What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Laboratory Director for Weapons Engineering position at Los Alamos National Laboratory?
What You Will Do
Join Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and help shape the future of national security. This is an opportunity for an exceptional leader to oversee the Associate Laboratory Director for Weapons Engineering (ALDW), as Chief Weapons Engineer with over $1B in program budget authority and a staff of over 1300 engineers, scientists, and support staff. The directorate is projected to be relatively stable over the next few years. Reporting to the Deputy Laboratory Director for Weapons (DDW), ALDW serves as a member of the Laboratory's leadership team and leads the directorate responsible for integrating the stockpile stewardship program and executing weapons engineering and testing in support of the Laboratory's critical mission. The successful candidate will lead 6 divisions and 6 offices.
This directorate provides the engineering and integration of the Nuclear Explosive Package in those systems for which Los Alamos is the lead physics lab. In doing so, it is responsible for setting the engineering requirements for the weapon systems, execution and analysis of any required experiments, operation of the explosive facilities at LANL and at NNSS including the Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test facility, supervision of the Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility, performing the annual assessment of the stockpile systems, and assessing the adequacy of weapon products from the nuclear security production plants.
The Chief Weapons Engineer holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring LANL's nuclear weapon components and systems meet Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Defense (DOD) requirements throughout all phases of the nuclear weapon life cycle. The Chief Weapons Engineer collaborates with other senior leaders and reports directly to and is accountable to the Laboratory Deputy Director For Weapons (DDW). As the senior technical authority, the Chief Weapons Engineer leads the design, engineering, certification, and maintenance of nuclear weapons systems. The role sets the technical standards for LANL's nuclear weapons programs, establishes rigorous processes, and ensures emerging information and technologies are thoroughly evaluated. This position directly impacts the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent. This position requires an individual with exceptional technical, operational, and leadership skills to lead an exceptional workforce and provide critical engineering judgement to the complex.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Technical Leadership
Demonstrated successful experience as a senior leader of a large, operationally complex, technical organization delivering on a nationally significant program portfolio in a highly regulated environment; strategic and tactical planning and execution; customer service; design quality; continuous improvement; and management systems such as safety, security, configuration management; and conduct of operations. Demonstrated ability to lead and manage large engineering organizations and represent complex technical presentations to diverse audiences.
Engineering Excellence
Expert working knowledge of systems engineering spanning analysis, product definition, engineering RDT&E, and safety. Demonstrated familiarity with the design and execution of complex engineering and physics experiments.
Personal Leadership
Strong leadership characteristics including integrity and accountability, fiduciary responsibility, commitment to quality and excellence in programs and operations, commitment to workforce diversity and human resource development. Demonstrated experience with leading change in a large organization. Demonstrated ability to attract and retain engineering, conduct-of-operations and program management leadership and expertise.
NNSA and National Security Enterprise Collaboration
Demonstrated success working across the NNSA complex and the broader Nuclear Security Enterprise.
Disciplined Operations
Demonstrated ability to facilitate a safety conscious work environment.
Coalition Building
Demonstrated ability to build and grow both internal and external relationships with a variety of constituencies, other R&D organizations, high level managers, direct reports, and other employees. Ability to accelerate growth of engineering capabilities including the areas of requirement engineering and management, systems engineering, production engineering, and quality engineering.
Communication
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of personnel, both internal and external to LANL.
Compliance and Security
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing plans or programs to meet or exceed contractual requirements, performance measures, regulations, and laws including the proven ability to do so while operating in a highly sensitive or classified environment.
Education
This position requires a master's degree in physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Material Science, or related technical field and minimum of 15 years or experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications:
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Note to Applicants: Along with your resume, please include a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet the job requirements and desired skills.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q/SCI (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2 and then option 3.
