Weapons Product Definition Deputy Group Leader (R&D Manager 3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & vision insurance

Relocation assistance

401(k) with matching benefits

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a Deputy Group Leader (DGL) for the Weapons Product Definition (E‑11) Group. You will co‑develop the group’s strategic vision, oversee budgets and staffing plans, and guide technical staff to meet stockpile and campaign objectives.

You’ll mentor personnel and manage hiring, work assignments, and performance feedback. As DGL, you’ll interface with system engineers, physicists, technicians, and designers, ensuring effective collaboration across programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 5 years related experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience leading technical projects and mentoring staff.
• Strong collaboration and communication across programs and levels.
• Familiarity with mechanical design, CAD, and product definition lifecycle.
• Knowledge of design reviews and engineering authorization processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor staff, oversee hiring and onboarding processes.
• Develop budgets and staffing plans; align with group strategy.
• Co‑lead vision and strategy with Group Leader for timely solutions.
• Interface with engineers, physicists, technicians, and designers.
• Oversee stockpile and campaign objectives with technical staff.

Skills

Leadership

Project leadership

Communication skills

Mentoring

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree + 5 years experience

Tools

Creo Parametric

Windchill PDM Link

Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T)

Job description

What You Will Do

Join our Team! The Weapons Product Definition (E-11) Group is seeking a Deputy Group Leader (DGL) to partner with the Group Leader in overseeing the group's technical, business, and operational activities. As the DGL, you will work as an integral part of the E-11 Group Office to develop budgets, staffing plans, and execute the strategic vision of the group. This may include creating project plans, monitoring milestones, and guiding technical staff to ensure stockpile and campaign objectives are met. You will partner with the Group Leader to lead and mentor employees, jointly overseeing all facets of the employee experience, including hiring and onboarding, work assignment, performance feedback, employee development, and meaningful recognition. You will interface with multidisciplinary teams consisting of system engineers, physicists, technicians, and designers, and across numerous programs. This requires technical awareness of core functions within the group to include hardware design, fabrication, and engineering practices. This position will require half-time funding on programmatic codes, and you will be expected to conduct technical or research activities which are in alignment with the capabilities and priority of the group.

The E-11 group provides product definition, including mechanical design engineering and computer-aided design and drafting support, to active stockpile weapons systems, hydrodynamic tests, sub-critical experiments and related qualification efforts. In cooperation with the Group Leader, the DGL will co-develop and co-lead a vision and strategy for the future for the group, ensuring the timely and successful delivery of solutions.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

Leadership

Demonstrated success leading technical projects and/or personnel. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience leading, fostering collaboration, exhibiting sound decision making and problem solving, and mentoring and developing team members. Demonstrated success in teamwork and consensus building, empowering individuals and teams to execute work scope, and the ability to collaborate broadly across program and organizational lines.

Technical Design Skills

Demonstrated knowledge in one of the group's mission areas to include: mechanical design and engineering, computer-aided design, and product definition and configuration management. Experience using design definition product life-cycle software.

Mentoring & Training Experience

Experience training and mentoring staff on technical matters related to mechanical design.

Collaboration and Communication

Experience developing collaborations, promoting teamwork, building consensus, and communicating effectively with staff and stakeholders. Strong interpersonal skills when working with staff and customers. Excellent oral and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to interact effectively with all levels of Laboratory personnel, leadership, and customers.

Education/Experience

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

Desired Qualifications

• Experience using Creo Parametric CAD Software for 3D designs
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T) and related standards.
• Experience in checking drawings and 3D models (i.e. red-lining, performing a design review beyond peer-reviewing)
• Experience using Windchill PDM Link
• Experience with model-based design engineering and/or any NNSA model-based system engineering efforts
• Comprehensive knowledge of nuclear weapon product definition and design
• Experience with engineering authorization processes and tools
• Experience motivating staff and creating a collaborative and positive work culture
• Active 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 2 years.

Note to Applicants

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 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 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.