Detonator Surveillance and Enhanced Assessments Group Leader - Active Security Clearance Required

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 dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$218,700 - $277,344 Annually for the SEL.4 level
$262,410 - $332,772 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; 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.

We have an opening for a Detonator Surveillance and Enhanced Assessments Group Leader. This role will have both Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) supervisory and Weapon Technologies and Engineering (WTE) programmatic responsibilities. You will lead the Detonator Surveillance Program (DSP) within WTE Program, manage personnel and resources, and lead a multidisciplinary team to accomplish the technical and administrative requirements for the DSP. This position is in DTED, 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.

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.

You will

• Provide overall leadership including supervision, technical direction, and support to a multi-disciplinary team of technical staff in accomplishing complex project or program goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with project leaders to assess workforce requirements. Lead, coordinate, and participate in activities related to recruiting, hiring, training, career development, performance management, and salary administration. This includes offering career counseling, mentoring, and coaching, as well as monitoring employee performance goals to address programmatic staffing, employee development, and performance needs effectively.
• Maintain a constructive and collaborative working relationship with WTE and DTED Management, the Initiation Systems Group Leaders, the Stockpile Systems Group Leaders, the WTE Surveillance Lead, the High Explosives Applications Facility (HEAF) Staff, the WTE Quality Assurance and Assurance Managers, and the Livermore Field Office (LFO).
• Oversee development of detonator surveillance processes and procedures including inspections, testing, processing data, authoring reports, maintaining equipment/lab spaces.
• Maintain standards for conducting surveillance inspections, testing, reporting, including regular reviews of test data quality and traceability to standards.
• Prepare financial projections and perform cost account management responsibilities for applicable accounts to support WTE planning and financial tracking.
• Serve as Authorizing Individual (AI) for DSP Work Control Documents (WCD) of work areas at HEAF and Site 300, and serve as the Responsible Manager (RM) for DSP’s vault-type rooms at HEAF.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SEL.5 level

• Utilize technical expertise to influence strategic technical decisions made by senior management and external customers.
• Determine, build, and deliver strategic planning efforts and succession planning on long range goals.
• Mentor staff across the organization, including other mentors.
• Serve as an organization spokesperson and senior technical expert for Laboratory management and/or as an external advisor for customers and sponsors.

• 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.
• Significant experience with, and advanced level knowledge of initiation systems, surveillance testing, high explosives, quality assurance, data analysis, diagnostics, test equipment, and data acquisition systems.
• Significant experience with, and advanced level knowledge of experimental testing of high explosives components and the associated DOE safety requirements.
• Advanced level problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and implement effective solutions for highly complex technical challenges.
• Advanced level organizational skills, and advanced knowledge and significant experience with project management tools and techniques, including work planning, scheduling, cost estimating, risk analysis, managing financial data, and project reporting.
• Significant experience in formal design reviews, technical presentations, operational procedures, work planning and control, and technical reporting.
• Expert written and verbal communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills to effectively work in a technical team environment, with the demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, advise senior management and/or external sponsors, as well as promote and maintain productive relationships across programs and directorates.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.5 level

• Expert knowledge of, and extensive experience with, engineering systems design, high explosives diagnostics development, and surveillance inspections and testing processes.
• Extensive experience in the leadership of technical projects, project planning, and execution. Expert verbal and written communication, facilitation, collaboration, interpersonal, and negotiation skills to effectively influence senior management and/or external stakeholders as needed.
• Extensive experience breaking down abstract, high-level requirements to specific technical development approaches and requirements, and outlining project tasks and milestones to meet such requirements.
• Extensive experience and expert technical knowledge to address advancements that may have impact beyond the Laboratory.

Qualifications We Desire

• Ability to obtain and maintain currency as a Derivative Classifier with knowledge of nuclear design and initiation systems.
• Working knowledge of Laboratory policies and practices and applicable NNSA orders.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

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

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

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.

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

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