Operational and Experimental Systems Manager

Job description

Company Description Join us and make YOUR mark on the World! Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact. Job Description We have multiple openings for Operational and Experimental Systems Manager to serve as Shot Directors in the National Ignition Facility (NIF). You will join a team responsible for directing and coordinating the 24/7 operations of the integrated laser and experimental systems of the NIF, a stadium-sized facility supporting our country’s mission to safeguard the nuclear stockpile and conduct fusion energy and discovery science experiments. You will be responsible for the successful execution of complex target experiments in the NIF, as well as for ensuring that all activities conducted by operations, engineering, and scientific personnel are performed in accordance with NIF’s Integrated Safety Program. These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations Division within the Engineering Directorate. This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work. In this role, you will Lead teams, programs, or functions with a technical focus, operate under consultative direction with substantial authority, use subject matter expertise and significant team leadership experience, and exercise judgment within established policies to monitor workflow, allocate resources, ensure timely completion of projects, independently determine strategies, and achieve objectives while managing organizational impact and pursuing actions to achieve long-term goals. Lead, coordinate, supervise, and collaborate with technical and scientific personnel operating and maintaining diagnostic, alignment, computer control, pulse-power, cryogenic, and utility systems, among others. Collaborate with and provide direct technical leadership to a multi-disciplinary team of experimental support personnel including scientists, engineers, operators, and technicians. Plan and schedule NIF activities by communicating with facility and experimental plans to the Control Room operators and staff. Provide solutions to highly complex problems to continuously improve the control system software; this includes participation in design reviews and change review board activities for proposed additions or changes to facility hardware and software. Provide direct leadership that supports 24 hour per day, 7 day per week operations, working various shifts as required; serve as the Facility Point of Contact and Emergency Manager during off shifts. Lead the coordination of personnel, material, and equipment resources for facility maintenance, installation, and construction activities. Develop solutions to highly complex, ambiguous problems by evaluating and synthesizing multiple tangible and intangible factors through in-depth analysis. Under consultative direction, evaluate control room performance with quantifiable metrics and propose improvements to enhance efficiency and productivity. Provide expert level technical guidance to NIF operations. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship. Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and significant related experience and demonstrated ability to lead independent work. Expert level knowledge in science or engineering that relates to implementation of integrated, highly complex, and large-scale systems. Expert level experience in the management of operations for large and highly complex technical systems operated by multidisciplinary teams. Significant experience managing and executing an integrated safety management system. Expert interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage personnel conflicts and maintain high morale in a demanding and dynamic environment. Demonstrated experience leading a team and/or group effectively in a fast-paced, high pressure, highly complex, multidisciplinary team environment, working across organizational boundaries. Demonstrated leadership skills for successfully leading and managing multidisciplinary teams. Expert level verbal and written communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively collaborate and lead in a team environment, present and explain technical information, and provide advice to management, personnel and stakeholders. Demonstrated experience in leading the operation of a large highly complex scientific facility. Qualifications We Desire Master’s degree in Science, Engineering, Physics, or related technical field. Pay Range $227,430 - $288,396 Annually 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. Additional Information #LI-Onsite Position Information This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates. Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory? Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor! Flexible Benefits Package 401(k) Relocation Assistance Education Reimbursement Program Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs) Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values 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. 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. How to identify fake job advertisements Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond. To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf 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 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 . Videos To Watch