Space Optomechanical Systems Group Leader Active Clearance Required

We have an opening for a Group Leader who will collaborate with a group of scientists engineers and focused on support for the Space Science and Security Program (SSSP) within Global Securitys Z Program. You will act as a liaison between the SSSP and Engineering to help identify personnel to support projects and advise group members on technical career development. You will interact with group members NSED Management Engineering Management and Program contacts.  This position is in the National Security Engineering Division (NSED) within the Engineering Directorate.

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

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will:

• Provide technical and operational leadership and supervision and administrative direction to a multi-disciplinary team including scientists engineers that are responsible for all aspects of optomechanical space system design analysis assembly integration and test.
• Lead carry out participate in and/or coordinate recruiting hiring training career development and performance management activities as needed to meet programmatic staffing employee development and performance related and salary management needs including providing career counseling mentoring and technical guidance.
• Provide management solutions including determining and pursuing courses of action essential to obtaining desired outcomes to highly unusual complex and/or sensitive issues where the solution path is not known ahead of time. Manage workforce projection working with programmatic managers to meet staff availability and training needs using this information to help develop a vision for the group.
• Manage many parallel tasks requiring the resolution of conflicting work requirements and the prioritization of tasks to meet pre-determined targets for the SSSP program.
• Provide strategic insight to the SSSP program and Engineering to enhance LLNL capabilities and outcomes.
• Foster interactions with other NSED groups and Engineering Divisions for resource needs in SSSP.
• Maintain strong communications collaborations and contacts internal and external to LLNL and ensure that program risks and requirements are communicated in an effective and timely manner to senior leadership.
• Monitor performance required to meet programmatic goals and deadlines and provide solutions to problems where necessary.
• Ensure group members remain current on all training requirements and that they understand and follow Laboratory and Directorate policies and procedures. Provide technical safety and security leadership to group personnel and activities and ensure compliance with all safety and security requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SEL.5 level

• In collaboration with NSED Division Leadership contribute to strategic planning efforts and succession planning on long range goals
• Influence strategic technical decisions made by senior management and external customers based on technical expertise.
• Serve as an organizational spokesperson and senior technical expert for Laboratory management and/or as an external advisor for customers and sponsors.

Qualifications :

• This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top-Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire. Also you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
• Bachelors degree in Engineering Physical Science or related technical field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Subject matter expertise in engineering of space-based systems including system design analysis assembly integration test and proposals taking into consideration payload spacecraft orbit and subsystem specifications.
• Expert communication facilitation and collaboration skills necessary to lead a team to present explain influence and provide advice to management program leaders and to interpret and convey Laboratory policies to employees and promote situational awareness as well as interpersonal skills to attract motivate and retain high performing technical staff.
• Significant leadership experience working effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment serving national security missions particularly in space-based missions. 
• Ability to manage in positive ways by communicating effectively empathizing with others overcoming setbacks and defusing conflict with an aptitude for successfully mentoring and supervising others and managing sensitive personnel matters.

Additional qualifications at the SESL.5 level

• Extensive experience leading complex personnel management issues innovative workforce development activities and policy initiatives at the Institutional or national level.
• Extensive subject matter expertise and leadership experience in engineering of space-based systems. 
• Extensive experience at or engaging with sponsoring USG agencies interacting to identify technologies to solve specific national security issues.

Qualifications We Desire

• Masters degree or PhD in engineering physical science or related field or the equivalent combination of education and previous relevant experience.
• Leadership experience with multidisciplinary teams serving national security missions in space systems engineering and mission design.
• Familiarity with soliciting Programmatic LDRD ISCP SPP or other funding streams. 
• Experience mentoring postdoctoral researchers. 
• Substantial experience with LLNL/Global Security and LLNL/Engineering Directorates administrative policies procedures practices and standards. Experience operating in an SCI environment and handling SCI matters.
• Experience in payroll supervision preparation of performance reviews ranking and salary management and knowledge of Engineering Directorate personnel policies and procedures.

Pay Range

$227430 - $346140 Annually

$227430 - $288396 Annually for the SEL.4 level

$272970 - $346140 Annually for the SEL.5 level

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 an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire.  Also you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.  Please note that your current active Q or Top Secret clearance with DOE or another agency does not guarantee DOE SCI access approval; if you are denied access you may be subject to reinvestigation of your existing Q or Top Secret Clearance. 

  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.

  Wireless and Medical Devices

  Per the Department of Energy (DOE) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes but not limited to cell phones tablets fitness devices wireless headphones and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

  If you use a medical device which pairs with a mobile device you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

  How to identify fake job advertisements

  Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under Find Your Job of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent we strongly recommend you do not respond.

  To learn more about recruitment scams:  Employment Opportunity

  We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion marital status national origin ancestry sex sexual orientation gender identity disability medical condition pregnancy protected veteran status age citizenship or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

  Reasonable Accommodation

  Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process please use our online form to submit a request. 

  California Privacy Notice

  The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants employees and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.

  
  

  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time