Inert Process Engineering First Line Manager (Manufacturing Manager 3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM seeks a First Line Manager to lead DP-2 Process Engineering. You will guide process engineers, manage staff, mentor engineers, and coordinate with DP, Design Agencies, procurement, and program offices to meet deliverables.

Your leadership will drive safety, quality, and efficiency while overseeing HR tasks, performance appraisals, hiring, and resource planning in a high-consequence manufacturing environment for weapon components.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field and 5 years of related experience.
• Proven leadership of engineering teams in a high-consequence manufacturing environment.
• Ability to guide engineering activities, ensure safety, and deliver on programmatic milestones.
• Experience mentoring engineers and facilitating cross-organizational collaboration.
• Strong communication, planning, and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Process Engineers and assist in staff management and technical activities to meet milestones.
• Manage HR functions including performance appraisals, hiring and PTO approvals.
• Ensure safety and security compliance and maintain required training and policies.
• Mentor engineers on safety, engineering rigor, and business practices; guide group growth.
• Interface with DP, design agencies, procurement, and program offices to align goals.

Skills

Leadership

Engineering management

Communication

Project planning

Team mentoring

Safety compliance

Cross-organizational collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

5 years related experience

Tools

Solumina

SOMS

SAP

PDMLink

EALink

CREO

SolidWorks

GD&T

DOE Q clearance knowledge

Job description

Where You Will Do

What You Will Do

Partner with the Group Leader in DP-2 to lead Process Engineers, assist in managing staff, and support technical activities within the group to meet programmatic deliverables and milestones. Serve as a contact for staff regarding technical leadership, professional development, facilitation of resources, and managerial guidance. Develop and foster effective teams to manage the group's capabilities and goals to meet customer goals. Manage human resources related functions including annual performance appraisals, hiring and conflict resolution.

The successful First Line Manager will provide effective personnel management while leading Process Engineering activities. Process Engineering is tasked with the development, implementation, oversight and optimization of manufacturing processes that produce weapon related components and assemblies. Process Engineers work with Product Engineers in the development, manufacture, and qualification of developmental and Weapon Reserve components. Detonator Production operations include high explosives, classified security assets, inert component manufacturing, inspection, and electro-explosive assembly operations. Further, the successful candidate will uphold the highest standards for a respectful workplace, employee development, work control, safety, security, quality excellence, teaming, and customer service. The selected applicant will work effectively with several other technical organizations across Design Agencies, DP, Procurement, and program offices to achieve Institutional goals and deliverables.

Primary work scope includes but is not limited to:

• Ensuring safety and security compliance, maintaining required training, adhering to laboratory policies, programs, procedures, and practices.
• Mentoring Process Engineers on topics related to safety, security, engineering technical rigor, DP business practices, and other relevant topics.
• Guiding the growth and development of the Inert Process Engineering team.
• Supporting Process Engineers to ensure timely execution of deliverables.
• Completing regular management administrative tasks including, but not limited to, timecard approvals, performance appraisals, promotion justifications, hiring, and PTO request approvals.
• Reviewing and approving engineering documentation.
• Providing leadership and technical development opportunities for Process Engineers.
• Interfacing with other groups within DP and outside organizations to achieve the goals of the division.
• Communicating with upper management to provide updates, discuss strategic plans, and align decision making.

For more details about DP, visit the following site: Detonator Production Culture

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

Engineering Experience: Knowledge of and experience in guiding engineering activities supporting high-consequence manufacturing operations while leading and managing engineering personnel. Demonstrated experience in manufacturing processing, and the application of conduct of engineering. Demonstrated ability to apply critical thinking skills to engineering challenges, high level of organizational skills and attention to detail.

Management: Record of accomplishment managing successful teams in a challenging manufacturing environment. Ability to provide day-to-day oversight, coaching personnel, and guiding career development. Experience in successfully mentoring/ guiding engineers and providing a positive environment for professional development.

Leadership: In alignment with DP Values and Behaviors, demonstrated record of leading cross-organizational technical teams to ensure high-quality products and/or services are delivered within budget and on schedule. Demonstrated ability to positively influence stakeholders to achieve desired results through joint accountability.

Technical Knowledge: A strong record of engineering achievement. Demonstrated technical accomplishment being part of a team or leading a team in developing and producing precision, high-consequence products coupled with a strong understanding of the underlying materials, processes, manufacturing and inspection methods and quality considerations to uphold development and production of reliable and predictable components. Demonstrated ability to implement engineered solutions in a disciplined, orderly approach. Must have knowledge and experience in the development, qualification, and production processes for weapon components. Ability to effectively distill engineering problem statements into workable solutions.

Planning: Experience planning and defining project scope through collaboration with Design Agencies, subject matter experts (SMEs) and project managers. Working knowledge and experience in supporting tactical and strategic planning. Scheduling: Experience coordinating multiple engineering activities across multiple programs, effectively balancing resources, and priorities.

Communication and Teamwork: Strong interpersonal, presentation, and written skills; demonstrated by effective briefings, and presentations. Demonstrated ability to convey clear, unambiguous directions to engineering personnel. Demonstrated experience in developing and nurturing effective working relationships with customers. Ability to collaborate effectively across the organization. Ability to adapt to ensure effective communication with all levels of an organization.

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

Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance which typically requires US citizenship.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of the United States nuclear weapons programs, designs, and engineering.
• Previous experience or knowledge of manufacturing practices and process, such as, conduct of engineering and conduct of operations.
• Experience with weapon life cycle including surveillance.
• Experience in authoring standard operating instructions, work instructions or quality instructions.
• Proficient knowledge of Defense Programs Business System requirements.
• MRP/ERP software such as Solumina, SOMS, SAP
• Quality systems such as MQS, NCR
• Configuration control systems such as PDMLink, EALink
• CAD systems such as CREO and / or SolidWorks
• Proficient in GD&T per ANSI/ASME Y14.5
• Material Handling: Knowledge as a High Explosive (HE) Handler and/or familiarity with DOE standards for High Explosives safety (DOE-STD-1212)
• A Master of Science degree in an engineering discipline is preferred.
• Active Q Clearance

Nature of Work

Demonstrated experience providing effective engineering direction in a nuclear weapon complex component manufacturing environment for development, qualification, and WR (War Reserve) products. Familiarity with PRTs, PRT structure, Product development cycle and processes. Familiarity and/or experience with DOE National Security Enterprise sites and business practices. Familiarity with DOE classification directives and management of security assets. Familiarity with concepts of DOE Conduct of Operations directives, experience working in DOE high explosives or nuclear facility settings.

Program requirements

Demonstrated experience with the Defense Programs Business Process System requirements, including the nuclear weapon product realization process. Familiarity with NNSA Weapon Quality Policy NAP 401.1A or similar quality standards is highly desired.

Note to Applicants

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.

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.

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

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.

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 applicable 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.