Associate Program Leader for Nuclear Smuggling Detection & Deterrence

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 committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is essential to innovation and creativity for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$192,660 - $259,584 Annually for the SEL.4 level

$231,150 - $311,472 Annually for the SEL.5 level

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

Job Description

We have an opening for an Associate Program Leader to manage and execute our international nuclear forensics and nuclear detection sustainability portfolios funded by National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection & Deterrence, an element of LLNL’s Global Material Security Program. You will manage and lead a group of Principal Investigators responsible for interdisciplinary teams implementing nuclear security initiatives in the areas of international investigation support, peer-to-peer collaboration in nuclear forensics research, and nuclear detection Science & Engineering Team (SET) support to strengthen nuclear security capacity worldwide. This position is in the Global Security Principal Directorate’s N Program. While this position is funded in part by Global Security, most of your assignment will be funded through direct programmatic work.

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.

In this role, you will

• Lead, manage, and coordinate a team of 20+ Principal Investigators (PIs), and make substantive contributions to projects within the GMS nuclear smuggling detection & deterrence program, including funding oversight of a multi-million-dollar program.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for relevant technical and policy areas associated with the program’s nuclear smuggling detection & deterrence mission area and sponsors as defined by the GMS program leader. Represent the program and provide strategic technical advice to sponsors and other U.S. Government (USG) organizations, traveling as necessary.
• Manage the program's international engagements agenda, including producing high-quality technical presentations and reports. Develop and maintain an integrated strategy for program areas consistent with overall GMS strategic planning, utilizing key knowledge and insights on nuclear forensics, associated nuclear threat reduction efforts, and national security needs.
• Develop and track project execution plans for the program’s assigned international engagements and research and development projects, including allocation and monitoring of available personnel and budgets.
• Develop new program opportunities, including the definition and development of proposals in collaboration with potential sponsors and customers, including those outside of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) such as Department of State (DoS) and other agencies.
• Maintain and ensure appropriate quality standards of highly complex projects for all the program’s activities including reviewing, coordinating, and approving deliverables, publications and presentations. Promote and maintain a positive image of the Laboratory and strong internal/external customer relationships by ensuring project and program objectives and commitments are met successfully.
• Effectively coordinate with other GS programs and LLNL scientific disciplines involved in nuclear security, particularly those that support operations and research & development in nuclear forensics, staying abreast of current technical developments and casework, and promoting maximum utilization of the current nuclear forensic workforce and pipeline.
• Manage and coordinate NSDD related proposal submissions for the Laboratory to ensure consistency, quality, and mission/vision alignment in partnership with other senior managers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SEL.5 level

• Develop innovative concepts and provide expert management, leadership, technical vision, and strategic planning for both analytic and research and development environments.
• Influence strategic vision and implementation plans for senior management and external stakeholders to meet the needs of the broad US nuclear forensics and nuclear detection communities.
• Cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships with external organizations, including academia, other national laboratories, government agencies, and facilities.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE (L/Q)-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Master’s Degree in physical science, engineering, or other relevant field or the equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Highly advanced leadership, communication, and team-building skills to lead collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams responsible for, and contributing to, international engagement in nuclear forensics, including investigation support and peer-to-peer research in nuclear forensics, or other relevant field in support of U.S. government programs.
• Significant experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets and effectively balancing highly complex technical and budgetary priorities. Advanced program management skills with ability to deliver successful results.
• Experience managing issues that affect facility management, safety, and regulatory compliance effectively.
• Expert problem-solving, analytical, technical, and organizational skills to independently advise, recommend, and approve appropriate actions and implement solutions. Ability to delegate effectively to lead, motivate, and build complex teams to work toward programmatic and institutional goals.
• Significant experience cultivating successful and productive relationships with external clients/sponsors and the expert collaboration skills needed to effectively develop and sustain partnerships with other programs, directorates, laboratories, NNSA management, other institutions across the interagency and intelligence community.
• Experience supporting international engagement activities in nuclear security, including delivering workshops and leading international meetings.
• Expert communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively explain, present, negotiate, advise, and influence all levels of management.
• Appropriate cultural sensitivity to help develop trust, confidence, and a collaborative attitude in our international partners.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively.

Additional qualifications, at the SEL.5 level

• Significant experience working with foreign partners and proven ability to lead, develop positions on, and implement nuclear smuggling detection & deterrence initiatives, or similar work on related programs.
• Working knowledge of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security, Nuclear Forensics and Radiological Crime Scene Management efforts including implementation instruments, technical development needs, and international training needs at the IAEA and among foreign partners.
• Working knowledge of global technical advancements that may influence or impact nuclear security.

Qualifications We Desire

• Doctoral Degree in physical science, engineering, or other relevant field or the equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Significant experience working in the area of nuclear forensics, to include operational experience (casework), research & development, and/or international engagement.

Additional Information

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2021 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor
• Work for a premier innovative national Laboratory
• Comprehensive Benefits Package
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Collaborative, creative, inclusive, and fun team environment

Learn more about our company, selection process, position types and security clearances by visiting our Career site.

COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate

LLNL demonstrates its commitment to public safety by requiring that all new Laboratory employees be immunized against COVID-19 unless granted an accommodation under applicable state or federal law. This requirement will apply to all new hires including those who will be working on site, as well as those who will be teleworking.

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. In addition, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. For additional information, please see DOE Order 472.2.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position will be required to 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.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

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

Equal Employment Opportunity

LLNL is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer that values and hires a diverse workforce. 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.

LLNS is committed to offering reasonable accommodations during the application and recruiting processes due to a disability. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please submit a request via our online form.

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.

Position Information

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

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

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.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

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

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.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.