Laser System Engineering and Operations Group Leader/Work Center Supervisor

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

$132,570 - $162,324 Annually

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 an Engineering Group Leader/Work Center Supervisor to lead a small multi-disciplinary groups of engineering associates, technologists, and supplemental labor responsible for supporting the Operations and Maintenance Work Center in the Facilities and Infrastructure Systems (FiNS) organization in the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science Directorate (NIF&PS).  You will have a critical role in fostering successful careers, creating a positive and inclusive working environment, and providing an outstanding and diverse staff to meet program needs. In addition, you will be responsible for the planning and execution of daily activities and work scope integration to allow the work center to function as efficiently as possible. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.

In this role, you will

• Lead, and provide technical and direct administrative supervision and oversight, as well as career guidance to group members.
• Perform personnel related functions, including recruiting, hiring, and retention activities, performance evaluation and alignment, salary management, influencing the work environment to foster staff development, employee morale, and well-being, and making; recommendations on promotion and disciplinary actions for group members.
• Monitor performance required to meet programmatic milestones and deliverables and lead corrective actions where necessary, while directing teams and individuals to perform work safely and consistently within program objectives.
• Collaborate with the NIF&PS Directorate leaders to identify and manage the work assignments for the group members, define work objectives, and obtain ongoing performance feedback
• Manage workforce projections working with programmatic managers to meet staff availability and training needs, using this information to help develop a vision for the group, including participating in planning, budgeting, decision making, and change processes, and establishing or modifying guidelines, techniques, and procedures.
• Advise and evaluate staff on the execution of technical work, provide performance feedback, identify staff networking opportunities, provide training and coaching, and facilitate regular career growth and development discussions, including plans and goals
• Manage LTRAIN Questionnaires and verify training compliance.
• Manage scheduling and tasks in Port and DOS, oversee operator scheduling, handle call outs/vacations, and maintain documentation including qualifications, training records, and work permits, while ensuring processes and procedures are current and adhere to programmatic standards.
• Liaise with external entities for work control, provide technical support and verifications through field observations, represent the work center in design and management reviews, and foster a positive team culture with regular communication across shifts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in a field of engineering technology, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced technical skills in electronic systems, mechanical systems, optical systems, operations, or mechanical design.  
• Advanced knowledge and experience in providing administrative and technical leadership and direction to others, leading and/or supervising personnel in laboratory and operations settings, and effectively utilizing available resources.
• Ability to assemble and direct teams to complete specific projects or resolve complex technical problems in a safe and secure manner.
• Established interpersonal skills to lead/supervise project teams, mentor, negotiate win-win solutions, execute team building, and provide customer service.
• Ability to communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome setbacks, and defuse conflict.
• Advanced verbal and written communication, presentation, and collaboration skills to interact effectively with people at all levels and ensure that program requirements are conveyed in a timely manner, as well as to present and explain technical information and provide feedback to direct reports.
• Ability to become Facility Control Room Operator Advanced Qualified

Qualifications We Desire

• Highly organized, reliable, and dependable with an ability to manage/supervise a variety of concurrent activities.
• Experience in payroll supervision, preparation of performance reviews, performance alignment and salary management, and knowledge of Engineering Directorate policies and procedures.
• Experience interacting with and satisfying customer needs in a highly technical setting.
• Experience in high energy and power laser systems, operations, or production organization.
• Experience in Ombuds program or equivalent.
• Facility Control Room Operator Qualified or Advanced Qualified

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 a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

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.

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.