This position is open for both internal and external candidates to apply.
What You Will Do
The Detonator Production (DP) Division is the premier Production Agency (PA) responsible for manufacturing War Reserve (WR) detonators in support of the Nation's nuclear stockpile. As part of LANL's Weapons Production Directorate, DP executes high-rigor manufacturing operations to produce precision, safe, and reliable WR products.
DP partners closely with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the Design Agencies (LANL, Sandia National Laboratories, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), and internal program offices to deliver on critical national security objectives. The Division is committed to operational excellence, technical rigor, safety and security, continuous improvement, and a respectful workplace culture.
DP is seeking a highly qualified leader to serve as the Group Leader for the Product Engineering Group (DP-1).
The DP-1 Group Leader is responsible for a group of engineers who are the direct technical interface to the design agency. DP-1 engineers serve as the PA's PRT (Product Realization Team) lead during the development, qualification and production phases of the product life cycle. The group ensures timely completion of production and development programs; establishes technical requirements; and participates in cross-functional teams in planning, tracking, and executing programs from initiation through completion.
The Group Leader ensures programs adhere to the Defense Programs Business Process System requirements, including the nuclear weapon product realization process and NNSA Weapon Quality Policy (NAP 401.1A). This role serves as the primary technical interface between DP Division, design agencies, NNSA, and other external stakeholders. This position reports directly to the DP Division Leader.
Program and Project Leadership
Lead execution of WR and development detonator programs in partnership with project leaders, process engineers and Design Agencies.
Ensure compliance with enterprise requirements, including product realization and quality standards.
Guide effective coordination of component development, qualification, and production execution activities within DP and across the Nuclear Weapons Enterprise.
Personnel and Organizational Leadership
Foster a culture aligned with Laboratory Values and Behaviors.
Promote a respectful, inclusive workplace that values diversity and collaboration.
Continuous Improvement and Strategic Initiatives
Support manufacturing and inspection process improvements.
Participate in root cause investigations and corrective action implementation.
Enterprise and Customer Interface
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with NNSA, Design Agencies, program offices, and internal stakeholders.
Deliver clear, concise briefings and written communications to senior leadership and external partners.
Balance multiple program priorities while aligning with institutional objectives.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Leadership/ Management: Advanced supervisory experience with an excellent and demonstrable record of successful team building, collaboration, and leadership in a challenging manufacturing environment. Knowledge of, and demonstrated successful experience in, management, supervision, mentorship, and professional development of employees.
Technical Knowledge: Expert knowledge of engineering processes and principles as applied to nuclear weapon components. Thorough understanding and knowledge with NNSA's Weapon Quality Policy, NAP 401.1A or comparable quality standards.
Technical Experience: Demonstrated experience in electro-explosive device (EED) product qualification within the Nuclear Weapons Enterprise.
Program/Project Management: Proven success developing product manufacturing flows, managing risk, and coordinating across multiple organizations. Experience balancing resources across concurrent production campaigns.
Strategic Planning: Experience defining project scope and planning efforts in collaboration with Design Agencies (LANL, LLNL, SNL), subject matter experts, project leaders, and program managers.
Communication: Demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills with all levels of management and personnel, including negotiating, influencing, conflict resolution, consensus building, oral presentation, and written communications. Demonstrated experience in developing and nurturing effective working relationships with customers.
Problem Solving: Advanced experience in effective decision-making and creative problem-solving including skills in researching and recommending alternative solutions to problems. Expert knowledge of, and successfully demonstrated experience in, developing, implementing, and managing innovation and process improvements.
Customer Focus: Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective internal and external customer relationships.
Education/Experience : Position requires a bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution and 8 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:
Familiarity with DOE/NNSA National Security Enterprise sites and business practices.
Experience with DOE classification directives.
Demonstrated knowledge of the Defense Programs Business Process System, including the nuclear weapon product realization process and engineering authorizations.
Master of Science degree in engineering discipline such as manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, materials, nuclear, aerospace, or chemical engineering
Active DOE Q Clearance
Note to Applicants: Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
For full consideration, submit a comprehensive resume reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above.
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.
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)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2 (https://directives.nnsa.doe.gov/supplemental-directive/sd-0206-0002) . 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 (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 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-BOrder-chg1-pgchg) for additional information.
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 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) 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. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as 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 applicable federal, state and local 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 (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.
