High-Power Laser Systems Engineering and Operations Manager

Overview Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world‑changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. Our mission spans four critical national security areas—nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi‑domain defense—empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact. Job Description Do you want to lead a large multidisciplinary organization responsible for some of the world's most complex, high‑performance laser systems while enabling groundbreaking national security science? The National Ignition Facility (NIF), the world's largest and most energetic laser, is seeking a dynamic High‑Power Laser Systems Engineering and Operations Manager to lead the Laser and Alignment Systems Engineering Section in support of safe, reliable operations, strong system performance, critical maintenance, and future capability enhancements. This role offers a unique opportunity to apply your leadership, engineering judgment, and strategic vision at one of the world's most advanced scientific facilities. You will oversee a large organization of engineers and technicians responsible for the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement of critical laser, diagnostic, pulsed power, and alignment systems that support NIF. This includes both engineering sustainment and round‑the‑clock operational readiness for systems essential to mission execution. As the High‑Power Laser Systems Engineering and Operations Manager, you will lead a multidisciplinary technical team responsible for the safe operations, optimized system performance, and reliable, high‑availability execution, while driving upgrades and engineering improvements needed to meet future mission requirements and increasing shot‑rate demands. You will provide direct leadership in organizational development, workforce planning, technical direction, and resource management to sustain and enhance operational excellence across a broad portfolio of complex systems. Operating under broad organizational direction, you will exercise independent judgment in establishing section objectives, setting priorities, allocating resources, and resolving complex engineering and operational challenges. This position is in 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 Establish section priorities, work plans, long‑term objectives, and resource allocation to ensure the safe operation, system performance, reliability, and readiness of laser, as well as ensure that diagnostic, pulsed power, and alignment systems support the NIF experimental schedule, future mission requirements, and increasing shot‑rate demands. Provide technical leadership and management of a large multidisciplinary organization of approximately 90 engineers, technicians, and technical leaders responsible for operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, upgrades and readiness of complex mission‑critical systems. Manage multiple technically challenging operational and engineering efforts with competing priorities, working to improve safety, system performance, reliability, maintainability, shot availability, and efficient round‑the‑clock operational readiness in support of NIF shot execution. Manage personnel performance, workforce planning, career development, and succession planning, in partnership with discipline organizations, to sustain organizational capability and support long‑term mission success. Direct maintenance, reliability and lifecycle sustainment strategies for assigned complex systems, including risk reduction, obsolescence management, and continuous improvement of equipment, processes, and operational practices to sustain high‑availability execution and enable future capability enhancements. Collaborate and partner closely with the Laser Science Systems Engineering organization and other NIF sections to align system‑level requirements, operational plans, troubleshooting efforts, and new capability upgrades with overall mission objectives. Interact and coordinate with, report and make recommendations to, influence, and negotiate with senior management and internal and external customers and sponsors regarding the progress, readiness, performance, and future needs of systems supporting NIF operations and mission execution. Oversee, analyze, and evaluate technical and operational progress of projects and work activities within the section and across organizational interfaces to ensure goals, objectives, schedules, and performance expectations are met. Exercise independent judgment in resolving complex engineering and operational issues while balancing technical, schedule, staffing, and budget considerations to meet mission requirements. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship. Bachelor's degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or another related technical field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. Expert knowledge of and extensive experience with leadership, management, and organizational development principles to lead and achieve unit objectives and meet Laboratory, Department of Energy (DOE), and customer/sponsor requirements. Extensive experience effectively planning and directing work and strategies involving technical objectives, estimating effort, setting milestones, and managing within a designated budget. Expert technical knowledge and extensive operational experience with complex laser, pulsed power, alignment, electro‑mechanical, or similarly complex engineered systems in a high‑consequence environment. Extensive experience in complex work control, safety systems, risk assessment, maintenance strategy, and quality assurance. Extensive experience effectively establishing organizational priorities, interpreting operational objectives, and exercising judgment in the use of resources to meet mission requirements. Demonstrated ability and extensive experience successfully resolving a diverse and complex range of project execution challenges. Expert communication, facilitation, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills necessary to effectively present and explain information, direct an organization, build cooperative multi‑disciplinary teams, and interact with and advise management and customers/sponsors on a wide variety of management‑level technical and complex issues. Qualifications We Desire Master's degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related technical field. Experience with high‑power laser systems, pulsed power systems, precision optical alignment systems, or similarly complex technical systems. Strong systems engineering experience including risk management, reliability engineering, and lifecycle sustainment. Experience supporting maintenance and operations in high‑availability research, defense, industrial, or national security facilities. Experience leading large multidisciplinary technical organizations in a 24/7 operational environment. Experience partnering across organizational boundaries where system‑level performance ownership and operational execution responsibilities are shared. Familiarity with safety and quality requirements in high‑consequence environments. Pay Range $282,210 - $359,700 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 employee's 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. Position Information This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates. Benefits 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 - Security 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 matters. 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. 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. Equal 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory