Department Planner for Operations National Ignition Facility

We have multiple openings for Department Planners for Operations in several sections at the National Ignition Facility. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022 a historic moment in science that opened new physics regimes and set the stage for future fusion energy possibilities.

You will join a team which is responsible for directing the 24/7 activities of the National Ignition Facility. You will be responsible for the strategies required for successful planning and execution of complex facility operations maintenance and upgrade activities in the NIF.  This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division within the Engineering Directorate and supports projects within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Sciences (NIF&PS) / Light Matter and Fusion (LMF) directorate.

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

In this role you will

• Function independently with minimal direction taking significant responsibility and using advanced knowledge and judgment to establish objectives prioritize parallel tasks allocate resources and collaborate in the development of innovative methods/technology to guide the completion of projects and contribute to the development of organizational goals.
• Provide advanced technical leadership of the operations engineering and maintenance teams for large-scale complex integrated systems critical to the successful execution of scientific experiments on NIF in support of established section and facility strategy.
• Develop implement and lead facility operations and maintenance planning and scheduling monitoring workflow to achieve established goals and objectives ensuring operations activities are appropriately staffed and that projects are completed on schedule and working with other work centers to de-conflict scope and share resources as needed.
• Partner with section management to plan and schedule engineering projects working with and gaining the cooperation of other work centers to ensure the successful coordination of projects and timelines.
• Collaborate with and provide technical leadership to a large multi-disciplinary team of support personnel including scientists engineers operators and technicians.
• Develop and communicate work priorities operations engineering and maintenance team working with section management and Work Center Supervisors to prioritize schedule and resource load work exercising independent judgment within established policies and objectives to modify approaches using improved methods and processes when appropriate.
• Provide leadership and direction in the field to an operational team responsible for mentoring technicians safety security quality and efficiency (SSQE) functional requirements.  Analyze trends in these functional areas identify and implement mitigations and report findings to management. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

• Ability to obtain 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.
• Advanced knowledge in and significant experience with science or engineering as it relates to implementation of integrated complex and large-scale systems through the full operational lifecycle.
• Significant experience in the management of operations for a variety of large and complex technical control and hardware systems operated by multidisciplinary teams.
• Significant experience managing and executing an integrated safety management system.
• Significant experience formulating strategies for planning resources project scheduling tracking milestones and modifying scope when necessary for work integration functions including collaborating across multiple technical disciplines.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills including the ability to manage personnel conflicts and maintain high morale in a demanding and dynamic environment.
• Experience effectively leading and managing a team and/or group of 10 or more employees providing consultative direction and overseeing independent work in a fast-paced high pressure complex multidisciplinary team environment working across organizational boundaries.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate and lead in a team environment present and explain technical information and provide advice to management personnel and internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

• Masters degree in Science Engineering Physics or Business Administration.
• In-depth knowledge of DOE sponsors and Laboratory management structures and requirements..

Pay Range

$167340 - $212160 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)
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  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. 

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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time