Physical Sciences Manager II

Job Description
Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Our mission is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high‑hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services, and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy.

Our vision is to be the user site of choice for large‑scale, high‑hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.

• MSTS offers full‑time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, vision, pension, 401(k), paid time off, 96 hours of paid holidays, relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location), tuition assistance and reimbursement, and more.
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc., Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., and HII Nuclear Inc.

The Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) is a key R&D innovator that provides the NNSS, NNSA, and other government organizations with capabilities that address DOE and DoD national security requirements. Located in Santa Barbara, California, STL is a unique satellite location within the NNSS and is responsive to NNSA nuclear security mission requirements and broader national security objectives.

As a manager and leader you will be responsible for a professional workforce to deliver on current commitments and innovate for future national security threats. Approximately 20% of your time will be dedicated to management responsibilities, including team mentorship, project coordination, and strategic planning. The remaining 80% will involve direct technical work on customer‑facing projects, applying your scientific expertise to solve complex challenges and deliver innovative solutions.

• Recruit, select, orient, and train scientific staff to meet mission requirements and maintain a safe and secure work environment.
• Lead staff through clear communication of job expectations, monitoring and appraisal of results, and coaching.
• Lead the Physical Sciences Department within STL.
• Strategically guide the department by setting objectives, analyzing trends, and measuring results against business and financial goals.
• Oversee departmental budget and financial performance, including forecasting and variance management.
• Maintain and improve service quality through rigorous standards and continuous process enhancement.
• Design and maintain operational systems, policies, and procedures to foster optimal team and resource effectiveness.
• Create a culture where employees can raise, address, and resolve issues.
• Establish a framework that ensures high‑quality scientific support for internal and external sponsors.
• Provide oversight of strategic R&D initiatives, coordinating with programmatic mission areas within the NNSS.
• Guide cross‑functional cross‑disciplinary teams and coordinate collaboration with external partners.
• Champion and lead special projects for the Laboratory.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and a minimum of 14 years of related, progressively responsible experience.
• Preferred:
  Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a calculus‑based technical field.
• Leadership experience managing a scientific and engineering workforce within a large organization.
• Broad applied knowledge in leadership, supervision, personnel management, resource planning, and technical expertise.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for customer service and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience leading technical initiatives in scientific disciplines and managing integrated safety programs.
• Demonstrated people‑management experience, including project or program planning, budgeting, and staffing.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with…