regulatory requirements and operational objectives. This position is in the Radioactive and Hazardous Waste Management Program (RHWM) within the Strategic Deterrence Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at eitherlevel based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role you will

• Support the Associate Program Leader in managing projects related to Nondestructive Analysis laboratories, nuclear materials containers and shipping, vault operations, and MC&A inventory activities.
• Provide technical expertise for nondestructive assay measurements, including gamma-ray and neutron detection methods used to quantify and characterize special nuclear materials.
• Develop innovative methods to address complex NDA challenges, including holdup measurements and characterization of moderately complex isotopic compositions.
• Collaborate with MC&A measurement teams and operations personnel on selection, qualification, and deployment of NDA instruments and measurement methodologies.
• Coordinate holdup measurement walkdowns and schedule measurements aligned with inventory activities and statistical sampling plans.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret radiological and radioanalytical data from detection platforms.
• Support the radioactive waste nondestructive assay program by analyzing assay results to determine radionuclide types and activities in waste containers.
• Participate in the waste characterization process ensuring LLNL waste streams are properly characterized according to RCRA regulations and DOE orders.
• Interpret analytical and radioanalytical data to determine proper characterization and disposition pathways for radioactive, hazardous, or mixed waste.
• Collaborate with waste generators, field technicians, and ES&H professionals to provide technical guidance on waste management, transportation, and disposal.
• Prepare technical basis documents and waste sampling plans using the Data Quality Objectives process.
• Validate and accept chemical and radiological analytical data packages for waste characterization activities under limited direction.
• Ensure operations comply with DOE orders, MC&A requirements, environmental regulations, and waste acceptance criteria.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the TSS.3 level

• Act as the RHWM representative in technical discussions with various stakeholder groups (regulators, disposal sites, DOE).
• Perform validation and acceptance of chemical data packages.
• Develop and deliver training related to detection equipment, NDA methodologies, and waste characterization requirements.
• Oversee procurement, installation, and deployment of new instrumentation and measurement capabilities.
• Mentor and train less experienced personnel in the federal and state regulations governing waste management.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, Health Physics, Engineering, or related STEM field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with radiation detection instrumentation including gamma-ray spectroscopy and neutron measurement systems.
• Experience analyzing NDA measurements and interpreting radiological or radioanalytical data.
• Knowledge of nondestructive assay techniques used to quantify special nuclear materials.
• Experience interpreting analytical or radioanalytical data to determine waste characterization and disposal options.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations and health physics concepts related to radioactive and hazardous waste characterization.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of chemical compatibility, waste segregation, and waste acceptance criteria for waste shipment preparation.
• Experience applying statistical methods and measurement control techniques applicable to NDA instrumentation.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively explain and present waste characterization related data and strategies to an audience of varying technical abilities.

Additional qualifications at the TSS.3 level

• Advanced knowledge in one of the following categories: non-destructive analysis, analytical, inorganic or organic chemistry, or the waste management aspect of facility decontamination and decommissioning activities.
• Experience in process improvement activities and/or experience developing unique characterization methods for complex waste streams.
• Experience developing training practices, mentoring less experienced personnel, or leading projects that involve overseeing the activities of other personnel.

Qualifications We Desire

• Advanced experience with gamma-ray isotopic analysis, neutron detection systems, or holdup measurement techniques.
• Experience supporting nuclear material control and accountability (MC&A) operations or inventories.
• Knowledge of transuranic (TRU) waste management and transportation/disposal requirements.
• Experience developing waste characterization methodologies for complex waste streams.
• Experience working with databases supporting waste characterization or measurement data management.
• Experience mentoring staff or leading technical projects.

Pay Range

$129.152 – $196,476 Annually

$129,152 – $163,764 Annually for the TSS.2 level

$154,950 – $196,476 Annually for the TSS.3 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values – visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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LLNL is an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.