The posting
Location: Livermore, CA Title: Physicist (NWS 00956)
THIS POSITION IS SHORT TERM, MAX 1000 HOURS PER CALENDAR YEAR
North Wind Services (NWS) is a high performing, low risk company with a successful history of contributing to their client’s missions. NWS executes and manages a wide range of technical services such as environmental investigation and restoration, construction, demolition, radioactive and hazardous waste management, public communication/involvement, information management, health and safety, industrial hygiene, and emergency response/HAZMAT services.
North Wind Services is actively seeking individuals who can contribute to national security within the science, technology, and engineering fields as part of our supplemental labor team at vital federal research and development installations supporting the Department of Energy. Qualified applicants must be a US citizen, at least 18 years of age, and able to meet pre-employment requirements including any required physicals, drug screen, and/or background investigation to satisfy clearance requirements from the Department of Energy.
Successful candidates will be employees of NWS supporting the missions of their federal client, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, CA. Pay, benefits, Human Resources, and employment management functions are all provided by NWS. As an NWS employee working at LLNL, within the client’s environment, you will complete day-to-day tasks, with direction from technical personnel directly employed by LLNL.
The Strategic Deterrence Directorate has an opening in the Design Physics Division for an experienced Physicist for the Low Yield Nuclear Monitoring program to help model nuclear and chemical explosions and detection of magnetic and electrical fields. The successful candidate will work on-site to run codes, analyze results and attend meetings. The successful candidate will act as a senior level subject matter expert with minimal oversight and close collaboration with LYNM management.
Essential Duties - Transfer and share knowledge to mentor Design Physics Division personnel. - Apply expertise to address programmatic questions for the Low Yield Nuclear Monitoring (LYNM) Program and predict the observed responses. - Simulate magnetic moments produced by chemical explosions and compared the results directly with data from previous experiments. - Improve the understanding of magnetic and electric field source generation due to coupled and partially decoupled explosions. - Generate input files for multi-physics calculations for the LYNM program, interpreting their results and aiding in the technology transfer of this expertise to a new code and staff member(s). - Ensure the new code can replicate the coupled solutions representing flux-bubble phenomena. - Understand the source generation of EM signals to better classify events remotely. - Perform additional job duties as assigned.
Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities - Ph.D. in Physics, Engineering or Applied Sciences with over 10 years of hands on experience in multi-physics calculations. - Working knowledge of how to set up multi-physics calculations related to EM source production due to different types of explosions. - Presenting technical results at a high level to stakeholders and headquarters. - Train new team members to replicate current results and plan for future developments of models and methods to compare experimental data related to EM phenomena. - Experience using Linux clusters on LC on OCF and SCF. - Experience with MHD solvers in hydrocodes. - Experience with preparation of experimental measurement data for comparison with simulations and preparation of graphics, equations and technical writing for reports and presentations.
Desired, Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities - Experience with multiple hydrocodes at the lab for cross-comparison of results. - Experience with the development of V&V tests for code quality.
Special Requirements
Pre-Placement Medical Exam: A job-related pre-placement medical examination may be required.
Pre-employment drug test: External applicants selected for this position will be required to pass a post offer, pre-employment drug test.
Anticipated Government Clearance Level: Q (position will be cleared to this level). Applicants who are selected will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matters. In addition, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold multiple citizenships (U.S. and another country), you may be required to renounce your non-U.S. citizenship before a DOE L or Q clearance will be processed/granted.
North Wind offers a competitive pay and benefits package to include health, life, and disability insurance benefits, 401(k) with company match, generous paid leave, and tuition reimbursement for eligible employees. As a company, we are committed to employee wellness, professional development, and work-life balance. We value safety, reliability, and commitment to our people. For more information about benefits or hiring philosophy, visit the North Wind Career Opportunities Page.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The nature of those accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Helpline +1.208.528.8718 or use the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form to get assistance.
North Wind is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, religion, or other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information NW collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here: https://northwindgrp.com/wp-com .



