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Posted: February 2, 2026 (12 days ago)

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DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIST/ENGINEER for PRINCIPAL WEAPON SYSTEMS SAFETY

STRATEGIC SYSTEMS PROGRAMS (SSP)

Department of the Navy

Recent

Location

Salary

$186,207 - $228,000

per year

Closes

February 17, 2026More Navy jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This role involves leading safety efforts for major Navy weapon systems, including nuclear and hypersonic projects, by reviewing risks, guiding development, and ensuring operations meet high safety standards.

It requires overseeing programs worth billions and representing the Navy at national and international levels.

Ideal candidates are senior experts in engineering or science with deep experience in nuclear safety and complex systems, passionate about public service and constitutional principles.

Key Requirements

  • Extensive experience in planning and executing Nuclear Weapon Safety reviews for operations and engineering development
  • In-depth knowledge of evaluating and mitigating risks in complex systems-of-systems to meet departmental and public standards
  • Expertise in nuclear weapon systems safety, surety, and conventional hypersonic weapons
  • Ability to provide technical oversight and guidance for multiple defense programs including Fleet Ballistic Missiles and submarines
  • Experience representing safety programs at national and international levels, such as with the U.K. under defense agreements
  • Proficiency in safety risk management practices across nuclear and hypersonic projects
  • Strong background in engineering or science, with accomplishments in high-stakes technical leadership

Full Job Description

You will serve as the Distinguished Scientist/Engineer for Principal Weapon Systems Safety in the Technical Division of Strategic Systems Programs (SSP).

The Secretary of War has ordered a department-wide hiring freeze subject to certain limited exceptions. This position is subject to the DoD hiring freeze.

Offers of employment related to this vacancy announcement will not be executed until the position has an approved exemption.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, your resume must show that you possess the Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES.

Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s).

If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ#1.

Extensive knowledge and experiences in the planning and execution of Nuclear Weapon Safety reviews for the weapon systems operations and the engineering development activities. TQ#2.

Extensive knowledge and experiences in evaluation and assessment of complex systems-of-systems to ensure proper and appropriate surety risks are identified and mitigated to levels acceptable to SSP, the Department of the Navy, the Department of War, and appropriate public and political sensitivities.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. Major Duties:

  • You will serve as the Command Safety Principal for all SSP programs to include Navy Strategic Weapon System, Columbia Class CMC Production, Submarine Launched Cruise Missile – Nuclear, SSGN Attack Weapons System, and Conventional Prompt Strike.
  • You will provide technical insight and guidance in development and operations of nuclear weapon systems and conventional hypersonic weapons safety, and the nuclear weapons surety.
  • You will provide oversight of Safety Risk Management practices and their implementation across multiple Nuclear and Hypersonic programs and projects.
  • You will be responsible for planning and execution of all Nuclear Weapon Safety reviews for all future Fleet Ballistic Missile programs and modifications.
  • You will represent the Navy’s FBM safety and surety programs at the national level across services and internationally in support of the Polaris Sales Agreement and Mutual Defense Agreement with the U.K.
  • You will plan and conduct all Operational Safety Reviews and Special Safety studies required to grant and maintain approval for nuclear weapon operations.
  • You will substantially influence a development engineering portfolio budget of $17B .

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/2/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/2/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: ST-12870631-26-MCJ