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 essential to innovation and creativity for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$172,140 - $221,064 Annually for the SEL.3 level

$206,490 - $265,188 Annually for the SEL.4 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; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  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 Group Leader to lead the Plasma Engineering Operations Group (PEOG). The PEOG is a multidisciplinary group of engineers, associates, and technicians responsible for the design, modeling, and operation of Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) and related pulsed power/RGD/plasma-based systems ranging from tabletop devices through megajoule-class DPF’s in support of stockpile missions and other scientific applications. This position is funded by a small fraction of effort; the majority of the employee’s assignment will be through direct programmatic work on projects associated with R&D operations not covered by this listing. This position is in the National Security Engineering Division (NSED) within the Engineering Directorate. 

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. 

In this role 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 8+ staff including engineers, associates, and technicians.Provide technical guidance as the technical expert in all aspects of pulsed power/RGD/plasma-based systems operation including operational readiness, analysis, system trade studies, upgrade and maintenance, and cost and schedule estimates to ensure highest quality of work and ensured machine performance.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, and tracking progress of project schedule, milestones, and involved budgets to ensure desired results and deadlines are met.Ensure group member compliance with all safety and security requirements by monitoring and evaluating employee status on all mandatory training, verifying all remain current, and making certain that all understand, follow, and apply all necessary Laboratory and Directorate policies and procedures.Perform other duties as assigned.

In Addition, at the SEL.4 Level

Strategically anticipate, identify, and provide technical leadership as the subject matter expert to stay ahead of potential tangible and intangible problems of high complexity involving components, systems, and sub-systems, ensuring a smooth project lifecycle.Collaborate with stakeholders, and lead engineering staff and senior management to develop creative and innovative strategies to ensure complex program goals are met with optimum success and efficiency.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. 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, physical science, or related field or the equivalent combination of education and previous relevant experience.Significant operational experience or modeling experience with megajoule-class Dense Plasma Focus systems, or significant experience working with other high energy R&D systems.Demonstrated ability to enable the success of others through leadership, mentoring, and collaboration.Advanced verbal and written communication, facilitation, interpersonal, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively lead and provide feedback to technical teams, defuse conflict, and overcome setbacks, present, explain, and provide advice to senior management, and interpret and convey Laboratory policies to employees.Significant experience as a technical/scientific leader in organizing, planning, and coordinating projects through to successful completion in collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams, and advanced level interpersonal skills needed to attract, motivate, and retain a high performing technical staff.

In Addition, at the SEL.4 Level

Highly advanced knowledge of cutting-edge technologies for pulsed power/RGD/plasma-based systems.Extensive advanced level experience and expert ability to apply, lead, modify and/or develop cutting-edge principles theories, concepts, and technologies for the design and manufacture of highly complex involved components, assemblies, and systems.Demonstrated track record of success and ability in developing and optimizing strategies to improve technical methodology and operations.Expert verbal and written communication, facilitation, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.

Desired Qualifications

Master’s degree in Engineering, Physical Science, or related field, or equivalent experience.Subject matter expertise in the safe operation and maintenance of Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) and related pulsed power/RGD/plasma-based systems.Previous experience with pulsed power technologies including spark gaps, thyratrons, ignitrons, solid-state switches, capacitor banks, Marx generators, magnetic pulse compression, and pulse forming lines.Experience working effectively with other national laboratories, all levels of DOE, and other sponsors.Experience with LLNL and Engineering administrative, engineering, and safety practices, policies, and procedures, and knowledge of laboratory programs and technology application. Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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.

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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