Group Lead, Advanced Network Software & Applications

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) seeks a Group Lead for the Software Engineering team in the ESnet division to drive architecture, delivery, and operations of high‑performance software for a world‑class research network. The role requires deep technical leadership, product planning, and a track record of managing complex, scalable systems in a collaborative, mission‑driven environment.

This is a senior, system‑level engineering leadership position fostering innovation and

Qualifications

• Minimum of formal engineering education with strong leadership experience.
• Hands-on experience in software architecture, lifecycle management, and AV/HA systems.
• Proven ability to lead medium-to-large software projects using agile methods.
• Strong planning, risk management, and effective communication with diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering leadership across architecture, design, deployment and operations.
• Build and lead a software delivery function focused on robust, secure services.
• Own software portfolio planning, prioritization and documentation.
• Establish development, testing and CI/CD practices for quality products.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a diverse technical team with growth plans.
• Partner with customers and stakeholders to define requirements and communicate decisions.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Software architecture

CI/CD pipelines

Container orchestration

Cloud infrastructure

Stakeholder management

Excellent communication

Networking fundamentals

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Kubernetes

CI/CD tools

Cloud platforms

Job description

Group Lead, Advanced Network Software & Applications

Are you an exceptional leader with a passion for developing software to build the next generation high-speed science network for cutting edge scientific advancements? If so, consider joining Berkeley Lab’s Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) – currently the fastest science network in the world! Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is seeking a Group Lead for the Software Engineering team in the Scientific Networking Division.

We’re a dynamic organization, highly-motivated and focused on results. Our mission is to accelerate science by delivering unparalleled networking capabilities, tools and innovations. As an organization, we are small enough to be agile, but large enough to offer rewarding challenges on a global scale. ESnet provides innovative networking and collaborative services to national research laboratories and other Department of Energy (DOE) sites, connecting them to research and education networks worldwide, as well as the greater Internet.

We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans

A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams!

In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.

Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)

You will:

Provide engineering leadership across the full software lifecycle, from architecture and design through deployment and operations.

Build and lead an effective software delivery function focused on robust, secure, and innovative services.

Own software portfolio planning and execution, including requirements, prioritization, and technical documentation.

Establish development, testing, and CI/CD practices that ensure high-quality products.

Recruit, mentor, and develop a talented, diverse technical team with clear roles and growth plans.

Partner with customers and stakeholders to define requirements and communicate technical decisions, risks, and tradeoffs.

Help shape software strategy as a member of the Division Leadership Team.

Foster an inclusive, compliant, and high-performing environment aligned with DOE and Laboratory policies.

As a member of the ESnet Leadership Team, the Group Lead will oversee the full life‑cycle of software development, building systems to automate the provisioning, monitoring, and analysis of a global data network in support of worldwide scientific collaborations. They will serve as a key member of ESnet’s Leadership Team, owning the technical direction and operational excellence of software services that underpin ESnet’s core functions. This role is accountable for managing a team responsible for software architecture and lifecycle management, including standards definition, solution design, implementation, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will combine a strong technical background with superior analytical, process development, and leadership skills to manage projects, processes, and people effectively.

We are looking for:

Typically requires a minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or equivalent experience, PLUS a minimum of 3 or more years of experience in a managerial (or lead) role of a software development organization or networking unit.

Management and Leadership: Demonstrated experience supervising teams of technical professionals, including performance management, resource allocation, and budget planning.

Technical Expertise: Significant hands‑on technical experience for mission‑critical services, including high availability, performance tuning, and operational recovery.

Software Lifecycle: Proven ability to lead the design and implementation of medium to large software development projects using agile methods and practices.

Strategic Planning: Ability to define a clear strategic vision grounded in data‑driven analysis and translate it into executable implementation plans.

Communication: Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to resolve technical and interpersonal conflicts with diplomacy and tact.

Tools and Technologies: Experience managing modern technologies including CI/CD systems, container orchestration, and public/private cloud infrastructure.

Outstanding communication skills are essential, as is the ability to work productively and collaboratively with technical and leadership members representing national and international research and education networks, technical experts, scientific customers, senior Berkeley Lab and Department of Energy management.

Desired skills/knowledge:

Demonstrated knowledge of network operations and network management systems.

Familiarity with DOE Office of Science research programs and the Research and Education networking community.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here.