Intelligence & Space Research Deputy Division Leader (R&D Manager 5)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a Deputy Division Leader in the Intelligence & Space Research Division to guide strategic direction and oversee operations for a large, dynamic team working on space- and ground-based measurement systems. You will lead interdisciplinary engineers, technicians, and scientists, and drive collaboration with national labs, government agencies, academia, and industry.

The role emphasizes safety, mentorship, risk management, and delivering mission-critical

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 12+ years related experience; or equivalent.
• Proven leadership of diverse, high‑skill teams in a complex technical setting.
• Experience in managing fiscal, human, and material resources.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement across organizations.
• Mentor and develop staff through coaching and feedback.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction and operational oversight for ISR Division.
• Inspire and manage cross‑disciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and scientists.
• Develop and sustain collaborative partnerships with national labs, government, academia, and industry.
• Identify and mitigate complex technical and programmatic risks.
• Uphold safety, security, and administrative policies across the group.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Strategic planning

Communication

Team building

Safety & Security

Technical knowledge

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree + 12 years experience

Job description

What You Will Do

Reporting to the Intelligence & Space Research (ISR) Division Leader, the Deputy Division Leader (DDL) will play an important role on the ISR leadership team providing strategic direction and operational oversight for our large dynamic organization. ISR Division designs, builds, delivers, and exploits innovative ground- and space-based measurement systems and provides unique analysis and interpretation of data from these systems. We succeed through cohesive, interdisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and scientists working within a highly creative and dynamic R&D environment. Our deployed systems, and interpretation of their data into useful information, are crucial for international nuclear treaty verification, nuclear nonproliferation, space domain awareness, and remote sensing. We also develop and lead scientific experiments on NASA missions and support programs across global security and defense programs. Space is an increasingly important arena for scientific discovery and national security. ISR Division develops and maintains a strong mix of basic and applied science and engineering, from concept creation through development, production, and deployment. Its core capabilities include understanding signature propagation from source to sensor; deployment of cutting-edge sensors and processors in space, air, and on the ground; engineering of systems for extreme environments; understanding and predicting the natural and disrupted space environment and its effects on measurement systems; and applied data sciences that translate measurements into knowledge. The primary sponsors and customers for our work include the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Defense, NASA, and the Intelligence Community.

Deputy Division Leader key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Stewarding enduring capabilities that enable successful mission execution, including science and engineering capabilities, such as space physics and electrical engineering.
• Fostering a healthy, safe, and secure working environment that reinforces a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Growing, sustaining and motivating a specialized, highly capable workforce, through continuous intellectual challenge, learning and professional development opportunities.
• Inspiring and leading the team to successfully deliver critical measurement systems and information products, while positioning it to address evolving scientific and national security challenges.
• Developing and sustaining collaborative partnerships with peers across the Laboratory, other National Laboratories, government agencies, academia, and industry.
• Understanding and helping manage a complex technical, programmatic, and organizational risk landscape. This includes development and implementation of tactical and strategic goals, as well as program development in close collaboration with the Laboratory's Program Offices.
• Engaging as a key part of ISR Division's leadership team to foster a respectful, professional, and fair work culture.
• Ensuring all applicable safety, security and administrative policies and procedures are effectively implemented.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Leadership

Proven ability (e.g., through management, program, or project leadership experience) to lead a workforce with diverse skillsets and expertise through a complex technical risk landscape, including handling competing or conflicting priorities and navigating highly constrained funding and schedule environments. Ability to foster a creative, entrepreneurial work environment in which innovation and continuous learning are essential for solving difficult, exciting challenges in science and national security. Demonstrated ability to develop or mature an organizational strategy, and to successfully engage and lead a workforce through its implementation.

Management

Demonstrated record of successful management of an R&D enterprise or organizational group, providing scientific, technical, and operational expertise and line management. Experience in management of fiscal, human, and material resources; effective conflict resolution; performance and salary management; coordinating with other organizations to achieve common objectives; recruitment and retention of a specialized workforce; and organization of workflow in a complex technical environment.

Workforce Development

Demonstrated ability to cultivate a positive and collaborative work culture that provides meaningful opportunities and challenges for technical and support staff and advance the knowledge and skills of individuals and teams. Demonstrated experience and skill as a mentor and coach.

Communication

Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills to drive alignment, engagement and progress across the organization. Ability to engage with a wide variety of technical and non-technical audiences through effective presentations and conversations. Actively listen to understand diverse perspectives, foster open and transparent dialogue, and encourage information sharing, idea generation and continuous improvement.

Teaming

Proven ability to work and interact effectively in a dynamic team environment; to build and lead cross-organizational collaborations and teams; and to bring diverse groups together to work towards common goals and objectives, and a shared purpose.

Safety and Security

Demonstrated success in improving the safety, security, environment, and health envelope of a team workplace, such as through implementing Human Performance Improvement (HPI) and/or Safe Conduct of Research (SCoR) principles.

Technical Knowledge

Demonstrated ability to lead and manage the development, deployment, and exploitation of systems for space research, space-based national security missions, or a similarly complex and rigorous domain area. Experience and expertise in at least one of ISR's core technical capability areas in space and remote-sensing science and engineering.

Commitment to a Respectful Workplace

We believe that diversity of thought, background, and experience is essential to addressing the complex scientific and global challenges we face. Our ideal candidate will embody these values and help us further strengthen a work culture where all employees feel empowered to contribute, grow, and thrive:

• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a mutually respectful workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment that attracts and retains the highest caliber of talent.
• Demonstrated commitment to an intellectual environment that promotes scientific excellence

Education/Experience: Position requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 12 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field of engineering or science, such as physics or electrical engineering.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within a stressful, high-risk environment that is typical of space-based programs that require execution within rigid cost, scope, and schedule envelopes.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of and experience in one or more of ISR Division's core capabilities or programmatic areas.
• Demonstrated experience in successful use of project controls for anticipating, identifying, and managing technical and program risk of complex projects.
• Practical knowledge of Laboratory business systems; operational and work processes; administrative practices and procedures, including HR processes and effective resolution of personnel issues; and key Laboratory points of contact.
• Demonstrated expertise in quality management and quality assurance.
• Additional training in project management, risk management, systems analysis, statistical analysis, and/or financial analysis.

Physical Requirements:

• Physical movement between buildings located primarily within a half-mile radius, which may include movement across uneven and/or inclined ground.
• Physical movement within large interior facility spaces and corridors, which may require travel up and down stairs.
• Direct interaction with hardware, equipment, and instruments in office and laboratory environments.

Work Environment:

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:

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/SCI

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 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.