W88 Warhead Manager (Project-Program Director 5)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & vision

Life insurance

Parental leave

401(k) matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules

Onsite gym

Relocation package

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) invites applications for a high‑impact leadership role as the W-4 Warhead Manager. You will oversee the W88 Nuclear Weapon System portfolio, guiding strategic priorities across the Nuclear Security Enterprise and partnering with LANL, NNSA, DoD, and other national laboratories.

This role requires strategic leadership across physics, materials, production, and program planning to ensure safety, security, and effectiveness of the nation’s deterrent.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 12 years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
• Demonstrated leadership in technical leadership, program management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and work with senior stakeholders.
• Commitment to security, safety, environmental stewardship, workforce diversity, and employee development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Desireable experience with NNSA/DoD W88 program offices and related weapon system knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Provide line and program management for the W88 Nuclear Weapon System and lead the W-4 team.
• Collaborate across LANL organizations to address complex technical and programmatic challenges.
• Represent LANL to national stakeholders including Navy SSP and POG, directing strategy and budgets.
• Develop and execute program plans, budgets, and performance metrics in support of stockpile stewardship.

Job description

What You Will Do

This position is open for both internal and external candidates to apply. Join Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in a high-impact leadership role at the forefront of national security. As the W-4 Warhead Manager, you will lead the Laboratory's W88 Nuclear Weapon System portfolio, influencing strategic priorities across the Nuclear Security Enterprise while partnering with senior leaders from LANL, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and other national laboratories. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of stockpile stewardship, lead exceptional technical talent, and drive mission-critical programs that directly support the safety, security, and effectiveness of the nation's strategic deterrent. In this role, you will provide both line and program management for the W88 Nuclear Weapon System, leading the W-4 team and collaborating across Laboratory organizations to address complex technical and programmatic challenges. You will serve as LANL's principal representative to key national stakeholders, including the Navy's Strategic Systems Programs Office and the W88/Mk5 Project Officers' Group (POG), while providing strategic leadership across physics, materials, production, technology development, surveillance, program planning, budget development, and performance execution.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Leadership

• Demonstrated success in technical leadership and program management, including program development, strategic planning, resource allocation, earned value management, technical execution, and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and achieve results in complex environments.
• Commitment to operational excellence, security, safety, environmental stewardship, workforce diversity, and employee development.
• Demonstrated capability and proven experience in technical leadership, program and line management, including success in program development, program advocacy, strategic planning, resource planning and allocation, hiring determinations, earned value reporting, technical program execution, and/or negotiation, and execution of performance evaluations and personnel management.

Teamwork

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated success building consensus and collaborating across organizations.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Actively seeks and welcomes constructive feedback, implements suggested improvements, and provides thoughtful input to colleagues while maintaining collaborative professional relationships across NSE and within LANL.

Nuclear Weapon Systems

• Record of professionally recognized accomplishments and demonstrated expertise in a major element of the nuclear weapons program
• Demonstrated successful leadership of technical projects and personnel.

Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 12 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

Nuclear Weapon Systems

• Demonstrated successful experience working with NNSA and DoD W88 program offices
• Prior experience with the W88 or other weapon system, such as production, systems, physics, or surveillance, or high-explosive behavior
• Experience with NNSA quality principles including the Integrated Product Team (IPT) process

LANL

• Knowledge of LANL financial, project controls, and procurement systems
• Ability to be designated as a Derivative Classifier (DC) for relevant areas of expertise.

Clearance

• Active DOE Q-Clearance.

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 1 year.

Note to Applicants

• Frequent travel may be required based on programmatic needs.
• Along with your resume, please include a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet each of the minimum requirements and any of the desired qualifications.

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

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.

Regular position

Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants

Regular appointment employyees 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 P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Incentive Compensation Program

Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.

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.