Group Leader (R&D Manager 4)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or high-deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) with matching

Flexible schedules and time off

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking Group Leaders for the Plutonium Materials Performance Group and the Plutonium Microstructure and Mechanics Group. In these roles, you will ensure mission needs and program deliverables are met while mentoring a team in plutonium R&D initiatives.

The ideal candidates will have strong scientific leadership skills, a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, and substantial experience in research related to plutonium materials science. This position offers a chance to lead significant projects focused on national security.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership in managing scientific projects and teams.
• Record of successful research in plutonium metallurgy or related fields.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead tactical execution and strategic planning for the Group.
• Oversee team-building and mentoring for capability development.
• Ensure adherence to safe and secure work practices.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Team building

Problem-solving

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Science or Engineering

8 years of related experience

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

What You Will Do

The Materials Science and Technology Division (MST-DO) currently has two Group Leader openings in MST-14 (Plutonium Materials Performance Group) and MST-15 (Plutonium Microstructure and Mechanics Group). The Group Leaders (GL) for MST-14 and MST-15 will lead tactical execution and strategic planning for the Group, ensuring that mission needs and programmatic deliverables are met today and into the future. The GL is also expected to maintain and grow a broad-based and integrated set of capabilities for plutonium R&D initiatives supporting science and manufacturing.

The GL will work closely with their Deputy Group Leader and MST Division management to provide leadership, vision, strategic and tactical planning, and management for high-quality production support, applied research, materials characterization, and fundamental plutonium science.

In MST-14 you will help lead a key materials science organization engaged in applied and fundamental science focused on plutonium materials science to support key nuclear weapons programs and national security missions. This group focuses on Materials Properties, Surface Science, and Gas & Corrosion Science to support key nuclear weapons programs, including Plutonium Modernization and Production, Pit Surveillance, Office of Experimental Sciences, Engineering & Technology Maturation, LDRD, and more.

In MST-15 you will help lead a key materials science organization engaged in materials characterization and applied and fundamental plutonium science to support key nuclear weapons programs and national security missions. This group focuses on Metallurgy, Electron Microscopy, and Dynamic & Mechanical Properties of plutonium to support key nuclear weapons programs, including Plutonium Modernization and Production, Pit Surveillance, Office of Experimental Sciences, Engineering & Technology Maturation, LDRD, and more.

• Support excellence in technical program execution including high-quality scientific research and completion of agreed-to program/project deliverables.
• Maintain employee team-building and mentoring to enhance capability development and integration for plutonium R&D science and manufacturing initiatives.
• Develop the team without compromising the interpersonal relationships of group members.
• Support stewardship of the Group's funding base and business management.
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with programmatic and line organizations both within LANL and across the DOE complex — especially with the Weapons Production, Weapons Engineering, and Weapons Physics programs.
• Ensure adherence to Conduct of Operations, maintaining safe and secure workspaces, and ethical work practices while remaining agile and adaptable to new challenges and change.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Experience in a management position and demonstrated scientific and organizational leadership as evidenced by the ability to form, organize, administer, and lead scientific projects, teams, and/or personnel.
• Record of successful research or expertise in a scientific field relevant to one of the group’s core research areas or programs in plutonium metallurgy, microstructure, electron microscopy, mechanical & dynamic properties, plutonium materials properties, surface, gas, or corrosion science.
• Experience in building and leading teams, mentoring, and motivating employees, and working effectively with all levels of internal and external personnel to gain consensus and resolve conflicts.
• Working knowledge of operational rigor needed to maintain safe, secure, and regulatory compliant operations within a nuclear facility.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate to personnel at all levels, with an emphasis on experience coordinating cross-organization collaboration projects.
• Demonstrated first-rate decision-making and creative problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt to rapidly changing tactical drivers, regulations, and work conditions while enabling production of quality results and mission advancement.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance, which typically requires U.S. citizenship.

Education / Experience

Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution and 8 years of related experience; an advanced degree in science or engineering is preferred.

DOE Order 426.2

Requires a Bachelor of Science in engineering or related science and 4 years of nuclear experience. Education or experience that is job-related may be substituted on a case-by-case basis. The degree may fulfill 3 of 4 years of nuclear experience on a one-for-one time basis.

Desired Qualifications

• Active “Q” clearance.
• Experience working in both R&D and manufacturing environments.
• Experience or prior involvement in Pit Manufacturing, Experimental Sciences, Pit Surveillance, LDRD research, and other weapons R&D projects.
• Demonstrated familiarity and understanding of the compliance and regulatory requirements for nuclear facilities.

Work Location

Onsite 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. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Benefits

• PPO or high-deductible medical insurance with a large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid maternity 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)
• On-site gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50-mile radius)

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.