Radiation Protection Functional Area Manager

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Livermore (CA); Hybrid; USD 282,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Relocation assistance

Education reimbursement program

401(k)

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is seeking a Radiation Protection Functional Area Manager to lead the RPFA and drive strategic planning, technical oversight, and program execution with senior management. The role requires deep knowledge of DOE regulations and a proven ability to manage a large team across multiple disciplines.

The position offers a hybrid work arrangement with some in‑person collaboration and remote work options after probation.

Qualifications

• Experience leading and/or managing a Radiation Protection program and strategic planning in a large organization.
• Expert knowledge of DOE radiation protection regulations and related standards.
• Strong customer relationship skills and ability to influence leadership.
• Ability to build data-driven performance measures for program health.
• Experience with performance management, salary management, and career development.

Responsibilities

• Lead RPFA and provide strategic direction and oversight of radiation protection programs.
• Manage staffing, budgets, and performance, including hiring and succession planning.
• Engage with DOE and regulatory bodies and internal safety teams.
• Collaborate across teams to align mission priorities with protections programs.
• Develop metrics to reflect RPFA performance and health.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Regulatory interpretation

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in health physics, physics, nuclear engineering, physical science, or related field

Advanced Degree in Health Physics or related field

Job description

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World! 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.

Job Description

We have an opening for the Radiation Protection Functional Area Manager (RPFAM). In this role, you will provide day-to-day management and leadership of the organizations, disciplines, and personnel within the RPFA. Additionally, you will be counted on for strategic vision and technical oversight to meet the goals and objectives of RPFA customers and stakeholders. You will be a key member of the Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) Directorate management team, ensuring that radiation protection practices at the Laboratory are effective, efficient, and compliant in order to enable the safe execution of work involving radioactive materials. This position is in the ESH Directorate within the Operations & Business Principal Associate Directorate.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in‑person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home 1 day per week, after a probationary period.

You will

• Serve as an integral member of the Engineered Safety Department management team to formulate and execute high-level goal setting and strategic planning and serve as a key advisor to Laboratory senior management on broad issues of radiation protection.
• Provide overall leadership, direction, technical oversight, and personnel administration to the RPFA while managing the delivery of innovative, cost-effective, schedule-driven, compliant, and reliable Radiation Protection program. RPFA’s radiation protection program provides health physicists to field support teams, internal and external dosimetry laboratories, and environmental radiation monitoring programs in various departments.
• Engage and partner with the ESH Integrated Safety Teams to ensure mission-specific priorities and concerns are considered in the development and implementation of radiation protection policies and procedures. Establish agreements with the Integrated Safety Team Leads for the management of personnel performance and career development of matrixed RPFA personnel.
• Engage RPFA customers and stakeholders from a strategic level, to ensure comprehensive integration and teaming to operate with shared fate and as a valued and trusted partner, enabling successful mission execution and enhancing safety performance.
• Provide expert level understanding of RPFA regulations in the Prime contract to effectively liaison with the Department of Energy (DOE) Livermore Field Office on regulatory interpretation and to resolve highly unusual, complex and/or sensitive technical issues. Interface with external agencies such as the DOE Headquarters and the Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board on radiation protection issues and matters.
• Develop and maintain meaningful, data driven performance measures for the RPFA that inform Laboratory decision makers and accurately reflect the health of RPFA at the Laboratory.
• Oversee the RPFA’s performance management, salary management, and manage hiring and recruiting activities, including career development of employees and organizational succession management. Maintain a commitment to attract high-quality staff, and to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.
• Collaborate with and benchmark against other DOE sites to share practices and continuously improve.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s Degree in health physics, physics, nuclear engineering, physical science, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and extensive related experience.
• Significant experience leading and/or managing a Radiation Protection program and involved strategies at a large company or national laboratory, including significant experience with strategic planning, workforce planning, managing budgets, organizational dynamics, and establishing strategic and operational goals.
• Expert level knowledge of, and extensive experience interpreting and evaluating DOE radiation protection regulations, policies, procedures, and practices including 10 CFR 835, Occupational Radiation Protection; DOE Standard 1098-2008, Radiological Control; DOE Order 420.2C, Safety of Accelerator Facilities; DOE Order 231.1B, ES&H Reporting to DOE; and/or DOE Order 232.2, Occurrence Reporting and Processing of Operations Information, demonstrated ability to determine their applicability and impact on operations, and experience evaluating and proposing solutions for issues related to implementation.
• Extensive experience building strong working relationships and trust with a demanding customer base, leading staff in achieving high standards of customer service, and a personal commitment to a customer service ethos.
• Expert situational awareness, problem solving, decision making, and analytical skills necessary to independently advise, recommend, and resolve highly complex problems impacting a large organization.
• Significant experience in performance management and supervision of organizational staff and managers, including performance issues, career development, annual performance appraisals, and salary management with the ability to motivate and inspire a diverse group of personnel.
• Expert communication, facilitation, collaboration, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills necessary to effectively explain, direct, present, advise, negotiate, and influence all levels of management, both internal and external to the Laboratory.

Qualifications We Desire

• Advanced Degree in Health Physics, physical science, engineering, or related field.
• Certification as Health Physics Professional.
• Experience with drafting and submitting proposals and leveraging opportunities to engage in innovative research and development supporting improvement in organizational capability and technical excellence and/or collaborating with university partners in attracting and developing future candidates for LLNL career opportunities within the RPFA and ESH Directorate.

Pay Range

$282,210 - $359,700 Annually - This is the lowest to highest salary range in good faith we believe would pay for this role at the time of this posting. 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 a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• 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)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. 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 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.