Sea-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM) 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

$182,310 - $277,344 Annually
$182,310 - $231,180 Annually for the SEL.3 level
$218,700 - $277,344 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.

We have an opening for a Sea-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM-N) Group Leader with responsibilities for administratively leading a group of professional and technical personnel in the execution of the program of development for a nuclear-armed, sea-launched cruise missile. Your team will provide a combination of engineering design, project management, systems engineering, certification, qualification and support to production agencies for the weapon lifecycle. This position is a line management Group Leader role in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) within the Engineering Directorate.

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 SLCM 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.
• May develop new ideas, modify approaches, and/or redefine requirements that impact organizational operations or directions.
• Mentor staff across the organization, including other mentors.

• 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, responding to changing priorities, ensuring timely and accurate completion of reviews and assessments, and keeping management informed.
• Advanced level organizational skills, and advanced knowledge and significant 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.

#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.

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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. 

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