Livermore, CA, USA
21 days ago
W80-4 Life Extension Program Engineering Group Leader - Active Security Clearance Required
Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$206,490 - $318,216 Annually

$206,490 - $265,188 Annually for the SEL.4 level

$247,800 - $318,216 Annually for the SEL.5 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Job Description

We have an opening for a W80-4 Life Extension Program (LEP) Engineering Group Leader with responsibilities for leading a group of professional and technical personnel in the execution of the W80-4 warhead development program. Your team will provide a combination of engineering design, project management, certification, qualification and support to production agencies for the W80-4 nuclear warhead. This position is a line management Group Leader role in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED).

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.


This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

•    Provide leadership, supervision, and technical, strategic, and administrative direction, guidance, and support in accomplishing project/program goals and objectives to a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers.
•    Collaborate with Project Leaders to identify workforce needs, lead, carry out, and/or coordinate recruiting, hiring, training, career development, and performance and salary management activities as needed to meet programmatic staffing, employee development, and performance related needs, including providing career counseling, mentoring, and coaching, and monitoring employee performance goals and conducting annual employee performance reviews.
•    Establish project objectives and strategies for technical team, guiding workload planning for multiple projects among group members, assigning work, remaining aware of complex technical goals, problems, and solutions.
•    Foster and uphold the program’s mission, vision, and values through leadership of W80-4 personnel.
•    Lead team in conducting thoughtful and comprehensive reviews of complex engineering designs, providing expert technical analysis and recommendations for design optimization, and applying advanced knowledge and using innovative methods/technology where applicable
•    Monitor performance required to meet programmatic milestones and deliverables, respond to unexpected operational setbacks, and lead and advise on corrective actions when necessary.
•    Ensure team compliance with all safety and operational standards, while also making certain that safety related Laboratory and Directorate policies are understood, applied, and followed.
•    Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SEL.4 level

•    Strategically anticipate, identify, and provide technical leadership as a subject matter expert to stay ahead of potential tangible and intangible problems of high complexity, ensuring a smooth project lifecycle.
•    Work across stakeholder groups to identify and implement process improvements to enable more effective and efficient reviews, and to make recommendations and provide strategic technical advice to management and external customers.
•    Develop and roll out broad technical visions and strategies, using innovation, creativity, and influence as needed to obtain optimal methods, techniques, and analysis criteria for use when working with highly complex components, assemblies, and systems. Serve as subject matter expert in weapon system engineering or surveillance for the Program at meetings, briefings, design reviews, and committee activities both internal and external to the Laboratory.
•    Serve on external scientific or technical committees, positively representing the Program and the Laboratory.
•    May develop new ideas, modify approaches, and/or redefine requirements that impact organizational operations or directions.
•    Mentor staff across the organization, including other mentors.

Qualifications This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.Advanced knowledge of and significant experience with nuclear weapon systems, including aspects such as their design, their stockpile-to-target environments, and their environment-associated failure mechanisms.Significant leadership experience and demonstrated ability to successfully lead work in a technical or scientific environment.Advanced level problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and implement effective solutions for complex technical challenges.Advanced communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, as well as promote and maintain productive relationships across programs and directorates.Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely and accurate completion of reviews and assessments.Advanced level organizational skills, and advanced knowledge and experience with project management tools and techniques, including work planning, scheduling, cost estimating, analyzing and managing financial data, and project reporting.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.4 level

Expert knowledge of, and extensive experience in weapon related work such as systems engineering, project management, Joint Test Assemblies, the product realization process, and nuclear weapon certification.Extensive experience in the leadership of technical projects, project planning, and execution.Demonstrated track record of success and ability in developing and optimizing strategies to improve technical methodology and operations.Expert communication, facilitation, interpersonal, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, influence, and advise senior management, external sponsors, and/or key stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering.Advanced knowledge of Nuclear Weapons Complex sites and operations, National Laboratory policies and practices, and applicable NNSA orders. Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!Flexible Benefits Package401(k)Relocation AssistanceEducation Reimbursement ProgramFlexible schedules (*depending on project needs)Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversityOur core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Security Clearance

This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

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 LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.

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