Join Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and help shape the future of national security. This is an opportunity for an exceptional leader to oversee the Associate Laboratory Director for Weapons Engineering (ALDW), as Chief Weapons Engineer with over $1B in program budget authority and a staff of over 1300 engineers, scientists, and support staff. The directorate is projected to be relatively stable over the next few years. Reporting to the Deputy Laboratory Director for Weapons (DDW), ALDW serves as a member of the Laboratory's leadership team and leads the directorate responsible for integrating the stockpile stewardship program and executing weapons engineering and testing in support of the Laboratory's critical mission. The successful candidate will lead 6 divisions and 6 offices.
This directorate provides the engineering and integration of the Nuclear Explosive Package in those systems for which Los Alamos is the lead physics lab. In doing so, it is responsible for setting the engineering requirements for the weapon systems, execution and analysis of any required experiments, operation of the explosive facilities at LANL and at NNSS including the Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test facility, supervision of the Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility, performing the annual assessment of the stockpile systems, and assessing the adequacy of weapon products from the nuclear security production plants.
The Chief Weapons Engineer holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring LANL's nuclear weapon components and systems meet Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Defense (DOD) requirements throughout all phases of the nuclear weapon life cycle. The Chief Weapons Engineer collaborates with other senior leaders and reports directly to and is accountable to the Laboratory Deputy Director For Weapons (DDW). As the senior technical authority, the Chief Weapons Engineer leads the design, engineering, certification, and maintenance of nuclear weapons systems. The role sets the technical standards for LANL's nuclear weapons programs, establishes rigorous processes, and ensures emerging information and technologies are thoroughly evaluated. This position directly impacts the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent. This position requires an individual with exceptional technical, operational, and leadership skills to lead an exceptional workforce and provide critical engineering judgement to the complex.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Technical Leadership
Demonstrated successful experience as a senior leader of a large, operationally complex, technical organization delivering on a nationally significant program portfolio in a highly regulated environment; strategic and tactical planning and execution; customer service; design quality; continuous improvement; and management systems such as safety, security, configuration management; and conduct of operations. Demonstrated ability to lead and manage large engineering organizations and represent complex technical presentations to diverse audiences.
Engineering Excellence
Expert working knowledge of systems engineering spanning analysis, product definition, engineering RDT&E, and safety. Demonstrated familiarity with the design and execution of complex engineering and physics experiments.
Personal Leadership
Strong leadership characteristics including integrity and accountability, fiduciary responsibility, commitment to quality and excellence in programs and operations, commitment to workforce diversity and human resource development. Demonstrated experience with leading change in a large organization. Demonstrated ability to attract and retain engineering, conduct-of-operations and program management leadership and expertise.
NNSA and National Security Enterprise Collaboration
Demonstrated success working across the NNSA complex and the broader Nuclear Security Enterprise.
Disciplined Operations
Demonstrated ability to facilitate a safety conscious work environment.
Coalition Building
Demonstrated ability to build and grow both internal and external relationships with a variety of constituencies, other R&D organizations, high level managers, direct reports, and other employees. Ability to accelerate growth of engineering capabilities including the areas of requirement engineering and management, systems engineering, production engineering, and quality engineering.
Communication
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of personnel, both internal and external to LANL.
Compliance and Security
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing plans or programs to meet or exceed contractual requirements, performance measures, regulations, and laws including the proven ability to do so while operating in a highly sensitive or classified environment.
Education
This position requires a master's degree in physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Material Science, or related technical field and minimum of 15 years or experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications:
- Successful record of working with local, state, and national governments in communicating complex institutional messages.
- Given the nature of the work, demonstrated familiarity with engineering analysis and product is desired, as is familiarity with applicable DOE safety orders.
- Demonstrated experience with DOE Safety and security orders, interfacing with Laboratory management and a broad knowledge of operations and activities at the NNSA laboratories.
- An active DOE "Q" (Top Secret) Clearance
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Note to Applicants: Along with your resume, please include a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet the job requirements and desired skills.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
- Dental and vision insurance
- Free basic life and disability insurance
- Paid childbirth and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q/SCI (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
- Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
- 712.11. These requirements include on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2 and then option 3.
