Group Leader: High Explosives Science & Technology (R&D Manager 4)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 130,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Parental leave

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a Group Leader (R&D Manager 4) for the High Explosives Science & Technology group (Q-5) to lead scientific, technical, and administrative activities. You will oversee a diverse team and ensure short- and long-term strategies align with program goals.

The role focuses on safe, high-explosives research, operational excellence, budgeting, personnel development, and collaboration with program managers, strategy offices, and field operations to advance core

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 8 years related experience, or equivalent.
• Experience leading technical projects and personnel in high-consequence operations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with customers at all levels.
• Mentoring and staff development including performance management.
• Experience with budgeting and resource management.
• Knowledge of explosives safety and regulatory oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Q-5 group in HE research and operations.
• Oversee staffing, performance appraisals, hiring, and HR-related functions.
• Ensure safe and secure conduct of high explosives research and QA.
• Collaborate with program managers and strategy offices on planning and execution.
• Manage facilities and operations for explosives and hazardous materials.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Conflict resolution

Team collaboration

Mentoring & staff development

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

What You Will Do

This position is open for both internal and external candidates to apply. The Group Leader (GL; R&D Manager 4) will have responsibilities in the leadership of the scientific, technical, and administrative aspects of managing the High Explosives Science & Technology (Q-5) group. As GL, you will oversee and support a diverse group of scientists, engineers, technologists, technicians, and support staff as well as ensuring both short- and long-term strategies for the group.

The primary responsibility of the Q-5 GL is safe and secure conduct of high explosives (HE) research. You will champion operational excellence in the areas of HE safety, conduct of operations, quality assurance, budget, and other aspects of integrated work management. The GL will manage staff and meet with the Q-5 management team to ensure the group is meeting programmatic deliverables, milestones, and customer goals. The GL will manage professional development, facilitation of resources, group authorizations, personnel management, and human resources related functions including annual performance appraisals, hiring and conflict resolution.

The GL will ensure sound fiscal management with effective program execution, stimulating program development activities and promoting personnel development. You will collaborate with Weapon System Program Managers, the HE Strategy Office, as well as Global Security Program Managers for integrated project planning efforts, including fostering the development of new research and strategic hiring to maintain and grow core capabilities. The GL will collaborate with Weapons Facility Operations (WFO) and the broader management team towards upgrading current and new facility operations as well as assuring assistance for R&D and production process implementation. You will be a part of the team executing the construction of the Energetic Materials Characterization (EMC) Facility.

Through day-to-day operations, you will recognize and initiate opportunities to advance the High Explosives 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 GL you will facilitate explosive operations for the group and collaborate with internal and external partners and customers of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Leadership

• Demonstrated successful leadership of technical projects and personnel conducting high-consequence operations.
• Excellent written and oral interpersonal communication skills and exhibited ability to interact with all levels of personnel and customers.
• Demonstrated experience with conflict resolution and staff development including mentoring, team building, conflict resolution, and performance issues.
• Established successful teamwork and consensus building consistent with appropriate delegation and recognition of others with the ability to team, collaborate, or integrate across program lines to accomplish larger program goals.
• Demonstrated evidence of mentoring and competence in leading teams and building rapport with peers and supervisors.
• Well-articulated leadership philosophy and strategy backed by personal examples.

Technical Competence

• Strong background in Explosives Science, Explosives Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fields.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the basic nature of energetic materials and the response of those materials to various stimuli with working knowledge of explosives safety.
• Strong technical understanding of the broad scope of work conducted in Q-5, including new HE molecule synthesis, HE manufacturing and formulation, HE pressing and machining, analytical techniques, dynamic testing, small-scale safety and thermal characterization.

Institutional Acumen

• Demonstrated experience with developing staffing plans, recruiting, and staff development. Established commitment to Laboratory goals and SCoR principle (or similar) 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 high quality work and the security of classified information.
• Extensive experience with safety and Hazard Analysis procedures, specifically with explosives and chemical work.
• Knowledge of internal and external funding agencies and experience engaging with programmatic sponsors and growing large multimillion dollar budget and portfolios.
• Experience with regulatory and oversight agencies and personnel.

Education/Experience: Position requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 8 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Evidence of an ability to influence scientific direction at the national level.
• Demonstrated experience with specific weapons systems and production.
• Demonstrated experience in building collaborative relationships across groups, divisions, and directorates, and externally with other laboratories, universities, or industrial partners.
• 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.
• Familiarity with the DOE Explosives Safety Standard, DOE-STD-1212-.
• Fundamental knowledge of nuclear weapons and the U.S. stockpile.
• Familiarity with Los Alamos National Laboratory weapons research and programmatic activities.
• Experience managing facilities with explosives and/or chemical hazards.
• Desires the STEM discipline advanced degree or engineering

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 1 year.

Note to Applicants:

For consideration, applicants must submit a resume and a comprehensive cover letter that specifically addresses the minimum and any desired qualifications.

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 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.