Explosives Experiment Diagnostics Lead - Active Security Clearance Required

LLNL; Tracy (CA); Hybrid; USD 155,000 - 236,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is seeking an Explosives Experiment Diagnostics Lead to oversee the FXR accelerator diagnostics, safety, and data capture during explosive experiments. You will lead a multidisciplinary team across LLNL and partner labs to ensure reliable fielding and measurement of diagnostic data.

The role requires an active DOE Q or Top Secret clearance, advanced pulsed power expertise, and strong leadership, coordination skills, and communication in a high-hazard

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or equivalent.
• Active DOE Q or Top Secret clearance.
• Advanced knowledge of diagnostic pulsed power equipment setup, operation, data collection, timing, and accelerator systems.
• Experience coordinating internal and external stakeholders or diagnostic data acquisition.
• Strong verbal and written communication and ability to present to management, regulators, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee safety posture, operation, maintenance, and upgrade of the FXR accelerator, and develop processes for safe fielding of diagnostic systems.
• Provide direction for a multidisciplinary team to meet diagnostic electrical and mechanical requirements for safe operation and data capture.
• Develop training plans and individual development programs for accelerator staff.
• Improve capabilities for accelerator diagnostic fielding to keep pace with tech and program needs.
• Collaborate with Coordinators, Fabricators, Engineers, and other subject-matter experts across LLNL, DoW, and NWC for explosively driven experiments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Pulsed power diagnostics

Team leadership

Stakeholder coordination

Technical presentations

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

FXR accelerator hardware

Job description

Explosives Experiment Diagnostics Lead - Active Security Clearance Required

• Full-time
• Organization: Strategic Deterrence
• Category: Physical Life Sciences
• Job Code 2: TSS.4 Technical Services & Ops MTS 4
• Employee Referral Bonus: Not applicable
• Job Code 1: TSS.3 Technical Services & Ops MTS 3
• Pre-Employment Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
• Pre-Placement Medical Exam: A job-related pre-placement medical examination may be required
• Security Clearance: Active DOE Q clearance (or active Top Secret clearance)

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have an opening for a Explosives Experiment Diagnostic Lead. You will assist the Explosives Experiment Fielding Leads and Explosive Research Experiment Leads (Ramrods) in the diagnostic fielding of the Flash X-Ray (FXR) radiography. Responsibilitiesinclude the operation, maintenance, repair and upgrade of the FXR accelerator, timing, firing, coordinating, reviewing, and implementing the designs, procurements, manufacturing, hardware and software systems associated with diagnostic data collection and execution of explosively driven experiments. The experiments are primarily conducted within Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL) Site 300 Firing Areas but also occur at off-site facilities such as Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), and others. This position is in the Design Physics Division within the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate.

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options, may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

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

• Be responsible for, direct and oversee the safety posture, documentation, operation, maintenance, and upgrade of the FXR accelerator, and the development of processes and procedures for the safe and effective fielding and interfacing of diagnostic systems.
• Provide oversight and direction for a multidisciplinary team of operators to fulfill unique diagnostic electrical and mechanical requirements to achieve safe and secure operation of the FXR accelerator for explosive experiments diagnostic data capture.
• Develop and implement training plans and individual development programs for accelerator team.
• Provide solutions for the expansion, evolution, and optimization of all aspects of accelerator diagnostic fielding capabilities to keep pace with technological advances and programmatic requirements.
• Collaborate with the Coordinators, Fabricators, Technical Release Representative, Explosive Experiment Fielding Supervisor, Explosive Experiment Fielding Leads, Explosive Research Experiment Leads (Ramrods), Facilities Managers, Electronic Engineers, and other subject-matter experts throughout the explosively driven experiment community within LLNL, DoW, and the Nuclear Weapons Complex.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

In Addition, at the TSS.4 Level

• Leadand contribute to long-term strategic program and budget planning.
• Define and guide technical and operational direction of the accelerator team.
• Set objectives and key results for diagnostic team members, ensuring alignment with Weapons Physics and Design (WPD) program goals.
• Manage and maintain the test schedule by balancing diagnostic personnel and resources in support of programmatic work for the Explosive Experiment Fielding Leads.
• Perform Explosive Experiment Fielding Lead responsibilities as requested.

• 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 a STEM field or equivalent combination of education and previous relevant experience.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with specialized diagnostic pulsed power equipment setup, operation, data collection, timing, and accelerator systems.
• Experience with internal and external stakeholder coordination or diagnostic data acquisition.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills and experience delivering effective technical presentations and providing advice to management, regulators, reviewers, and stakeholders.
• Experience working independently and providing technical leadership or guidance to multidisciplinary teams in a research environment.

Additional qualifications at the TSS.4 level

• Experience representing critical capabilities and needs to internal and external stakeholders and customers.
• Experiencemanaging multiple technically intensive projects with competing priorities while meeting programmatic, safety, security, and operational requirements.
• Ability to identify and analyze sub-standard or failed processes, make immediate short-term corrections, and implement long term strategies to prevent recurrence of issues in future experiments.
• Demonstratedexpertise leading, mentoring, and collaborating within multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Expert verbal and written communication skills and a demonstrated record of delivering top-quality results in relevant areas of science and engineering.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience working in an explosive or equivalent high-hazard operational area and the ability to work safely around high explosives.
• Comprehensive knowledge of processes and procedures for handling and storing classified information (data) and materials.
• Experience with linear induction electron beam accelerator system design or diagnostic data collection.
• Demonstrated experience implementing corrective actions and process improvements.
• Knowledge of identifying and analyzing risks to develop and implement effective controls for unique experimental activities.
• Knowledge and understanding of project management, including creating budgets, schedules, and resource plans in an R&D environment.
• Experience in the Strategic Deterrence weapons program and/or explosive hydrodynamic experimentation.

Pay Range

$154,950 - $235,692 Annually

$154,950 - $196,476 Annually for the TSS.3 level

$185,850 – $235,692 Annually for the TSS.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.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

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

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

Site 300 is an experimental test site operated by LLNL. Situated on 7,000 acres in rural foothills approximately six miles southwest of downtown Tracy and 15 miles southeast of Livermore, Site 300 hosts approximately 200 employees with expertise in such fields as engineering, chemistry, biology, and environmental restoration. Employees assigned to work at Site 300 may be exposed to the organism that causes San Joaquin Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis).

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 useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile deviceyou must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate 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.

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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