Space Optomechanical Systems Group Leader - Active Clearance Required

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

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

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 Security’s 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.
• Bachelor’s 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

• Master's 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

$227,430 - $346,140 Annually

$227,430 - $288,396 Annually for the SEL.4 level

$272,970 - $346,140 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 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.

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

Security 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.

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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.

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Organization: EngineeringCategory: EngineeringJob Code 2: SEL.5 Science & Engineering TSL 5Employee Referral Bonus: Not applicableJob Code 1: SEL.4 Science & Engineering TSL 4Pre-Employment Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)Pre-Placement Medical Exam: Not applicableSecurity Clearance: Active DOE Q clearance (or active Top Secret clearance) with Sensitive Compartmented Information accessPosition Type: Career Indefinite