Associate Program Leader for Nuclear Detonation Detection - Active Security Clearance Required

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States' security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory's mission.

Pay Range:

$218,700 - $332,772 Annually

$218,700 - $277,344 Annually at the SEL.4 level

$262,410 - $332,772 Annually at 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.

We have an opening for an Associate Program Leader (APL) for Nuclear Detonation Detection (NDD) in the Nonproliferation Research and Development (NPRD) Program. In this role, you will support NPRD's mission to perform innovative research that develops forefront capabilities and expertise to detect foreign nuclear weapons development and testing, verify arms control and nonproliferation agreements, counter nuclear proliferation and terrorism, and respond to nuclear incidents. The Nuclear Detonation Detection (NDD) program area consists of a multi-disciplinary team that utilizes expertise in nuclear explosion monitoring to enable more effective detection, location, and characterization of foreign nuclear weapons detonations, both above and below ground on the Earth, in the Earth's atmosphere, and in outer space. As the APL for NDD, you will be responsible for staffing and mentoring, ensuring consistency and quality, and enabling delivery of technical products across the NDD portfolio. You will work closely with technical leads across NPRD and play a key role in setting program strategy and direction, prioritizing resources to develop new capabilities, and reporting progress and milestones. The APL for NDD will also work with relevant APLs in the Space Science and Security Program (SSSP) to facilitate development of technologies suitable for integration into operational space monitoring and verification systems. As part of the NPRD leadership team, you will work with the Program Leader (PL) and the other APLs to enable and sustain a culture of integration and innovation throughout the program.

This position is within the Global Security Principal Directorate's Nuclear Threat Reduction (N) Program and will programmatically report to the Program Leader (PL) for NPRD. While some funding for sponsor engagement is available from Global Security for this position, most of your assignment will be funded through direct programmatic work.

This position will be filled at either the SEL.4 or SEL.5 level depending on your qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.

In this role, you will

• Provide direct technical leadership, managerial and budgetary oversight, and quality assurance for nuclear detonation detection within the NPRD portfolio. Serve as an interface and coordinate with stakeholders both internal and external to LLNL.
• Lead and coordinate a multi-disciplinary team to apply expertise on nuclear explosion monitoring and to deliver technical products for NDD applications. Facilitate integration across NPRD as part of the leadership team, fostering collaboration and teamwork.
• Contribute as a technical expert within the NDD and broader NPRD portfolio. Identify, guide, and develop new programmatic and research opportunities within the NPRD mission area. Support experimental activities through coordination with internal and external facilities.
• Maintain and ensure appropriate quality standards including reviewing, coordinating, and approving deliverables, publications, and presentations. Promote and maintain a positive image of the Laboratory and strong internal/external customer relationships by ensuring project and program objectives and commitments are met successfully.
• Provide career development support to new and existing staff, including mentoring, on a variety of topics ranging from specific technical areas to project/program management and leadership.
• Support the Program Leader (PL) and the other APLs and technical leads in the development of strategic and program plans, annual budgeting, and execution, while balancing programmatic priorities, resource availability, staffing, security, and safety.
• Serve as the primary liaison between NDD and the Space Science and Security Program (SSSP) to facilitate development of technologies suitable for integration into operational space monitoring and verification systems.
• Engage with the N Program Focus Area Leads to coordinate NDD activities managed by other PLs and APLs throughout N Program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SEL.5 level

• Develop and integrate innovative cross-cutting capabilities and advancements for nuclear detonation detection serving multiple programmatic missions.
• Influence strategic vision and implementation plans for senior management and external stakeholders to meet the broad needs of the U.S. nonproliferation mission.
• Champion new processes and cultivate relationships for personnel recruiting, training, mentoring, development, and retention. Encourage and enable integration of staff across varying programmatic areas of NPRD, N Program, and the larger GS and LLNL communities.
• Cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships with external organizations, including academic institutions, national laboratories, government agencies, and experimental facilities.

• 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.
• Master's degree in physical science, engineering, computer science or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated advanced expertise in one or more areas related to nuclear explosion monitoring, including nuclear physics/engineering and/or geophysics.
• Extensive experience in one or more areas related to nuclear explosion monitoring, including experimental operations involving complex field work.
• Knowledge of operational applications of nuclear monitoring technology to problems of national and international concern.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and team-building skills to develop and nurture effective relationships, work effectively with partners at other organizations and laboratories across multiple technical disciplines and program functions, lead collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams, and represent NPRD/NDD activities to internal and external sponsor, stakeholders, and all levels of management.
• Substantial experience managing multiple projects of evolving and varying priority, including advanced delegation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to foster an effective environment for teams to achieve programmatic and institutional goals.
• Significant experience cultivating successful and productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.5 level

• Ph.D. in physical science, engineering, computer science or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Extensive knowledge of the signatures of nuclear explosions and experience as a nuclear detonation detection subject-matter expert and practitioner.
• Expert knowledge of nuclear detonation detection instrumentation and characterization techniques with application to the nuclear nonproliferation mission. Extensive experience and ability to lead assessments and analyses of nuclear detonation concerns and threats.
• Advanced ability to develop innovative concepts and to provide expert leadership, management, technical vision, and strategic planning for nuclear detonation detection activities.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and enable opportunities for integration, collaboration, and program development with the internal LLNL Science and Technology community, as well as the broad external Science and Technology community in support of the nonproliferation mission.
• Expert-level leadership and communication skills to provide guidance and support for senior management decisions and planning processes.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience performing work at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) and understanding of site policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of current NPRD experimental activities at the NNSS.
• Familiarity with LLNL's mission, values, and operational procedures.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.If you are selected, we willinitiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. 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 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.

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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.

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