Kinetic Technologies Group Leader - Active Security Clearance Required

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$182,310 - $277,344 Annually

$182,310 - $231,180 Annually for the SEL.3 level

$218,700 - $277,344 Annually for the SEL.4 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Job Description

We have an opening for one Kinetic Technologies Group Leader with responsibilities for leading teams of engineers and supporting personnel working on conventional weapon and high-speed kinetics projects within the Weapon Technologies and Engineering (WTE), Weapons Physics Design (WPD) and Global Security programs. The Kinetic Technologies Groups design, certify, and transition to industry warheads and other hardware for advanced conventional weapon systems; develop and execute innovative high-speed experiments with advanced diagnostics to study high-speed kinetic effects; and research enabling materials and other advanced capabilities. As a line supervisor, your responsibilities will complement your assigned programmatic activities. You will work with program leadership to identify current engineering capability gaps within the Kinetic Technologies organization and develop a broad range of technical staff to meet these needs. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), within the Engineering Directorate.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Provide leadership, supervision, and technical, strategic, and administrative direction, guidance, and support in accomplishing project/program goals and objectives to a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers;
• Collaborate with Project Leaders to identify workforce needs, lead, carry out, and/or coordinate recruiting, hiring, training, career development, and performance and salary management activities as needed to meet programmatic staffing, employee development, and performance related needs, including providing career counseling, mentoring, and coaching, and monitoring employee performance goals and conducting annual employee performance reviews;
• Ensure team compliance with all safety and operational standards, while also making certain that safety related Laboratory and Directorate policies are understood, applied, and followed;
• Guide workload planning for multiple projects among group members, assigning work, remaining aware of complex technical goals, problems, and solutions, and tracking progress of project schedule and milestones to ensure desired results and deadlines are met;
• Exercise advanced level skills in the application and development of engineering best practices, and/or business principles, and theories, concepts, and techniques for the development of hardware subject to extreme environments with significant safety implications;
• Lead team in conducting thoughtful and comprehensive reviews of complex engineering designs, providing expert technical analysis and recommendations for design optimization, and applying advanced knowledge and using innovative methods/technology where applicable;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SEL.4 level

• Serve as subject matter expert in kinetic applications for the program at meetings, briefings, design reviews, and committee activities both internal and external to the Laboratory;
• Use creativity and innovation to lead the application and development of principles, theories, and concepts related to kinetic effects and conventional warheads;
• Pilot change by developing new projects or programs, modifying approaches, and/or redefining customer requirements to impact operations or directions;
• Act as primary technical contact and work across stakeholder groups to identify and implement process improvements to enable more effective and efficient reviews, and to make recommendations and provide strategic technical advice to management and external customers;
• Mentor staff across the organization, including other mentors.

Qualifications

• This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire;
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience;
• Advanced knowledge of, significant experience with, and detailed understanding of either conventional weapons and warheads and/or high-speed experimental techniques, in relevant regulatory requirements;
• Advanced level problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and implement effective solutions for complex technical challenges;
• Significant leadership experience and demonstrated ability to successfully lead work in a technical or scientific environment with career staff from different disciplines;
• Advanced communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, as well as promote and maintain productive relationships across programs and directorates;
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely and accurate completion of reviews and assessments.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.4 level

• Expert knowledge of, and extensive experience in utilizing, systems engineering principles and tools for program execution;
• Extensive experience in the leadership of personnel for technical projects, including project planning and execution, establishing staffing pipelines, and providing technical mentorship across a broad range of activities;
• Expert communication, facilitation, interpersonal, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, influence, and advise senior management, external sponsors, and/or key stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master's degree in Engineering or related field;
• Broad knowledge of Laboratory policies and practices;

Knowledgeable in one or more of the following areas: conventional warheads, weapon delivery systems, high explosives, conventional weapons lethality, collateral damage, high speed experimental techniques, diagnostic techniques relevant to conventional weapons.

Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!;
• Flexible Benefits Package;
• 401(k);
• Relocation Assistance;
• Education Reimbursement Program;
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs);
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values.

Security Clearance

This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

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