NIF Target Diagnostics Engineering and Science Group Lead

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.

We have multiple openings for NIF Target Diagnostics Engineering and Science Group Leaders. In this position, you will provide technical leadership and management to the National Ignition Facility and Photon Sciences (NIF & PS) Directorate. Additionally, you will be responsible for the engineering, maintenance and new capability integration leadership for various Target Diagnostic systems in the NIF facility. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division within the Engineering Directorate.

This position will be filled at either the SEL.3 or SEL.4 level depending on your qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.

In this role, you will,

• Provide technical mentorship, leadership, and management to multi-disciplinary teams of engineers and technologists supporting NIF target diagnostic systems development and deployment.
• Collaborate with the group lead scientist, target diagnostic project managers, and systems engineers to plan and execute engineering development projects, including determining resource requirements and personnel skill sets needed to execute successfully, and identifying and communicating gaps to management.
• Direct technical activities, as needed, in support of new capability development and technical problem solving.
• Establish, maintain, and ensure quality standards for project deliverables and guide project teams through engineering development process, utilizing a graded approach to ensure agile execution in accordance with both sponsor funding and NIF facility integration expectations.
• Troubleshoot with support staff and subject matter experts when issues arise, resolving complex problems, closing problem logs, and providing off-shift support for Shot Operations, as required.
• Lead, guide, and direct teams in the generation and review of design documentation and drawings, operation, calibration, and maintenance procedures, and training and qualification documents.
• Successfully utilize existing work, internal resources, and partnerships to develop innovative capabilities to increase the impact of LLNL and lead the development of project portfolios.
• Lead team in conducting thoughtful and comprehensive reviews and assessments of complex engineering system design processes, providing expert technical analysis and recommendations for optimizing performance by applying advanced knowledge and using innovative methods/technology where applicable.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SEL.4 level

• Assess strategic technical needs to develop and support research and investments in diagnostic technology infrastructure and lead technical initiatives to advance state of the art target diagnostic capabilities.
• Serve as subject matter expert on major projects and multi-disciplinary efforts to positively impact the team's long-term goals and objectives.
• Pilot change, and lead efforts to establish and commission new complex, state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities.
• Act as a delegated authority from the control account manager to actively plan, monitor, and manage changes and priorities in the portfolio of projects, including recommending process improvements and providing strategic technical advice specific to schedule and budget management activities.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Nuclear etc.), Systems Engineering or related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and relevant prior experience.
• Advanced level knowledge or significant training and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: nuclear physics, x-ray and/or gamma radiation shielding and detection devices, high-speed electronic detection methods, precision engineering and alignment.
• Advanced level knowledge and detailed understanding of engineering system design and analysis, and significant experience in project planning, systems engineering, and technical leadership.
• Advanced level problem solving skills, with demonstrated ability to successfully develop and implement creative and effective solutions for a diverse range of complex technical challenges, as well as lead corrective actions where necessary.
• Significant experience developing, deploying, and integrating complex engineering systems in an operational environment.
• Significant leadership skills and experience, with demonstrated ability to lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams in a technical environment, including applying engineering rigor with a tailored, graded approach to achieve an appropriate balance of agility and process.
• Advanced verbal and written communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills necessary to interact, present, explain, and advise all levels of technical staff, program management, and/or external stakeholders.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.4 level

• Subject matter expert level knowledge in one or more of the following areas: nuclear physics, x-ray and/or gamma radiation shielding and detection devices, high-speed electronic detection methods, precision engineering and alignment.
• Possess expert level application and development of existing work, internal resources, and partnerships that resulted in successfully developing new project portfolios.
• Extensive experience and the ability to lead the application and development of highly advanced principles, theories, and concepts in an applicable discipline in a creative and innovative fashion.
• Expert level verbal and written communication, facilitation, negotiation, and collaboration skills, necessary to interact, cooperate, present, explain, mediate, influence, and advise all levels of technical staff, program management, and/or external stakeholders.

Qualifications we desire

• Master's degree in Mechanical, Nuclear or Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Experience in writing technical specifications and statements of work.
• Experience with fielding complex systems in NIF using the IPRB design review process and Work Authorization Process for facility integration.
• Significant experience in developing advanced high-performance x-ray, optical, or nuclear & magnetic drive diagnostic systems for high precision high energy density or laser applications in a highly complex operational environment.
• Experience leading large dynamic projects and multi-laboratory efforts that positively affected the organization's goals and objectives.

#LI-Onsite

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!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet 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

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Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate 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.

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