Project Leader 1/2

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 80,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Flexible relocation packages

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a dynamic Project Leader (Level 1/2) to oversee the LIP-EI portfolio, reporting to program partners and coordinating with engineers and managers. Responsibilities include gathering data, editing weekly reports, and building robust reporting frameworks to provide leadership with clear insights into program performance.

The role requires effective communication and safety-conscious leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and 2 years of directly related experience.
• For Level 2, 5 years of directly related experience.
• Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance, which usually requires US citizenship.
• Experience with Microsoft Word Suite Programs and Microsoft Teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversee project management reporting for multiple projects within the LIP-EI portfolio.
• Coordinate weekly with IPTs to track reporting requirements and maintain collaboration with stakeholders.
• Gather status updates from FLMs, team leads, project leads, designers and engineers.
• Ensure safety and security compliance and integrate safety into every task.
• Manage scope, schedule, and budget baselines for moderately complex construction projects.

Skills

Project management concepts

Microsoft Word & Teams

Education

Bachelor's degree

2 years related experience

5 years related experience (Level 2)

Job description

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Project Leader 1/2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

The Line-Item Projects - Early Installs (LIP-EI) organization is seeking a dynamic, highly organized Project Leader (PL). LIP-EI is a subproject of the Los Alamos Plutonium Pit Production Project (LAP4), with a portfolio that includes the LAP4 30 Base subproject. The organization provides critical equipment and infrastructure to support the enduring pit production mission at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).

LIP-EI is responsible for the design, procurement, installation, and turnover of gloveboxes and equipment that support LANL's effort to establish a sustainable capability to produce 30 pits per year (PPY). Capabilities will be expanded in phases to meet NNSA's plutonium program mission requirements, in coordination with program partners and other construction efforts within the facilities.

Project Leader 1 ($80,400-$127,900)

The Project Leader will provide leadership and oversee project management reporting for multiple projects within the LIP-EI portfolio. The PL will serve as the primary interface among program partners such as, first line managers (FLMs), Cost Account Managers (CAMs), team leads, projects leads and engineers. Responsibilities include gathering, synthesizing, editing, and tracking information; coordinating the publication of multiple weekly reports; and developing robust reporting frameworks that provide leadership with clear insights into program performance.

The role requires building trust and consensus across diverse stakeholders, coordinating efforts to meet deadlines, and maintaining proactive, solutions-oriented communication to ensure alignment between technical teams and customers.

Project Leader 2 ($96,600-$158,000)

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level this position is expected to offer greater ownership and leadership in key projects within the LIP-EI group. At this level, you will work closely with senior management on projects that support the LIP-EI portfolio of projects.

Key responsibilities:

• Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees. Assures safety and security compliance, maintains required safety and security training, and makes safety and security an integral part of every task, including taking the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or compromises security.
• Manages all aspects of moderately complex construction projects and is responsible for successful completion of the project(s) within the approved scope, schedule, and budget baseline.
• Ensure compliance with safety and security requirements, maintain required training, and integrate safety and security into every task, including stopping work when conditions are unsafe or compromise security.
• Understand and adhere to Laboratory and regulatory requirements, guidance, and governance applicable to project work.
• Promote a respectful, inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment.
• Gather project status updates across LIP-EI from first-line managers (FLMs), team leads, project leads, designers, and engineers.
• Serve as an effective liaison between LIP-EI personnel and stakeholders regarding project scope, schedule, and resources.
• Participate in weekly Integrated Project Team (IPT) and integrated schedule meetings.
• Coordinate weekly with IPTs to track and communicate reporting requirements, keep staff informed, and maintain strong working relationships.
• Track new reporting requests and coordinate with FLMs to obtain timely updates while scheduling and managing the compilation, editing, distribution, and archiving of multiple weekly reports.
• Support internal and external reporting assessments.
• Support the development and coordination of project communications across LIP-EI.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Technical Skills

• Ability to understand and communicate technical project management concepts related to LIP-EI project scope.
• Experienced in using Microsoft Word Suite Programs, and Microsoft Teams.

Collaboration

• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills, e.g. formal / informal publications and reports.
• Ability to report status and proactively inform stakeholders of any issues.
• Ability to develop and nurture effective internal customer relationships.
• Ability to successfully plan, organize, lead, and monitor team efforts to completion.
• Ability to interact effectively with all levels of personnel; building trust, gaining consensus, and resolving conflicts.

Process Improvements

• Demonstrated ability to identify, design, and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, consistency, and program outcomes for internal employees, customers and leaders.

Clearance

• Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance, which usually requires US citizenship.

Additional Job Requirements for Project Leader 2

In addition to the minimum job requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• Formal project or program management training or certification (e.g., PMP) and/or plan to obtain certification (e.g., PMP) within two years.
• Demonstrated initiative in identifying and implementing business process improvements.
• Knowledge of project management work, including developing project plans, work breakdown structures, and work packages; managing scope, schedule, budget, and baselines; and documenting baseline reports and changing control actions.
• Knowledge of the discipline of the assigned project.
• Knowledge of regulatory and Laboratory requirements related to the assigned project.
• Ability to identify discrepancies and produce accurate, complete, and consistent work.
• Ability to convey expectations, deadlines, status, and required actions clearly and concisely.
• Ability to meet commitments, anticipate delays, and communicate constraints early.

Education/Experience:

Position (Level 1) requires a bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution and 2 years of directly related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience: Higher position (Level 2) requires a bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution and 5 years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Project planning and scheduling: Experience developing work plans, milestones, dependencies, and schedules using project management tools.
• Action and deliverable tracking: Proficiency maintaining trackers that document responsible parties, due dates, follow-up activities, and overdue items.
• Data analysis and reporting: Proficiency using Microsoft Excel to organize, validate, and analyze data and prepare accurate status reports.
• Document preparation and control: Experience compiling, editing, managing revisions, distributing, and archiving project documents and reports.
• Collaboration and workflow tools: Proficiency using Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, or comparable tools to coordinate input, manage shared information, and establish reminders and follow-up workflows.
• Project management discipline: Ability to apply structured planning, execution, monitoring, and control practices to achieve project objectives.
• Strategic perspective: Ability to align priorities and resources with project and organizational goals.
• Organization and multitasking: Ability to coordinate multiple assignments, reporting requirements, and competing priorities.
• Persistent, professional follow-up: Ability to obtain timely responses through clear requests, consistent follow-up, and appropriate escalation when needed.
• Stakeholder coordination: Ability to build productive relationships and secure input from individuals across teams and organizational levels.
• Problem-solving and adaptability: Ability to assess risks, resolve issues, and adjust priorities as project needs change.
• Accountability and sound judgment: Ability to take ownership of assignments, track commitments through completion, and recognize when management support is needed.

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.

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

• 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

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 Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

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.