National Security Program Specialist

Brookhaven National Laboratory's Department of Nuclear Science and Security advances cutting-edge research, development, and technical innovation to ensure the safe and secure use of nuclear technologies. 

The Department serves as a resource in these and related areas to support the missions of the Department of Energy (DOE), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and other national and international organizations. With a world-class staff of professionals with expertise in a broad range of areas related to the design and analyses of commercial, research and advanced nuclear systems, Brookhaven's capabilities and facilities are also available to support and execute experiments in support of these missions.  

The Nonproliferation Policy and Implementation (NPI) Group supports nonproliferation policy initiatives of the U.S. government through analysis of international nuclear safeguards and nuclear and radiological security issues and formulation of recommendations to address both policy and implementation challenges. In addition, NPI brings expertise in international nuclear safeguards and security for the development of training programs on a wide variety of topics for international and domestic partners. The group also plays a pivotal role in advancing domestic and international security through assessments of evolving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats and detection capabilities. 

Position Description 

The Nonproliferation Policy and Implementation Group is seeking a National Security Program Specialist based in the Washington, DC area (National Capital Region) to support key national security programs at BNL, including the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other federal agencies. The National Security Program Specialist will provide sponsor engagement, technical expertise, project leadership, program coordination, and analytic support to these programs. The National Security Program Specialist will also be expected to build and maintain relationships with other partner organizations in the National Capital Region. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Support BNL’s national security work for DHS and NNSA national security programs, including international safeguards, radiological security, and homeland security initiatives. 

• Participate in program meetings, prepare reports, conduct policy analysis, and engage directly with federal sponsors. 

• Serve as principal investigator for current Department of Homeland Security projects at BNL, with responsibility for managing scope, budget, and timelines  

• Provide technical subject matter expertise to the Office of Radiological Security (ORS). 

• Support radiation detection equipment test campaigns, including extended on-site deployments at testing locations if needed. 

• Maintain strong relationships with DHS, NNSA, and other Washington, DC–area partners.  

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• A Bachelor’s degree in physics, nuclear engineering, health physics/radiation protection, or related discipline 

• Minimum of five (5) years progressively responsible full-time related work experience in international safeguards, nuclear or radiological security, and nuclear and radiological detection 

• Proven track record leading projects related to nuclear safeguards and nonproliferation, nuclear and radiological security and/or nuclear and radiological detection. 

• Experience serving as the technical point of contact for government contracts with private sector companies 

• Experience negotiating and managing interagency agreements 

• Experience writing successful proposals to federal funding agencies 

• Strong writing & presentation skills  

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 

• Ability to travel both domestically and internationally as required for programmatic work (approximately 30%) 

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance. A DOE Q clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• A PhD or M.A./M.S./M in.nuclear engineering or health physics is preferred. 

• Experience working at NNSA or DHS as federal employee or contractor 

• In-depth knowledge of NNSA programs supporting radiological security and international safeguards 

• In-depth knowledge of DHS programs supporting radiological detection 

• Prior relationship management experience maintaining sponsor relationships with NNSA’s programs on international safeguards, radiation detection, and/or radiological security and/or DHS’ radiological detection programs 

• Experience working in an international environment to implement programs in cooperation with bilateral and/or multilateral partners 

Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements: 

• This position may require travel to nuclear and radiological facilities.  In addition, job responsibilities may require entry into research laboratories or industrial facilities at BNL or elsewhere. Candidates should be comfortable traveling to and working in such locations.  

Other Information:  

• This is a remote position based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.  

• Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $100600 - $115000 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group. 

• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.