Manager II - Dynamic Experiments

The Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) is a key R&D innovator that provides the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and other government organizations with capabilities that address Department of Energy and Department of Defense national security requirements. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the laboratory is a unique satellite location within the NNSS and is responsive to NNSA nuclear security mission requirements and broader national security objectives. At STL “problem solving is in the DNA,” using a multidisciplinary team of experts composed of scientists, engineers, technicians, facilities specialists, academic collaborators, and professional support staff.

STL is seeking outstanding candidates for a Manager II to work at STL located in Santa Barbara, CA. This position will support STL's core portfolios in Dynamic Experiments, Nonproliferation Research and Development, Cyber Physical Defense, and Strategic Systems and Intelligence by applying advanced data science techniques to complex problems.

The Manager will report to the Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) Director and will oversee the Dynamic Experiments portfolio and capability at STL. This includes managing the facilities and staff engaged in the development of advanced measurement techniques and specialized instrumentation in support of NA-10, NA-20, selected SPP, and SDRD priorities.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Maintain staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees; maintaining a safe, secure, and legal work environment; developing personal growth opportunities.
• Accomplish staff results by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; developing, coordinating, and enforcing systems, policies, procedures, and productivity standards.
• Direct and maintain responsibility for programmatic phases for experimental physics; the total value of which is approximately $5M annually.
• Provide expert guidance and direction to staff members involved with experimental physics R&D projects.
• Monitor and report on program and staff performance metrics, such as Earned Value metrics.
• Have responsibility for planning and coordination of budget, execution, and resource allocation with peers and Project Managers on the cost, schedule and technical performance of applicable project work.
• Serves as supervisor and partners with and facilitates collaboration between execution and sponsor organizations.
• Understand and anticipate potential problem areas, related to STL/NNSS work, that will delay or prevent successful project execution; coordinate with the Integrated Project Teams, national laboratories, program offices and sites of the NNSS Global Security Directorate to mitigate problem areas.
• Coordinate the preparation of proposals, execution plans, work statements and specifications using expert knowledge of relevant scientific concepts and methods.
• Successfully negotiate and de-conflict use of NNSS facilities, staffing efforts, and resources for the experimental physics project work requested by multiple requestors.
• Act as primary customer contact for program activities, leading program review sessions with customer to discuss cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Coordinate with the Global Security Program Offices and Sites to establish milestones and monitor adherence to master plans and schedules. Successfully adapt to the needs and objectives of programs in order to ensure project success and a positive experience.
• Coordinate with other program units to plan resource allocation, identify program problems, and identify solutions, such as allocation of resources or changing contractual specifications.
• Direct the work and performance of employees assigned.
• Coordinate and serve as point of contact for project data and technical reporting.
• Lead and coordinate planning for maintaining strategic capabilities and critical equipment.
• This is a 20%-time position, and the remainder of the candidate’s time would be expected to be covered by existing direct or indirect research activities.
• Perform other duties assigned by Management.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent training and experience, plus a minimum of 14 years of related and progressively responsible experience.
• Prior experience as technical project lead on one or more Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) or National Laboratory projects preferred.
• Prior technical experience in a scientific or engineering field relevant to shock physics, high speed optical diagnostics development, high temperature and pressure materials physics, or high-explosives materials experimentation is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated excellence managing diverse teams of scientists, engineers, and support personnel in the execution of scientific R&D is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to be creative and deliver upon objectives with limited pre-defined guidance.
• Working knowledge of Earned Value Management is desired.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NNSS processes and procedures such as: Real Estate Operating Permits (REOPs), Work Packages, Authorization Basis, Overflight Permissions, Estimating Procedures and Construction Activities etc. is preferred.
• The primary work location will be at the Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) located in Santa Barbara, CA.
• Flexible work schedule can be negotiated with the manager; employees can work 5/8s, 9/80 or 4/10s work-weeks.
• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted. Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709, “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

Annual salary range for this position is: $155,209.60 - $248,331.20.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The NNSS is an enterprise of special-purpose, multi-mission, high-hazard experimentation facilities delivering technical and service solutions in partnership with the National Laboratories. Our collaborative work supports the government’s most important national security missions. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 3,000+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.

• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell Aerospace, Amentum, and HII Nuclear Inc.