Job Information
Los Alamos National Laboratory HE Strategy Office Lead (Science/Engineering Program Manager 5) in Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
This position is in ALDW-PO, the Associate Directorate for Weapons Engineering Program Integration Office, at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the incumbent will report to the Program Director and Deputy Program Director for that office. The Science and Engineering Program Manager 5 (S&E PM 5) will have primary point-of-contact responsibility for leading the High Explosives (HE) Strategy Office within ALDW-PO and managing the Laboratory's participation in the NA-193.3 High Explosives and Energetics (HE&E) program portfolio. The NNSA HE&E program is dedicated to ensuring a stable, modern, and integrated energetics enterprise sufficient to support the production and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear stockpile. The national program is directly responsible for the programmatic execution of energetics technology maturation, manufacturing methods and deployment to production sites, and infrastructure to support existing and future stockpile needs. The selected candidate will have lead responsibility for LANL participation and support to the High Explosives and Energetics (HE&E) Program Office in their effort to provide high explosive materials to meet long-term demand for stockpile production and national security requirements. NNSA has established the following strategic goals to meet the needs of the energetic mission:
Goal 1: Stabilize - stabilize existing energetics capabilities by strengthening the supply chain to improve resiliency, increasing production reliability, and accelerating the development of new energetic molecules and binders to production scale.
Goal 2: Modernize - energetics capabilities by investing in new and upgraded infrastructure, implementing advanced manufacturing techniques, and establishing standardized, scalable, and repeatable processes that enhance production efficiency and reliability.
Goal 3: Integrate - integrate, communicate, and collaborate across the energetics enterprise, with internal and external partners, ensuring a unified approach to achieving the HE&E vision.
Additionally, the selected candidate will work with ALDW-PO and other program offices at Los Alamos (Stockpile Modernization, Science Programs, Engineering Technology Maturation, etc.) to promote the development of energetic materials required by the weapons complex and their transition to a production agency. The selected candidate will also be required to participate in national level strategic initiatives and working groups pertaining to high explosives. Given the strategic importance of HE&E to the Laboratory and the broader enterprise, this role will serve as the LANL authority and contractual agent on all HE and energetics-related topics. The selected candidate will be responsible for ensuring the upcoming revitalized high explosives campus aligns with strategy and mission needs, overseeing linkage of mission needs to the Energetic Materials Characterization (EMC) project, and leading the HE&E 193.3 program portfolio-particularly considering major anticipated budget increases during the FYNSP period. The position will also carry responsibility for L2, and possibly L1 milestones for LANL.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Program Management
Expert-level knowledge of and experience in all aspects of program and/or project management of technical or operational work, including defining 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.
Communication
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with all levels internal and/or external personnel, as well as experience with building trust, gaining consensus, and resolving conflict.
Project Facilitation
A prior demonstrated ability to meet schedule and deliverables for projects with a range of priorities is expected. The capacity to work independently with minimum supervision, as well as the ability to be an effective member of a multidisciplinary team is expected.
Program Integration
Depth of experience collaborating with industry, academia, Department of War, and/or other high explosives communities within the DOE complex (preferably spanning two or more of these areas).
Technical Experience
Deep and preferably broad knowledge of existing and past NSE high explosive science and applications, with emphasis on chemistry and materials science and how these dictate properties relevant to nuclear weapons use and/or knowledge of existing and emerging manufacturing methods for PBXs used and proposed for nuclear weapon production.
Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in a science or engineering discipline, from an accredited institution and 15 years of directly related technical and project/program management experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level an advanced degree is typically expected.
Desired Qualifications :
Knowledge and experience with the overall mission to sustain and modernize high explosive infrastructure and provide high explosives to meet long-term demand for stockpile production to meet national security requirements.
Demonstrated strategy development at the laboratory and or national levels and track record of strategy implementation.
Experience with cross-organizational programmatic leadership of $25M to greater than $50M annually.
Experience in facility and/or capability development.
Expert-level knowledge of regulatory and Laboratory requirements pertinent to HE-involved scope.
Proven ability to work closely with program, project and line management to ensure performance, schedule, and progress against milestones.
Experienced interactions with Federal Program Managers/Directors and peer lab interfaces.
Ability to independently identify opportunities/challenges and resolve problems.
Proven leadership and knowledge base within the Nuclear Weapon Complex.
Demonstrated strategic collaboration and tactical partnership.
Established research and/or publication record establishing credentials as a subject matter expert in one or more aspects of high explosives science, preferably with national and/or international level professional recognition, such as awards, citations, etc...
Experience working with external and internal organizations, and individuals, to evaluate, develop, negotiate, and maintain partnerships and strategic relationships with Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration customers, other government agencies, academic institutions, and/or private industries.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or willing to obtain the PMP within the first year employed in this position.
Advanced degree from an accredited institution (e.g., MBA, Master of Science or Engineering).
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 1 year.
Note to Applicants:
For full consideration: Please submit a copy of your resume and a comprehensive cover letter that addresses each key requirements, both minimum job requirements as well as desired qualifications, of the position.
It is expected for the selected candidate to travel 1-2x/month
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/SCI (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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.