Project Controls Department Head

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 188,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is seeking a Project Controls Department Head in the Engineering division to guide strategy and advise the Division Director on capabilities and tools for LBNL-led projects as well as partner projects. The role also oversees the department budget and provides expert planning and controls leadership across large, high-risk programs.

In the direct leadership function, you will mentor staff, set performance expectations, and ensure effective planning,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/advanced degree in a related field with 12+ years planning and controls experience.
• Supervisory experience is required and demonstrated in complex projects.
• Strong written and oral communication for management-level interactions.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise the Project Planning and Controls Department staff.
• Lead talent management, performance development, and workload balancing.
• Provide project planning and controls expertise to PDs/PMs/PIs for large projects.
• Collaborate to develop tools and approaches for LBNL project management.
• Oversee department budget and strategy, ensuring DOE requirements are met.

Skills

Supervisory experience

DOE project management requirements

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor's/advanced degree in a related field

Tools

EVMS certification

PMP certification

Job description

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Project Controls Department Head within the Engineering division. The Department Head (DH) for Project Controls (PC) fulfills a dual function. In the DH function, the incumbent develops the overall department strategy and advises the Division Director on current and future capabilities and tools for LBNL-led projects and externally led partner projects and is responsible for the department budget. In the direct PC leadership function, the incumbent provides project planning and controls expertise and professional project management guidance to Project Directors (PDs), Project Managers (PMs), and Principal Investigators (PIs) in the Project & Infrastructure Modernization Division for large, complex projects involving moderate to high risk.

We're here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Key responsibilities

• Manage, lead, and supervise the Project Planning and Controls Department staff.
• Responsible for talent selection, management, performance, career development, succession planning, and workload leveling of staff.
• Provide PC support for Projects across the LBNL organization including construction projects.
• Collaborates with the Deputy of Operations to develop and maintain tools for the EG division to manage and project EG technical staffing needs and deployments.
• Responsible for the department budget Division and Department Strategy.
• Identify best practices, tools, and approaches across the DOE complex and from the Project Management Institute (PMI) to ensure efficient and effective application of PP&C expertise to LBNL scientific projects.
• Provide strategic leadership to the Engineering Division and make recommendations regarding PC capabilities for LBNL.
• Provide PC support for projects across the LBNL organization, including construction projects.
• Formulate and apply extensive knowledge of project planning, budgeting, scheduling, and software applications to LBNL PP&C practice. Determine LBNL tools and approaches for PP&C.
• Lead or participate in project management/controls networks, working groups, and external reviews.
• Maintain strong collaboration with LBNL PMO, Scientific Project Managers and stakeholders to achieve objectives of the current scientific project portfolio and anticipate future changes in demand, rigor, and consequence.
• Appoint Earned Value Surveillance Officer(s), providing institutional strategic and tactical advice to the LBNL Project Management Office (PMO).
• Partner with other institutional stakeholders, including the PMO and OCFO, to ensure certification eligibility and status.
• In collaboration with the LBNL PMO, DOE, and Engineering Management, modify and develop LBNL policies, practices, standards, system descriptions, software applications, and protocols to achieve scientific project objectives and ensure DOE requirements are met.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's/advanced degree in a related field and at least 12 years education and/or applied experience in the planning and control of moderate to large projects subject to DOE project management order(s).
• Supervisory experience required.
• Demonstrated experience in representing project status, reporting, controls, and execution status to independent evaluation or review boards.
• Recognized as a subject matter expert in project planning and controls management within LBNL and across the DOE Complex.
• Knowledge of DOE and LBNL project management requirements, including DOE Order 413.3c and EVMS techniques.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to interact effectively at the management level within the organization and with other research institutions and external agencies; proven ability to interact effectively with personnel at all levels throughout the organization; effective consensus-building and negotiation skills.
• Exceptional planning and organizing skills and ability to develop solutions to complex problems; sound judgment and ability to take decisive action without all desired information.
• Demonstrated professional expertise to prepare for and respond to detailed and complex examinations from high-level internal and external reviews.
• Excellent strategic planning and implementation skills; proven ability to work on multiple projects with varying priorities and deadlines.

Desired skills/knowledge

• PMP certification and EVMS certification experience.

Additional information

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by October 13, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• Salary range: The expected salary for this position is $187,956.00 - $260,000.00, which fits into the full salary of $167,904.00 - $281,916.00 depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at:Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information).
• Work authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information.