Program Group Leader for Secondary Performance - Active Security Clearance Required

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 an opening for a Program Group Leader (PGL) to lead and manage the Secondary Performance (SP) Program Group within Integrated Weapon Science (IWS) in the Weapon Physics and Design (WPD) program. The SP PGL will lead a portfolio of technical efforts focused on advancing capabilities to simulate secondary performance and deepening institutional understanding of secondary physics.  A key priority for SP is building, maintaining, and disseminating, in the appropriate venues, core knowledge in this mission area. This position will be in the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate.

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options, may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

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 a higher level. 

You will

• Foster coordination, communication, and positive team dynamics amongst all team members.
• Ensure development and delivery of advanced capabilities to close capability gaps in alignment with WPD strategic goals.
• Guide scientific and technical direction for the projects in the SP program group.
• Provide technical contributions toward advancing state-of-the-art capabilities pursed by the SP program group
• Interface with a broad range of technical staff to identify current capability gaps and gather broad input on prioritization.
• Annually develop program plan priorities and staffing and track throughout the year.
• Manage the SP budget and report monthly on project execution status.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 Additional job responsibilities at the SEL.5 level

• Responsible for strategic planning and directing projects plus program goals and objectives. 
• Act as senior expert on capability development requirements.
• Work in close partnership with Weapon Simulation and Computing (WSC) to build a shared awareness of capability development priorities and challenges.
• Serve on internal/external scientific/technical committees when needed and influence strategic technical decisions made by senior management, cross-program coordinators, and NNSA HQ.

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.
• Doctoral degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field, or equivalent level of demonstrated knowledge.
• Significant Experience with secondary modeling and simulation with broad knowledge of design practices and familiarity with the LLNL weapon-physics programs.
• Significant experience teaming and partnering effectively to lead cross-disciplinary and cross-laboratory teams to work toward programmatic and institutional goals.
• Highly advanced problem solving, analytical, technical, organizational, and management skills necessary to independently advise, recommend, and approve appropriate actions and implement solutions.
• Significant communication skills, both written and verbal, necessary to effectively explain, present, negotiate, advise, and influence all levels of management.
• Experience fostering productive relationships with other divisions, directorates, laboratories, institutions across the DOE.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.5 level

• Expert knowledge of secondary modeling and simulation with demonstrated deep experience in design and familiarity with the LLNL weapon-physics programs.
• Extensive experience teaming and partnering effectively to build, lead, and motivate cross-disciplinary and cross-laboratory teams to work toward programmatic and institutional goals.
• Extensive experience managing and leading a significant technical portfolio, supporting large-scale projects led by others, building budgets and spending plans, and a demonstrated ability to deliver results.
• Expert communication skills, both written and verbal, necessary to effectively explain, present, negotiate, advise, and influence all levels of management.
• Experience in strategic planning and in decision-making on matters that significantly impact WPD’s ability to achieve its overall objectives and long-range goals.
• Substantial experience sustaining productive relationships with other divisions, directorates, laboratories, NNSA management, and institutions across the DOE.

Qualifications We Desire

• Familiarity with WPD program planning and budgeting.
• Experience in the design and fielding of experiments with associated interpretation and application of experiment results.

Pay Range

$227,430 - $346,140 Annually

$227,430 - $288,396 Annually for the SEL.4 level
$272,970 - $346,140 Annually for the SEL.5 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. 

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 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 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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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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