{"id":1491500,"url":"https://alion.io/job/american-systems-forensic-chemist-explosive","title":"Forensic Chemist (Explosive)","company":{"id":1945647,"name":"American Systems","domain":"americansystems.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/american-systems","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"iCIMS","truth_index":null},"role":"Science & Research","role_family":"Science & Research","seniority":"staff","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Indian Head, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":100000,"max":120000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":120000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-30T00:45:45Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-30","last_verified_at":"2026-09-30T10:32:39Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":null,"days_open":3,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":3},"description":"Overview\nAre you a Forensic Chemist looking for an exciting opportunity? We are looking for a Forensic Chemist who specializes in explosives to join our team and provide mission-essential support for our nation's War Fighters.\nAMERICAN SYSTEMS is an employee-owned federal government contractor supporting national priority programs through our strategic solutions in the areas of Information Technology, Test & Evaluation, Engineering & Analysis, and Training.\nResponsibilities\nPerform chemical analysis of recovered materials to detect and identify compounds present to include: explosives, homemade explosive pre-cursors, solvents, acids, bases, drugs, and other hazardous materials.\nDifferentiate trace explosive signatures from contamination and background.\nProvide information to assist in profiling and signature analysis.\nPerform appropriate presumptive and confirmatory analyses utilizing the following: colorimetric tests, thin layer chromatography (TLC), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and other instrumentation or techniques as available.\nEvaluate samples to determine appropriate sample preparation techniques: solvent extraction/filtration, liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction, solid phase micro-extraction, headspace extraction. \nUnderstand, and strive to implement, data quality and reporting guidelines established within the professional forensic community, Properly utilize reference standards (when available) to support the highest degree of confidence available in reported results.\nPerform instrument troubleshooting and maintenance.\nDevelop and validate analytical techniques to accommodate emerging chemical analysis requirements.\nInteract and collaborate with other group/team members and other forensic staff to ensure a high quality and accurate product.\nAMS1\n#TXP & AXC-GO\nQualifications\nCurrent Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance.\nTen (10) years of experience working in an accredited laboratory with explosive compounds.\nDegree from an accredited college or university in physical or life sciences with a minimum of 24 semester hours of chemistry coursework.\nProficient in use of excel/spreadsheets and other data bases.\nAbility to explain technical subject matter to non-technical audience.\nCompletion of formalized training program and subsequent performance as certified examiner within drug chemistry, trace analysis, explosives chemistry or related discipline.\nExperience working within a CEXC, WTI, C-IED Team, DTK Lab, JEFF, TEDAC facility, other NGIC, DIA or ATF Lab; interagency or state/local law enforcement environment is preferred but not required.\nPay Transparency Statement\nAMERICAN SYSTEMS is committed to pay transparency for our applicants and employee-owners. The salary range for this position is USD $100,000.00/Yr. - USD $120,000/Yr. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors permitted by law. AMERICAN SYSTEMS provides for the welfare of its employees and their dependents through a comprehensive benefits program by offering healthcare benefits, paid leave, retirement plans, insurance programs, and education and training assistance.EEO Statement\nEEO Race/Sex/Disability Status/Veteran Status","description_format":"text","description_chars":3297,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":10,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Retirement plans"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Cybersecurity","Military","Human Resources"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-30T00:45:45Z"}],"liveness":{"score":90,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.903,"p_room":1,"age_days":2,"expected_fill_days":49,"reasons":["conf:43","velocity","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-02T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":120000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/american-systems-forensic-chemist-explosive","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/american-systems-forensic-chemist-explosive.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-03T04:45:19Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":4986,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":14,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-10-04T00:00:00Z"}}}