Associate Program Leader for Nuclear Detonation Detection - Active Security Clearance Required

We have an opening for an Associate Program Leader (APL) for Nuclear Detonation Detection (NDD) in the Nonproliferation Research and Development (NPRD) Program.  In this role you will support NPRDs mission to perform innovative research that develops forefront capabilities and expertise to detect foreign nuclear weapons development and testing verify arms control and nonproliferation agreements counter nuclear proliferation and terrorism and respond to nuclear incidents.  The Nuclear Detonation Detection (NDD) program area consists of a multidisciplinary team that utilizes expertise in nuclear explosion monitoring to enable more effective detection location and characterization of foreign nuclear weapons detonations both above and below ground on the Earth in the Earths atmosphere and in outer space.  As the APL for NDD you will be responsible for staffing and mentoring ensuring consistency and quality and enabling delivery of technical products across the NDD portfolio.  You will work closely with technical leads across NPRD and play a key role in setting program strategy and direction prioritizing resources to develop new capabilities and reporting progress and milestones.  The APL for NDD will also work with relevant APLs in the Space Science and Security Program (SSSP) to facilitate development of technologies suitable for integration into operational space monitoring and verification systems.  As part of the NPRD leadership team you will work with the Program Leader (PL) and the other APLs to enable and sustain a culture of integration and innovation throughout the program.

This position is within the Global Security Principal Directorates Nuclear Threat Reduction (N) Program and will programmatically report to the Program Leader (PL) for NPRD.  While some funding for sponsor engagement is available from Global Security for this position most of your assignment will be funded through direct programmatic work.

This position will be filled at either the SEL.4 or SEL.5 level depending on your qualifications.  Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.  

In this role you will

• Provide direct technical leadership managerial and budgetary oversight and quality assurance for nuclear detonation detection within the NPRD portfolio.  Serve as an interface and coordinate with stakeholders both internal and external to LLNL.
• Lead and coordinate a multidisciplinary team to apply expertise on nuclear explosion monitoring and to deliver technical products for NDD applications.  Facilitate integration across NPRD as part of the leadership team fostering collaboration and teamwork.
• Contribute as a technical expert within the NDD and broader NPRD portfolio.  Identify guide and develop new programmatic and research opportunities within the NPRD mission area.  Support experimental activities through coordination with internal and external facilities.
• Maintain and ensure appropriate quality standards including reviewing coordinating and approving deliverables publications and presentations.  Promote and maintain a positive image of the Laboratory and strong internal/external customer relationships by ensuring project and program objectives and commitments are met successfully.
• Provide career development support to new and existing staff including mentoring on a variety of topics ranging from specific technical areas to project/program management and leadership.
• Support the Program Leader (PL) and the other APLs and technical leads in the development of strategic and program plans annual budgeting and while balancing programmatic priorities resource availability staffing security and safety.
• Serve as the primary liaison between NDD and the Space Science and Security Program (SSSP) to facilitate development of technologies suitable for integration into operational space monitoring and verification systems.
• Engage with the N Program Focus Area Leads to coordinate NDD activities managed by other PLs and APLs throughout N Program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SEL.5 level

• Develop and integrate innovative crosscutting capabilities and advancements for nuclear detonation detection serving multiple programmatic missions.
• Influence strategic vision and implementation plans for senior management and external stakeholders to meet the broad needs of the U.S. nonproliferation mission.
• Champion new processes and cultivate relationships for personnel recruiting training mentoring development and retention.  Encourage and enable integration of staff across varying programmatic areas of NPRD N Program and the larger GS and LLNL communities.
• Cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships with external organizations including academic institutions national laboratories government agencies and experimental facilities.

Qualifications :

• This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Qlevel clearance or active TopSecret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.
• Masters degree in physical science engineering computer science or related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated advanced expertise in one or more areas related to nuclear explosion monitoring including nuclear physics/engineering and/or geophysics.
• Extensive experience in one or more areas related to nuclear explosion monitoring including experimental operations involving complex field work.
• Knowledge of operational applications of nuclear monitoring technology to problems of national and international concern.
• Demonstrated leadership communication and teambuilding skills to develop and nurture effective relationships work effectively with partners at other organizations and laboratories across multiple technical disciplines and program functions lead collaborative multidisciplinary teams and represent NPRD/NDD activities to internal and external sponsor stakeholders and all levels of management.
• Substantial experience managing multiple projects of evolving and varying priority including advanced delegation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to foster an effective environment for teams to achieve programmatic and institutional goals.
• Significant experience cultivating successful and productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.5 level

• Ph.D. in physical science engineering computer science or related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Extensive knowledge of the signatures of nuclear explosions and experience as a nuclear detonation detection subjectmatter expert and practitioner.
• Expert knowledge of nuclear detonation detection instrumentation and characterization techniques with application to the nuclear nonproliferation mission. Extensive experience and ability to lead assessments and analyses of nuclear detonation concerns and threats.
• Advanced ability to develop innovative concepts and to provide expert leadership management technical vision and strategic planning for nuclear detonation detection activities.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and enable opportunities for integration collaboration and program development with the internal LLNL Science and Technology community as well as the broad external Science and Technology community in support of the nonproliferation mission.
• Expertlevel leadership and communication skills to provide guidance and support for senior management decisions and planning processes.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience performing work at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) and understanding of site policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of current NPRD experimental activities at the NNSS.
• Familiarity with LLNLs mission values and operational procedures.

Additional Information :

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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)
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  This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Qlevel clearance.  Also you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.  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. Qlevel clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Fulltime