Q-Group Leader; R&D Manager

What You Will Do

The Gas Transfer Systems Group (Q-7) is responsible for design, development, production liaison, surveillance, and stewardship of all gas transfer systems for LANL nuclear packages in the US nuclear weapon stockpile. The group is the programmatic tenant in two R&D facilities at LANL:
The Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF) and a high‑pressure gas transfer system radiological laboratory. Emphasis is the delivery of programmatic objectives via engineering excellence, personnel safety, security, compliance, and programmatic hardware reliability and availability. The successful candidate will team with the Q-7 chief Engineer to plan technical activities and provide strong team and personnel leadership. This team will include operational activities within laboratory environments/facilities associated with gas transfer system‑related research and development, design, qualification, production and surveillance.

The Q-7 Group Leader will work with the Division Leader, Deputy Division Leader and Q‑Division managers to develop and foster effective teams across the Group and Division in such areas as: operational planning, strategic planning, program implementation, co‑execution of weapons development projects and deliverables. The group leader will be responsible for managing ES&H, security, recruiting, staffing, performance appraisals, employee development, resolving personnel issues and salary management for the group.

The ideal candidate should bring a strong understanding of the complex‑wide posture for gas transfer systems and tritium science.

This posting is under the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Engineering (ALDW).

Mechanical, Chemical, Systems or related Engineering experience with working knowledge of gas transfer systems associated with the U.S. stockpile or other weapon designs. Demonstrated experience successfully managing complex tests and experiments while fostering safe, secure, and compliant programs. Documented experience working throughout the weapons complex to successfully deliver on milestones. Experience working within the framework outlined by the Defense Programs Business Process System (DPBPS).

Demonstrated use of project management principles and tools to deliver product on schedule, while engaging multiple projects with differing priorities. Demonstrated experience in program development, advocacy, and strategic planning. Demonstrated record of developing and fostering successful cross‑organizational teams to solve complex problems.

Demonstrated record of successful leadership within a line organization, including support of performance and salary management, budgeting, recruitment, conflict resolution, and developing staff growth opportunities and matching resource skills to mission needs while demonstrating commitment to safety, security, environment, and quality. Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to interact effectively with all levels of Laboratory personnel and internal and external customers.

Demonstrated experience with developing staffing plans, recruiting, and staff development. Demonstrated commitment to Laboratory goals and SCoR principle for ensuring the health and safety of workers and the public, environmental protection, workforce diversity, and employee development. Demonstrated commitment to Laboratory goals in assuring the security of classified information, assuring the health and safety of workers the public and environment, work force diversity and employee development.

Position requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 8 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

• MS or PhD degree is preferred.
• Familiarity with the Laboratory weapons research and programmatic activities
• Familiarity with the NNSA Nuclear Security Enterprise, LANL's Design Agency role and methodology of role execution
• Excellent interpersonal,…