Senior Data Scientist

Job Description

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site's Cold War legacy. Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.

Responsibilities

The Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) is a diverse, multi-mission laboratory delivering timely, innovative, high-impact national security solutions. STL is a key player and leader that provides the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and inter-agencies with capabilities that address national security requirements.


STL is seeking outstanding candidates for a Data Scientist position to work at STL located in Santa Barbara, CA. This position will support STL's core portfolios in Dynamic Experiments, Nonproliferation Research and Development, Cyber Physical Defense, and Strategic Systems and Intelligence by applying advanced data science techniques to complex problems.

In this role, you will apply data science principles to support engineering and scientific efforts, focusing on developing and deploying models for analysis, prediction, and optimization. You will work with diverse datasets to extract insights, develop predictive models, and contribute to decision-making processes. Collaboration with a team of engineers, scientists, and technicians covering all phases of technology development, from concept to deployment, will be essential.


Key Responsibilities

Develop new and unique data-driven solutions to highly complex technical problems of broad scope. Solutions may require resolving conflicting customer expectations and design requirements, utilizing unconventional data sources, and cross-portfolio integration.

• Develop and implement reinforcement learning models for various applications.
• Conduct data analysis, develop statistical models, and build machine learning algorithms.
• Design and evaluate experiments to validate model performance and impact.
• Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to support strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in calculus-based technical (STEM) field plus at least 5 years relevant experience. Skill building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross-disciplinary knowledge. Graduate research experience may be recognized.
• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field preferred, such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Engineering.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing reinforcement learning models.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in data science (e.g., Python, R).
• Familiarity with machine learning frameworks and libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong interest in chemical process optimization.
• Should be self-motivated and able to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write reports and technical documents.
• The primary work location will be at the Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) located in Santa Barbara, CA.
• Work schedule for this position will be negotiated with the supervisor; employees can work 5-8, 9-80, or 4-10 work-weeks.
• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, "Personnel Security". If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, "Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites," will be conducted. Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709, "Counterintelligence Evaluation Program."

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

Annual salary range for this position is: $101,524.80 - $152,297.60.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.