Science/Engineering Program Manager 1/2

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 110,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental/vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Parental leave

401(k) with matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking Science & Engineering Program Managers to join the Detonation Science & Technology Group (Q-6) in Los Alamos, NM. You will oversee multiple projects, ensuring alignment with group priorities and customer requirements, while leading technical and programmatic aspects from planning to execution.

Ideal candidates bring experience in scientific/engineering program management, strong communication, and the ability to collaborate with internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a science, engineering or related field, from an accredited institution and 2 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination.
• Experience in program management of scientific or engineering scope including defining scope, schedules, budgets, milestones, baselines, and risk management.
• Ability to develop internal relationships and interact with all levels of personnel.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills; ability to lead and resolve conflicts.

Responsibilities

• Provide program leadership for projects within an assigned portfolio.
• Develop and implement tactical plans and schedules for funding and on-time delivery.
• Manage risks and contribute to risk mitigation strategies with leadership.
• Serve as a liaison with internal stakeholders and provide regular project updates.

Skills

Program management

Communication

Negotiation

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in science or engineering

Tools

P6

Microsoft Project

Jira

Confluence

Job description

What You Will Do

The Detonation Science & Technology Group (Q-6) is seeking Science/Engineering Program Managers (PM) to join our Program Management team here at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

In this role, you will be at the forefront of advancing our nation's defense capabilities, leveraging your expertise to ensure the effectiveness of our nation's premier strategic deterrent. The Program Management team provides leadership and oversight of business and programmatic operations to ensure each team within our portfolio has the resources and support needed to meet our institutional goals.

Successful candidates will support their assigned teams through all stages of each project and serve as an important liaison between their team leads and important internal Laboratory stakeholders such as the Integrated Schedule, design, fabrication, assembly, and test execution teams. The PM may be expected to collaborate (including occasional travel) with sites across the Nuclear Security Enterprise.

The Program Management team is just one of the many teams in Q-6 applying a broad range of skills in response to emerging threats.

In Q-6, we responsively address emerging national security challenges through simultaneous technical and programmatic excellence and innovation in the development of future weapons systems with our laboratory and national defense partners. Our teams focus on effective design, development, and peer review of future weapons systems with an emphasis on improved performance, safety, and agility in support of our nation's foremost defense missions.

In Q-6, we are committed to innovation and value diverse skills and experience. We thrive on a blend of experiences, ideas, and skills, allowing us to tackle complex challenges with creative and effective solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership: Support technical and project leads for all projects in an assigned portfolio to execute complex technical and operational scope on small to mid-sized projects, ensuring alignment with group priorities and customer requirements.
• Tactical Planning: Develop and implement tactical plans and schedules to ensure stable funding for all assigned team members, and facilitate on-time, on-budget project execution.
• Risk Mitigation: Manage risks throughout assigned portfolio and participate in development of risk mitigation strategies in conjunction with project and group leadership.
• Stakeholder communication: Serve as a liaison with internal Laboratory stakeholders such as the integrated schedule team, design engineering, machining, assembly, and test execution groups. Provide regular project updates through group and program office reporting mechanisms.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

Science & Engineering Program Manager 1 ($96,600-$158,000)

• Entry-level knowledge of program management of scientific or engineering scope, including defining program work scope, schedules, budgets, priorities, and performance milestones; developing cost, scope, and schedule baselines; reporting cost and schedule variance; and managing change control and risk.
• Entry-level knowledge of the science or engineering discipline of the assigned portfolio(s).
• Ability to develop and nurture internal relationships and interact effectively with all levels of internal personnel.
• Ability to think critically to support negotiations, resolve conflict, and mitigate project risk in partnership with project, team and group leadership.
• Communication: Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills & experience.

Additional Job Requirements

Science & Engineering Program Manager 2 ($117,200-$195,400)

• Working knowledge of and experience in program management of scientific or engineering scope, including defining program work scope, schedules, budgets, priorities, and performance milestones; developing cost, scope and schedule baselines; reporting cost and schedule variance; and managing change control and risk.
• Working knowledge of the science or engineering discipline of the assigned portfolio(s).
• Ability to serve as the primary interface with one or more mid‑level or external customers to establish project/program scope, budget, deliverables, and communications plans.
• Demonstrated experience in conflict resolution and risk mitigation in a project setting.

Education/Experience at Lower Level

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in a science, engineering or related field, from an accredited institution and 2 years of directly related technical and program management experience; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at Higher Level

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in a science, engineering or related field, from an accredited institution and 5 years of directly related technical and program management experience; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Active DOE "Q" or other Top‑Secret clearance
• Formal project management training or education with the ability to obtain a Project Management Professional certification within 2 years.
• Knowledge of industry standard financial policies and principles including forecasting and scheduling programs such as P6, Microsoft Projects, Jira, Confluence.
• Experience working with Weapons Engineering and Weapons Physics organizations.
• Knowledge of nuclear weapons, NNSA facilities, or DoD customers that support the U.S. stockpile.
• Demonstrated experience with a variety of written correspondence, reports, procedures, and directives.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is preferred.

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.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation)

• Ability to speak
• Reading vision

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

• This position will be expected to travel frequently to support technical and programmatic meetings.

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 (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.

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.