Senior Chemist 1

The Test Technology Division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Chemist to provide a key technical and business growth role in energetic effects testing and demilitarization process development while building a lasting career with ARA. The successful candidate should have a background in Engineering, Chemistry, or Physics and should have a strong desire to grow their expertise, work with government and commercial counterparts to develop, test, and analyze programs and make significant contributions to team and division goals and planning efforts. The candidate will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic team environment with frequent client interaction that requires strong multi-tasking and communication skills.

The successful candidate will be required to have and build relationships with both Commercial and Government clients and prospective clients. They will be required to conduct business development activities and develop programs in conjunction with clients that result in contract work for ARA. They must have the ability to capture new business and develop winning proposals in a collaborative team environment.

The candidate will support planning and field testing for evaluation of energetic effects and demilitarization processes in a variety of scenarios. These test events are critical to the development of technologies that safeguard our nation from future threats. There will be opportunities to work with technologies in advanced energetic materials, ground shock, thermal effects, structural response, radiation detection, chem/bio defeat, 3D printing, and autonomous unmanned systems.

The candidate will possess an in-depth understanding of energetic chemistry, chemical kinetics, purification procedures, compatibilities, and storage considerations.

Program management experience is required, which includes managing cost, schedule, and performance. The successful candidate requires problem solving and innovative skills to meet test objectives. Test program support will require formulation of the experimental approach, development of experimental designs, successful experiment execution, data analysis, and technical reporting.

Essential Functions:

• Development and testing of weapons effects programs
• Demilitarization process development
• Customer portfolio development and business capture
• Proposal development and leadership
• Ability to travel to and from test sites
• Ability to work both at the desk and in the field

Required Experience/Skills:

• Ability to obtain a DoD security clearance
• US citizenship is required
• Degree in Engineering, Chemistry, or Physics, plus 8+ years’ experience
• Understanding of explosives, explosive chemistry, and explosive effects
• Broad technical engineering / science capabilities
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work well both within a team and independently
• Experience with field test planning and execution
• Program management knowledge in monitoring budgets, timelines, client expectations, and deliverables

Preferred:

• Background in defense-related test support

Experience

Required

• 8 - 10 years: Relevant work experience.

Education

Required

• Bachelors or better in Chemistry or related field

Behaviors

Required

• Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
• Thought Provoking: Capable of making others think deeply on a subject
• Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
• Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

Required

• Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help
• Goal Completion: Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business
• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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