Laser System Engineering and Operations Group Leader

Laser System Engineering and Operations Group Leader 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.

We have multiple openings for Engineering Group Leaders to lead a multi‑disciplinary group of engineers responsible for supporting key operations, design, and R&D activities in the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science Directorate (NIF&PS). The openings include administratively leading groups that support teams in the Systems Engineering, Integrated Engineering, and Systems Integration Engineering Sections. You will 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 to serving as Group Leader, you will also be expected to fulfill a programmatic project role within the NIF&PS Directorate. These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.

These positions 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.

• 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.
• Provide technical and operational leadership and supervision, and administrative direction to a multi‑disciplinary team of engineers.
• Lead and coordinate recruiting, hiring, training, career development, and performance management activities to meet programmatic staffing, employee development, and performance related and salary management needs, including providing career counseling, mentoring, and technical guidance.
• Collaborate with the NIF&PS Directorate leaders to identify and manage the work assignments for the group members, define work objectives, and advise and evaluate staff on the execution of technical work.
• Lead and participate in formal and informal design reviews; provide guidance to group members on engineering excellence using Engineering Safety notes in accordance with Engineering Design Safety Standards, industry best practices, systems engineering, and project management.
• Mentor group members in design, analysis, implementation, and integration for components and systems with implementation of the systems engineering methodology in the Integrated Product Review Board process.
• Manage workforce projection working with programmatic managers to meet staff availability and training needs, using this information to help develop a vision for the group.
• Advocate for and prioritize alignment of work scope, ensuring it is adequately staffed and resourced to support successful execution and achievement of milestones and deliverables while managing multiple parallel tasks, resolving conflicting work requirements and setting priorities to meet defined targets.
• Maintain strong communications, collaborations, and contacts, internal and external to LLNL, and ensure that program risks and requirements are communicated in an effective and timely manner to senior leadership.
• Identify and foster Science & Technology initiatives in lasers, optics, diagnostics, or other applicable research areas for NIF&PS and Engineering.
  
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