Operational and Experimental Systems Manager

We have multiple openings for Operational and Experimental Systems Manager to serve as Shot Directors in the National Ignition Facility (NIF). You will join a team responsible for directing and coordinating the 24/7 operations of the integrated laser and experimental systems of the NIF a stadium-sized facility supporting our countrys mission to safeguard the nuclear stockpile and conduct fusion energy and discovery science experiments. You will be responsible for the successful execution of complex target experiments in the NIF as well as for ensuring that all activities conducted by operations engineering and scientific personnel are performed in accordance with NIFs Integrated Safety Program. These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations Division within the Engineering Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

In this role you will 

• 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.
• Lead coordinate supervise and collaborate with technical and scientific personnel operating and maintaining diagnostic alignment computer control pulse-power cryogenic and utility systems among others.
• Collaborate with and provide direct technical leadership to a multi-disciplinary team of experimental support personnel including scientists engineers operators and technicians.
• Plan and schedule NIF activities by communicating with facility and experimental plans to the Control Room operators and staff.
• Provide solutions to highly complex problems to continuously improve the control system software; this includes participation in design reviews and change review board activities for proposed additions or changes to facility hardware and software.
• Provide direct leadership that supports 24 hour per day 7 day per week operations working various shifts as required; serve as the Facility Point of Contact and Emergency Manager during off shifts.
• Lead the coordination of personnel material and equipment resources for facility maintenance installation and construction activities.
• Develop solutions to highly complex ambiguous problems by evaluating and synthesizing multiple tangible and intangible factors through in-depth analysis.
• Under consultative direction evaluate control room performance with quantifiable metrics and propose improvements to enhance efficiency and productivity. 
• Provide expert level technical guidance to NIF operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelors degree in Science or Engineering or related field or the equivalent combination of education and significant related experience and demonstrated ability to lead independent work.
• Expert level knowledge in science or engineering that relates to implementation of integrated highly complex and large-scale systems.
• Expert level experience in the management of operations for large and highly complex technical systems operated by multidisciplinary teams.
• Significant experience managing and executing an integrated safety management system.
• Expert interpersonal skills including the ability to manage personnel conflicts and maintain high morale in a demanding and dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading a team and/or group effectively in a fast-paced high pressure highly complex multidisciplinary team environment working across organizational boundaries.
• Demonstrated leadership skills for successfully leading and managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Expert level verbal and written communication facilitation and collaboration skills necessary to effectively collaborate and lead in a team environment present and explain technical information and provide advice to management personnel and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in leading the operation of a large highly complex scientific facility.

Qualifications We Desire

• Masters degree in Science Engineering Physics or related technical field.

Pay Range

$227430 - $288396 Annually

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 employees 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-Onsite

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  Clearance

  This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  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.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

  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.

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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time