Advanced Photonic Systems Section Manager - 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 are seeking an Advanced Photonic Systems Section Manager for the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directed Energy Technology Programs (DETP). You will lead advanced photonic system modeling, design, build, and testing projects, oversee business development, project planning with external sponsors, and manage execution of high‑impact photonic system initiatives. You will collaborate across Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), NIF&PS PAD, and DETP, leveraging institutional strengths to deliver successful projects and influence strategic investments. 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. You will Lead teams, programs, or functions with a technical focus, operate under broad consultative direction with significant autonomy, use expert knowledge and extensive team leadership experience, and exercise judgment within established policies to monitor workflow, allocate resources, ensure timely completion of projects, and influence and direct high‑level strategic plans to achieve objectives while managing organizational and operational impact and attaining long‑range goals. Oversee project execution for Radio Frequency (RF) photonic system projects within DETP by ensuring technical objectives, milestones, and deliverables are met on time and within budget, with significant impact on Laboratory objectives and sponsor relationships. Lead and facilitate highly complex, high‑impact business development activities for the Advanced Photonic Systems Section including identifying new sponsors and growing relationships with existing sponsors to advance Laboratory programs. Establish and drive project vision and strategy with external sponsors, setting scope, schedule, and budget for future efforts in collaboration with stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with long‑range organizational targets. Provide direct leadership and direction for multi‑disciplinary project teams, ensuring adherence to safety, security, and quality standards, and serving as a primary technical and managerial contact for large projects/programs. Exercise judgment and influence in recommending institutional indirect S&T and capability investments, aligning resources and priorities with organizational strategy and long‑range Laboratory direction. Partner and negotiate across LLNL, NIF&PS PAD, and DETP to build successful projects by leveraging institutional capabilities, fostering effective partnerships, and influencing Laboratory and sponsor priorities. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications Active DOE Q clearance (or active Top Secret clearance) with ability to obtain Sensitive Compartmented Information access. Master's degree in Science, Engineering, Physics, or related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Extensive experience in business development, project planning, management, and execution oversight for advanced photonic system projects with significant impact on organizational objectives. Extensive experience of advanced photonic systems including state‑of‑the‑art high speed, high dynamic range, low noise signal processing for transmitters and receivers. Proven leadership and direction of large, multi‑disciplinary project teams, with demonstrated verbal and written communication, collaboration, budgeting, and problem‑solving skills necessary to influence and advise senior management and external sponsors. Extensive experience advising and influencing on strategic technical decisions and institutional investments. Demonstrated experience working across organizations to build successful, innovative projects and programs. Extensive experience with managing conflicting priorities and meeting deadlines in a fast‑paced environment with significant autonomy and judgment. Willingness to travel nationally and internationally for programmatic and scientific meetings. Qualifications We Desire Ph.D. in Science, Engineering, Physics, or related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience and extensive experience and demonstrated ability to champion, lead, and develop innovative cutting‑edge principles, theories and concepts. Experience with NIF&PS DETP and Strategic Partnerships Projects. Experience collaborating with DoW, DoE, US Industry, Federally Funded Research and Development centers (FFRDCs), and/or University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs). Familiarity with RF photonic engineering, scientific facility operations, and strategic planning. Pay Range $272,970 - $346,140 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. Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory? Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor! FlexibleBenefits 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. 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 useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices. Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate 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: Equal Employment Opportunity We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. 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