XTD Nuclear Threat Assessment Group Leader (R&D Manager 4)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM seeks an R&D Manager 4 to lead the XTD-NTA team within the Nuclear Threat Assessment Group. You will guide strategic efforts, integrate national security priorities, and mentor researchers in cutting-edge weapon physics and simulations.

The role emphasizes collaboration, communication, and a track record of delivering technically rigorous solutions under tight timelines. A senior, mission-focused leader is required.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in nuclear-weapon physics and design.
• Experience in stockpile-related programs and weapons science publications.
• Proven leadership in managing technical teams and delivering results.

Responsibilities

• Lead the XTD-NTA group with strategic direction and personnel development.
• Collaborate with stakeholders inside and outside LANL to meet national security goals.
• Ensure quality and timely delivery of technical challenges and initiatives.

Skills

Nuclear physics

Stockpile stewardship

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

PhD in physics/engineering

Job description

What You Will Do

X Theoretical Design (XTD) Division seeks an enthusiastic and motivated R&D Manager to join our leadership team. Our Nuclear Threat Assessment Group, XTD-NTA, maintains and stewards a broad set of nuclear-weapon physics, design, and weapon output capabilities with a view towards global security and threat assessment applications. The group is responsible for providing intellectual leadership in developing innovative and time-sensitive solutions to national security requirements, and for playing a leadership role in the integration of global security (GS) and threat assessment applications throughout the X Theoretical Design (XTD) division. The R&D Manager 4 in XTD-NTA will work closely with the rest of the division management team, maintain and develop working relationships with stakeholders inside and outside of the Laboratory, and pay close attention to the development of the personnel within the group.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

Technical Knowledge

• Demonstrated technical expertise and deep experience in the mission and focus areas of nuclear-weapon physics and design.
• Demonstrated experience in direct stockpile-related programs.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge and record of achievement in weapons science as evidenced by technical publications, programmatic contributions, and recognition within the scientific community.

Leadership and Management

• Broad understanding of the goals of XTD activities and their relationship to an integrated Laboratory stockpile stewardship program.
• Demonstrated leadership skills (vision, strategic thinking, creativity, innovation, institutional perspective, team building, decisiveness and integrity).
• Demonstrated commitment to quality and timeliness of deliverables.
• Demonstrated management skills in the execution of technical challenges, as well as the ability to motivate others to identify and successfully address technical challenges.

Collaboration and Communication

• Demonstrated commitment to technical and scientific excellence.
• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to assimilate, evaluate, and communicate technical information.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including the ability to work well with others at all levels, work cooperatively in a team environment and build consensus, and expeditiously and professionally resolve conflict.

Safety and Security

• Demonstrated commitment to Lab goals in the areas of security, safety, work force diversity, and employee development.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, Sigma 15, and Sigma 20 authorization
• Ability to obtain access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)

Education/Experience

Position requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 8 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. A PhD in physics, engineering, applied mathematics or related discipline is strongly preferred.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in nuclear physics, particle physics, neutral or charged-particle transport, fluid dynamics, shock physics, high explosives, equations of state, materials science, plasma physics, or other closely related discipline
• Experience with large-scale simulation of complex physical processes
• Experience in designing, analyzing, coordinating and/or conducting experimental activities

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

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.

• This position requires a Q clearance and the ability to obtain Sigma 15 authorization. Applicants must have the ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance, which normally requires US citizenship.
• For full consideration, applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter that address how they meet the minimum job requirements, and any of the desired requirements of the position.

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 maternity and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, 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.

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.