Sustainment Project Manager NIF and Laser Systems

Are you ready to lead a major sustainment project portfolio advancing the worlds most powerful laser systems in support of national security science The National Ignition Facility (NIF) Sustainment team is seeking a Project Manager to lead complex interdependent projects that support long-term reliability modernization and operational readiness for NIF and advanced laser this role you will apply your technical expertise project leadership and strategic judgment to deliver mission-critical outcomes optimize resources and ensure execution in a highly regulated environment.

As the Project Manager you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the NIF Sustainment project: a large multi-disciplinary technical effort. You will direct and manage project activities across engineering operations procurement quality safety and scientific disciplines to ensure technical coherence safety schedule performance and successful delivery of project objectives. You will work closely with program leadership technical staff project controls and internal and external stakeholders to drive execution manage risk and achieve project and organizational goals. This position is part of the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) 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 and manage the sustainment project and associated related projects with a complex technical focus operating and using extensive leadership experience and independent judgment to establish objectives manage resources and achieve project milestones sponsor commitments and long-range goals.
• Direct and coordinate a multi-disciplinary team of 75 - 120 personnel across engineering operations procurement quality safety and scientific disciplines to execute scope maintain alignment with mission priorities and ensure successful delivery of project objectives across the major sustainment effort and the broader $600M portfolio.
• Develop and implement project execution strategies governance and controls to ensure technical safety regulatory and schedule compliance.
• Manage and oversee project scope budget staffing procurements and schedules applying project controls and earned value management (EVM) practices as appropriate to ensure commitments are met and work is executed in accordance with Laboratory and sponsor expectations.
• Apply project management rigor and systems engineering discipline to sustainment and modernization efforts including interface coordination technical reviews and validation of project deliverables while aligning technical baselines with operational objectives.
• Lead development of recovery strategies issue resolution plans and mitigation actions for technical schedule resource and operational challenges affecting project success and implement improvements in project execution processes and efficiency.
• Collaborate with senior management program leadership and partner organizations to establish priorities align project activities with broader NIF and Laboratory strategies and ensure effective integration with related efforts across organizational boundaries.
• Interact and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders customers sponsors and support organizations on matters of significance to the project and organization and communicate project status risks and resource needs with clarity and strategic focus.
• Lead mentor and develop technical leaders and project team members fostering collaboration accountability innovation and high performance including clarifying team roles and responsibilities and supporting effective coordination approaches such as RACI matrices succession planning and cross-functional team integration.
• Ensure project activities are carried out in accordance with applicable safety security quality and regulatory requirements and that operational engineering and project execution practices support sustained mission success.
• 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 Engineering Physics or related technical field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant experience managing complex technical projects or programs in a highly regulated industrial laboratory defense or similarly specialized environment.
• Significant experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and directing project execution across technical operational and business functions.
• Significant experience developing and implementing project management tools systems and processes including schedule management risk management budget planning performance tracking and change control.
• Significant experience with integrated project scheduling earned value management work breakdown structures and phase-gate or readiness review processes.
• Demonstrated ability and significant experience successfully resolving a  range of complex scientific engineering operational and project execution challenges and developing strategic solutions that improve performance and efficiency.
• Significant experience planning and managing project budgets resources procurements and schedules to achieve defined objectives and sponsor commitments.
• Significant experience interacting with and influencing senior management customers sponsors and other internal and external stakeholders on matters of significance.
• Expert communication facilitation collaboration and problem-solving skills necessary to effectively present explain negotiate influence and advise senior management and stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

• Masters degree in Engineering Physics or a related technical field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Extensive experience managing and successfully delivering multiple parallel projects within a large technical portfolio.
• Extensive knowledge of NIF programs and expertise in laser systems engineering and production or sustainment environments.
• Experience meeting milestones and working collaboratively across NIF programs and the Laboratory.
• Ability to deal effectively with high levels of management within customer organizations such as NNSA/DOE.
• Experience in national laboratory defense nuclear or high-energy physics environments.
• Applied knowledge of Laboratory programs project management processes and NIF mission objectives strategies and operational environment.

Pay Range

$338580 - $431568 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