Deputy Group Leader: High Explosives Science and Technology (R&D Manager 3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or High Deductible medical

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with matching

Relocation packages

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a Deputy Group Leader for the High Explosives Science and Technology Group (Q-5). You will partner with the Group Leader to lead Q-5, manage staff, and ensure excellence in facilities and experimental activities, meeting program milestones.

You will guide long-term vision, collaborate with program managers, and champion safety, quality, security, and environment across operations. A strong background in energetic materials and leadership is essential.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated successful leadership of technical projects and personnel.
• Ability to contribute technically to group projects and develop programs in related technical areas.
• Commitment to safety, quality, security, environment, health, diversity, etc.

Responsibilities

• Lead Q-5 group and manage staff to meet programmatic deliverables and milestones.
• Provide input for long-term explosives capabilities and advice on weapons programs.
• Oversee staffing, recruitment, and staff development; manage resources and budgets.

Skills

Leadership

Technical competence

Institutional acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree + 5 years related experience

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

What You Will Do

The High Explosives Science and Technology group (Q-5) serves the Laboratory and nation by providing the knowledge base in HE testing for the Nuclear Weapons Program and other national security areas. The group specializes in a broad array of energetic materials science including development (synthesis and formulation) and testing of novel explosives, pilot plant production of explosive materials, advanced manufacturing of explosives, analytical chemistry of explosives and explosives ingredients, detonation performance testing, and special security projects.

Q-5, formerly GMX, is a founding group of Los Alamos Laboratory. Tracing direct roots back to the Manhattan Project where its members pioneered the science of explosives and revolutionized atomic weapons design. Responsible for the invention of the first Plastic Bonded Explosive, the group has continued to modernize, revise, and maintain materials and design for every Los Alamos Lab produced nuclear device since Trinity.

The successful applicant will partner with the Group Leader to lead Q-5, manage staff and ensure institutional and operational excellence with Q-5 facilities and experimental activities. With the Q-5 management team, ensure the group is meeting programmatic deliverables and milestones.

The Deputy will provide input and decisions for long term vision of explosives capabilities that will become the DOE complex standard through cutting edge R&D efforts, as well as provide insight and advice for Weapons Programs on the development of future weapons, the productions of current weapons, and lessons learned from previous systems.

The Deputy Group Leader will also have the pleasure of working within the group, side by side, with paramount experts in the fields of Analytical Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Formulation Science, and other top professionals in disciplines pertaining to explosives characteristics and production. Broadly recognized as the premiere explosives group within the country, Q-5 is home to a professional, dedicated workforce with exemplary expertise in their fields.

The Deputy will assist the Group Leader with professional development, facilitation of resources, group authorizations, personnel management, and managerial guidance. They will develop and foster effective teams to manage the group's capabilities and resources to meet customer goals. Managing human resources related functions including annual performance appraisals, hiring, and conflict resolution will be central to the position.

The Deputy Group Leader reports to the Group Leader and assists and complements the Group Leader in ensuring effective program execution, sound fiscal management, stimulating program development activities, and promoting personnel development. You will be a member of the Weapon Stockpile Modernization leadership team and will collaborate with Weapon System Program Managers as well as Global Security Program Managers for integrated project planning efforts, including fostering the development of new research.

You will champion operational excellence in the areas of high explosives safety, conduct of operations, quality assurance, budget, and other aspects of integrated work management. The DGL will also work with the broader management team towards upgrading current and new facility operations as well as assuring assistance for R&D and production process implementation. This will include working with the Group Leader and Energetic Materials Characterization (EMC) team to execute the construction of the EMC facility.

Through day-to-day operations, you will recognize and initiate opportunities to advance the High Explosive Science and Technology Group within Q Division and across the Laboratory. You will assist Q-5 and the Q-Division office with the development, integration and execution of high explosive mission and implementation strategies. As DGL you will facilitate explosive operations for the group and collaborate with internal and external partners and customers of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

The position is funded at a 25% level, and the selected candidate is expected to have or develop technical work for the remaining 75% time related to work within Q-5.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Leadership

Demonstrated successful leadership of technical projects and personnel. Excellent written and oral interpersonal communication skills and exhibited ability to interact with all levels of personnel and customers. Demonstrated ability in conflict resolution. Established ability to successfully work as part of and lead a team, including delegation and recognition of others. Track record of accomplishing large program goals across organizational lines.

Technical Competence

The ability to contribute technically to one or more group projects and the ability to develop programs in associated complementary technical areas. Demonstrated familiarity with the basic nature of energetic materials and the response of those materials to various stimuli with working knowledge of the DOE Explosives Safety Standard, DOE-STD-12-12-2019. Established knowledge of and record of commitment to promoting objectives in safety, quality, security, environment, health, diversity, etc.

Institutional Acumen

Demonstrated experience with developing staffing plans, recruiting, and staff development. Established commitment to Laboratory goals and SCoR principle for ensuring the health and safety of workers and the public, environmental protection, workforce diversity, and employee development. Demonstrated commitment to Laboratory goals in assuring the security of classified information, assuring the health and safety of workers, the public and environment, workforce diversity and employee development.

Education/Experience:

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 5 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in a STEM discipline or engineering is preferred.
• Ability to provide direction and vision through positive example and action, effective and timely decision making, prudent resource/fiscal management, and application of sound business practices.
• Fundamental knowledge of nuclear weapons and the U.S. stockpile.
• Familiarity with Los Alamos National Laboratory weapons research and programmatic activities.
• Demonstrated experience with staff development including mentoring, team building, conflict resolution, and performance issues.
• Experience managing facilities with explosives and/or chemical hazards.
• Experience with personnel management
• Strong background in Explosive Science, Explosive Chemistry or related field.

Work Location:

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management

Position commitment:

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 2 years.

Note to Applicants:

• For consideration, applicants must submit a resume and a comprehensive cover letter that specifically addresses each of the requirements.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2

Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance:

Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test:

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position:

Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants:

Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Incentive Compensation Program:

Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.

Equal Opportunity:

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.