Laser System Engineering and Operations Group Leader/ Work Cente

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

$132,570 - $196,428 Annually

$132,570 - $162,324 Annually for the 390.1 level

$160,410 - $196,428 Annually for the 390.2 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 a Laser System Engineering and Operations Group Leader/ Work Center Supervisor to lead a team of engineering associates, technologists, and supplemental labor responsible for supporting the NIF Pulsed Power Systems organization in the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science Directorate (NIF&PS). You will lead a Work Center responsible for assembling, installing, operating, and maintaining equipment used for the pulsed power systems. You will additionally have a critical role in fostering successful careers, creating a positive and inclusive working environment, and providing an outstanding staff to meet program needs. In addition, you will be responsible for the planning and execution of daily activities and work scope integration to allow the work center to function as efficiently as possible. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role, you will

• Lead and provide technical and direct administrative supervision and oversight, including work planning, setting priorities, designating daily work assignments, as well as personnel actions and administration of policies and procedures.
• Ensure consistent and adequate staffing coverage to support uninterrupted 24/7 operations. This includes proactively monitoring team schedules, anticipating coverage gaps, and coordinating resources to maintain operational continuity at all times.
• Perform personnel related functions, including recruiting, hiring, and retention activities, performance evaluation and alignment, salary management, influencing the work environment to foster staff development, employee morale, and well-being, providing career guidance, and making recommendations on promotion and disciplinary actions for group members.
• Monitor performance required to meet programmatic milestones and deliverables and lead corrective actions where necessary, while directing teams and individuals in a highly interactive and integrated operational environment to perform work safely and consistently within program objectives, and ensuring quality and adherence to engineering standards.
• Collaborate with the programmatic managers to identify and manage the work assignments for the group members, define work objectives, and obtain ongoing performance feedback.
• Manage workforce projections working with programmatic managers to meet staff availability and training needs, using this information to help develop a vision for the group, including participating in planning, budgeting, decision making, and change processes, providing oversight of work center activities, ensuring timely and cost effective execution of engineering support services, and establishing or modifying guidelines, techniques, and procedures.
• Coordinate with external entities for work control, provide technical support and verifications through field observations, and represent the Work Center in design and management reviews.
• Collaborate with technical staff to define functional requirements, solve complex technical and resource problems, and evaluate alternative concepts consistent with schedule, cost, and material limitations
• Manage scheduling and tasks in NIF Daily Operations Schedule (DOS), NIF PORT tool, oversee operator scheduling, handle call outs/vacations, and maintain documentation including qualifications, training records, and work permits, while ensuring processes and procedures are current and adhere to programmatic standards.
• Advise and evaluate staff on the execution of technical work, provide performance feedback, identify staff networking opportunities, provide training and coaching, identify and schedule applicable certifications, facilitate regular career growth, development, planning, and goal discussions, mentor for leadership succession, and foster a positive team culture with regular communication across shifts.
• Manage LTRAIN Questionnaires and verify training compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional responsibilities at the 390.2 level

• Define, plan, and oversee multiple projects of significant scope, affecting institutional objectives and regularly inform management with project status, workforce effort, and schedule.
• Provide highly advanced technical and related administrative support, expertise, guidance, advice, and frequent, complex decision making where the qualitative and quantitative complexity of the project assignments require original and innovative problem solutions.
• Represent LLNL and the Work Center on issues of high significance, including with external collaborators and stakeholders.
• Manage significant signature authority on technical and administrative matters, including ES&H, code, or standards compliance.
• Author and routinely present reports, presentations, and recommendations to management and external collaborators, and partner on long range strategic planning to establish and ensure department's missions, goals, and work activities are met.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
• Bachelor's degree in the field of engineering technology or related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced technical skills in electromechanical systems, mechanisms and mechatronics, industrial handling equipment, hoisting and rigging equipment, mechanical systems, optomechanical systems, and elevated work surfaces.
• Experience providing administrative and technical leadership and direction to others, leading and/or supervising personnel in laboratory or operations settings, effectively utilizing personnel and available resources, providing oversight, and anticipating and identifying programmatic needs.
• Experience in successfully assembling and directing teams to complete projects and resolve complex technical problems safely and securely.
• Advanced knowledge of transport and handling systems used by the Work Center.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills to effectively lead/supervise project teams, guide, mentor, and advise and provide problem solutions and customer service.
• Advanced level verbal and written communication, presentation, and collaboration skills.

Additional Qualifications at the 390.2 level

• Extensive experience leading teams, projects, or groups with significant technical and administrative authority.
• Highly advanced skills and understanding of relevant technologies and processes, including the ability to design highly complex systems and solutions.
• Significant experience with fiscal responsibility, resource management, and oversight of multiple projects of significant scope.
• Demonstrated experience and ability in representing the organization on issues of high significance and complexity, providing feedback, and influencing and advising management and stakeholders..
• Significant experience in defining project approaches, creating and implementing highly complex and innovative solutions, and establishing or modifying guidelines, techniques, and procedures.

Qualifications We Desire

• Highly organized, reliable, and dependable with an ability to manage/supervise a variety of concurrent activities.
• Experience in payroll supervision, preparation of performance reviews, performance alignment and salary management, and knowledge of Engineering Directorate policies and procedures.
• Experience interacting with and satisfying customer needs in a highly technical setting.
• Experience in operations within facility and production environment, potentially one with high energy and power laser systems.
• Experience with CMMS and scheduling tools.
• Experience in Ombuds program or equivalent.

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 2025 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.

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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.

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