Mass Spectrometry Chemist

About the role

General Matter is enriching uranium in America with a mission to restore the nation's ability to produce nuclear fuel that powers AI, advanced manufacturing, and critical industries. As a Mass Spectrometry Chemist, you will establish and advance analytical measurement capabilities for uranium isotopic analysis in a mission-driven, fast-paced environment. You will work hands-on with cutting-edge mass spectrometry instrumentation to develop, validate, and execute methods that directly support enrichment operations and product certification. This role offers the opportunity to build measurement systems from the ground up at a next-generation nuclear facility during rapid commercial scale-up, where your technical work immediately impacts the ability to produce low-cost nuclear fuel at scale. If you seek high impact and are excited by intense, Skunkworks-style projects in service of a mission of national importance, this role is for you. You will join a lean, world-class team applying first-principles thinking to solve critical nuclear fuel production challenges.

Key facts

What you'll do

Develop, optimize, and validate analytical methods for uranium isotopic analysis using mass spectrometry, including isotope-ratio MS and ICP-MS.

Perform isotopic sampling, sample preparation, and measurement workflows to support enrichment process monitoring and product certification.

Operate, maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot mass spectrometry instrumentation to ensure measurement accuracy, precision, and reliability.

Integrate measurement systems with sample-handling workflows and support automation and process improvements.

Collaborate closely with the Chemistry team and cross-functional partners from Operations, Product Certification, and Engineering to define analytical requirements and deliver results that drive decision-making.

Document methods, maintain rigorous QA/QC protocols, and support regulatory and compliance reporting as needed.

Contribute to continuous improvement of analytical capabilities as General Matter scales production.

Employ advanced problem-solving techniques to address measurement challenges in a high-impact, safety-critical environment.

Leverage instrumentation expertise to ensure data integrity, traceability, and compliance with nuclear materials handling standards.

Support the implementation of new measurement technologies and techniques as the company advances toward commercial scale-up.

Assist in the development of standard operating procedures and technical documentation for analytical methods and laboratory workflows.

Participate in laboratory safety programs and maintain a high standard of personal and operational safety in a nuclear materials environment.

Engage in technical discussions with cross-functional teams to align analytical strategies with business and operational objectives.

Provide technical leadership in measurement science to drive innovation and efficiency in isotopic analysis.

Act as a subject matter expert within the Chemistry team and represent analytical measurement functions in internal and external interactions as required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Radiochemistry, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Hands-on laboratory experience with mass spectrometry techniques, including ICP-MS and isotope-ratio MS.

Demonstrated ability to develop, troubleshoot, and optimize analytical methods and instrumentation.

Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail in data collection, analysis, and documentation.

Evidence of exceptional ability through prior research projects, published work, or demonstrated technical contributions in analytical chemistry or instrumentation.

Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearance and access authorization for work with nuclear materials.

Ability to work on-site in Los Angeles, CA or Paducah, KY.

Nice to have

Experience with uranium isotopic analysis, nuclear materials characterization, or safeguards measurement techniques.

Familiarity with TIMS, MC-ICP-MS, or other isotope-ratio mass spectrometry platforms.

Prior work in a DOE national laboratory, NRC-licensed facility, nuclear fuel-cycle company, or instrumentation vendor environment.

Experience in method validation, regulatory compliance (e.g., DOE, NRC, ISO standards), or quality assurance in analytical chemistry.

Background in fast-paced, resource-constrained, or startup environments where autonomy and bias toward action are required.

Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across technical and operational teams.

Practical notes

This is a full-time position based in Los Angeles, CA, or Paducah, KY, with the possibility of extended hours and weekends as necessary.