Design Physics Division Group Leader - 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 for the SEL.4 level

$262,410 - $332,772 Annually for 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 openings for a Group Leader (GL) in the Design Physics Division (DPD). You will provide leadership and oversight to your group, consisting of approximately five to eight group members, potentially including postdocs, who provide discipline expertise to the broad array of program areas in Strategic Deterrence and other LLNL programs.  You will also interface between the Division management team and your group. This position is within the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate.

These positions will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team.  Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

These positions may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options, may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

In this role, you will

• Provide career development and leadership to an interdisciplinary group, participate in determining staffing requirements, and strategically invest in Division personnel to develop an agile, motivated, and well-trained workforce ensuring the highest-quality personnel are recruited and retained.
• Identify and execute Division long-term goals, including the DPD strategic plan, as an active participant on the division’s management team.
• Provide discipline expertise for nuclear-weapon-related physics that includes primary and secondary nuclear design, Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) design, hydro experiments, and computational physics.
• Actively mentor, motivate and coach group members in career planning, technical development and growth.
• Conduct DPD performance appraisals and ranking process.
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new workforce to meet the evolving needs of LLNL Programs in collaboration with the DPD Senior Management Team.
• Actively participate in workforce planning, quality assurance, mentoring, training, reclassification and employee development for the DPD section.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SEL.5 level

• Partner with the Associate Division Leaders and specific program(s) to strategically understand their staffing needs and deliver both new and experienced staff to support them.

• 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 in Physics, Engineering or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant experience and subject matter expertise in research and development related to primary and secondary nuclear design, ICF design, hydro experiments, or simulation code computational physics.
• Leadership experience, including personnel management, in a high-technology research and development environment.
• Knowledge of and experience applying personnel policy and procedures and demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge and understanding in a wide array of situations dealing with staff.
• Experience leading innovative initiatives, building cooperative multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary teams and interacting, negotiating, and sustaining relationships with management, multidisciplinary teams, other divisions and directorates, external collaborators, and sponsors.
• Experience in decision making and the leadership skills necessary to work independently, to work effectively in a team environment, and to oversee the work of others.
• Expert communication skills, both written and verbal, necessary to effectively explain, present, negotiate, advise and influence all levels of management.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.5 level

• Nationally recognized expert in primary and/or secondary design, ICF design, hydro experiments, or computational physics.
• Extensive experience and demonstrated ability to apply, lead, and develop cutting-edge techniques to address challenges of National Security.
• Extensive experience guiding and providing strategic direction for projects to a diverse group of scientists, using expert level communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, influence, and advise senior management and/or external sponsors.

Desired Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Engineering or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Extensive knowledge of the weapons program or other relevant LLNL Programs and of technical research topics relevant to weapon physics and supporting technologies.

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.