Principal Associate Director (PAD) for Computing

Association for Computing Machinery (MY); Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 521,580 - 669,864; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Benefits Package

401(k)

Relocation Assistance

Education Reimbursement Program

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

A national laboratory in Livermore, California, is seeking a Principal Associate Director for Computing. This role involves managing a large computing workforce, shaping strategic vision, and requiring a Ph.D. and extensive experience in advanced computing and R&D. The position offers hybrid work flexibility. Key responsibilities include workforce management, budget oversight, and collaborations on multidisciplinary initiatives. The pay range is between $521,580 and $669,864, based on various factors.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q/SCI-level security clearance.
• Extensive senior-level experience in R&D organizations.
• Experience managing scientific programs and personnel.
• Exceptional communication skills for technical and programmatic activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advance computing strategies with SLT.
• Oversee the computing directorate budget.
• Manage recruitment and development of scientific staff.
• Collaborate on initiatives for future programmatic needs.

Skills

Leadership in large-scale R&D

Expertise in advanced computing

Communication skills

Workforce management

AI and data science knowledge

Budget management

Education

Ph.D. in a computing or related discipline

Job description

Principal Associate Director (PAD) for Computing

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world‑changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas: nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi‑domain defense, empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow.

In this key leadership position, you report to the Laboratory Director and are a member of the Laboratory's Senior Leadership Team (SLT). You are responsible for managing the lab's computing workforce (currently around 1400 employees) and for enhancing the intellectual vibrancy of computing as well as related disciplines and capabilities at the lab. Together with other lab leaders and stakeholders, you will help shape the Laboratory's strategic vision and develop and articulate a strategy for the Principal Directorate in support of the institution. You will manage discretionary R&D resources and sustain relationships with government agencies that fund computing R&D.

LLNL is one of the nation's premier institutions in advanced computing and currently home to the world's fastest computer, El Capitan. Work conducted by Computing personnel supports a broad spectrum of programs across missions, scientific research, and operations and includes information technology, data science, computational mathematics, artificial intelligence, software engineering, high performance computing and more.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in‑person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

You Will

• Partner with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to create and advance strategies to achieve institutional goals.
• Develop and implement strategies for the sustainment and advancement of the computing discipline and capabilities.
• Maintain close partnerships with key stakeholders in government, academia and industry including DOE/NNSA.
• Work with lab leadership to address technical and workforce challenges and opportunities in computing with a particular emphasis on AI, data science, and emerging or next‑generation capabilities.
• Collaborate with the SLT on long‑term, multidisciplinary initiatives in support of the lab's future programmatic needs.
• Oversee the Computing directorate budget consistent with Laboratory and DOE fiscal policies and practices.
• Manage Directorate personnel, ensuring an effective system for recruiting, hiring, managing and developing a high‑quality scientific staff.
• Provide oversight and personal commitment to safety, security, environmental stewardship, good business practices, compliance, and equal opportunity.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q/SCI‑level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Ph.D. in a computing or related discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Extensive senior‑level experience leading a large‑scale, mission‑oriented research and development organization.
• Expertise and national visibility in areas of advanced computing and its applications.
• Broad knowledge of the DOE/NNSA Laboratory enterprise.
• Demonstrated success in managing scientific programs, projects, or organizations and promoting creative contributions to solving complex scientific problems.
• Experience leading and managing a large complex technical organization, including hiring processes, workforce development, resource management, and strategic planning.
• Ability to manage technical priorities and balance the need to deliver program milestones while maintaining world‑class capabilities in computing.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills necessary to explain, present, direct, negotiate, influence and coordinate technical or programmatic activities.
• Extensive experience in effectively balancing complex technical, budgetary, and personnel priorities to achieve desired results.
• Experience ensuring that standards of safety, security, environmental stewardship, and quality assurance are established and appropriately followed.

Qualifications We Desire

• Broad knowledge of national security policy issues.
• Established contacts with the relevant academic, national laboratory, industry, and government communities.

Pay Range

$521,580 - $669,864

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Position Information

This is an At Will, Career Indefinite position, open to Laboratory employees and external candidates. This key personnel position requires a commitment from you to serve at least two years in this position.

Benefits

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (depending on project needs)

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q‑level clearance. Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q‑level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre‑Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post‑offer, pre‑employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices. If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non‑employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.