Associate Program Leader for Aqueous and Analytical Chemistry - 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 -$277,344 Annually for the SEL.4 level

$262,410-,$332,772 Annually for the SEL.5 level 

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

We have an opening in the Nuclear Materials Program for an Associate Program Leader (APL) for Aqueous and Analytical Chemistry to lead LLNL programmatic activities in aqueous recovery and analytical chemistry. The successful candidate will ensure that the team meets programmatic objectives on schedule while maintaining safe and compliant operations.  You will work in a highly complex environment that requires a disciplined and tenacious work style, extensive foresight and planning, and a collaborative spirit. This position is in the Materials Science Division, supporting the Superblock within Strategic Deterrence (SD).

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.

You will 

• Provide technical direction to the development of capabilities that address unique technical issues; exercise a high level of independent judgment in the development and deployment of innovative technologies.
• Ensure programmatic objectives are met by operations performed in full compliance with the ES&H Manual, the facility Documented Safety Analyses (DSA) and Facility Safety Plan (FSP), and applicable Work Control Documents (WCDs).
• Plan the integration and implementation of new programs.
• Lead the development of novel technologies in a highly regulated environment.
• Establish milestones, develop schedules, track progress, and provide regular updates to program leadership, stakeholders, and sponsors.
• Solve complex resourcing/technical problems that have significant impacts on costs and schedules.
• Mentor early-career investigators, experienced project scientists, and technicians.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SEL.5 level

• Influence strategic technical decisions made by senior management and external sponsors.
• Identify/forecast areas of weak subject matter expertise and recruit/assign/train personnel as appropriate to strengthen operational readiness.
• Serve as a Superblock spokesperson to Laboratory management, external advisors and sponsors.
• Serve on external scientific or technical committees, representing the Laboratory.

• 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 of Science degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Forensic Science or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant experience in nuclear materials aqueous processing, data analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
• Expert  leadership experience in the planning and managing of projects executed by multidisciplinary teams of experts.
• Proven leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, as demonstrated by the ability to present highly complex technical topics to management, sponsors, and regulators effectively.
• Ability to independently assess abnormal situations with a high consequence of error and recommend/approve appropriate actions.
• Ability to secure and maintain certification in the Human Reliability Program (HRP), which includes polygraph examination, physical and psychological assessment, and random drug and alcohol testing.

• Additional qualifications at the SEL.5

• Expert knowledge of nuclear materials chemical processing and analysis.
• Recognized ability to lead the development/improvement of nuclear materials aqueous processes and analyses.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, influence, and advise senior management and external sponsors.
• Extensive experience and expert technical knowledge to address advancements that may have impacts beyond the Laboratory.
• Substantial experience working effectively with DOE and other sponsors, subject matter expert-level knowledge of DOE regulations and orders pertaining to nuclear material technologies, technical expertise with nuclear materials processing, and demonstrated understanding of operational and experimental safety issues.

• Qualifications We Desire

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Advanced knowledge of state-of-the-art nuclear materials aqueous processing and analysis.
• Experience in nuclear facility management, conduct of operations in a nuclear facility, and/or experience as a Fissile Material Handler.

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!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

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 use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate 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: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

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.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.