Explosives Operations Manager - Active Security Clearance Required

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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

$271,320 - $345,840 Annually for the TSM.1 Level

This is the lowest to highest salary in good faith 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 Explosives Operations Manager responsible for the management and oversight of the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate’s high explosives facilities. You will be responsible for managing explosive facility operations in support of LLNL programmatic missions. Responsibilities also include participating in the development and management of the SD Operations and Maintenance budget. This position reports programmatically to the Strategic Deterrence Associate Deputy Director (ADDO) for Operations and administratively is in the SD Facilities & Operations Support Division within the Strategic Deterrence Directorate

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

In this role you will 

• Provide technical leadership and direction through supervisors and managers in the management and deployment of technical experts in various aspects of assuring safe and efficient facility operations, such as: DOE Orders and applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; Quality Assurance; Facility Safety Basis; Training; Conduct of Operations; and Configuration Management.
• Provide oversight to Facility Managers in assuring personnel working in their facilities are provided the requisite training, resources, and tools to plan and execute programmatic and facility work activities safely and efficiently.
• Advice, counsel, and assist the SD ADDO in developing both a tactical and strategic approach for integrating personnel, resources, facilities, and equipment investments consistent with the SD programmatic mission.
• Partner with the Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance organizations across LLNL to establish a framework to continually assess, prioritize and execute both short and long-term institutional needs that will ensure the viability of the SD explosive enterprise.
• Collaborate with SD and LLNL senior management and explosives facility managers to develop and implement strategic plans, ensure resources, staffing and capabilities are sufficient to meet current mission goals and anticipated future activities.
• Represent the PAD on institutional oversight and action-oriented committee, comprised of senior management, both internal and external, and pertaining to operations, facilities, security, and ES&H.
• Influence management and stakeholders in the development and integration of business and operational policies and procedures to ensure operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Manage budgets for SD explosive facilities; develop and implement cost-saving initiatives for improving equipment reliability and safety.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• 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.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related scientific discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Extensive experience with high hazard facilities, including but not limited to, design, construction, commissioning, operating, maintaining, modifying, and decommissioning/disposal.
• Significant leadership and management experience over a large-scale, mission-oriented enterprise consisting of multiple organizations with varying levels of oversight and management required.
• Extensive experience managing operations, including but not limited to, facilities, human resources, procurement, and ES&H within a large, multi-disciplined organization.
• Experience with safety policies and procedures to identify hazardous conditions and operations with proven ability to take appropriate action to correct or eliminate the hazard and to assure appropriate procedures, training, equipment, warnings, tools and resources are provided to personnel.
• Extensive knowledge of DOE policies, procedures, regulations, and standards, including DOE Order 422.1 Conduct of Operations and DOE Standard, Explosives Safety, DOE-STD-1212.
• Experience in organizational problem-solving, decision-making and leadership skills necessary to independently advise, counsel, recommend and develop solutions on a wide variety of management-level technical and operational issues.
• Extensive experience and comprehensive knowledge of management practices in planning, overseeing, and executing budgets and a proven ability to effectively balance operational and budget priorities to achieve desired results.
• Expert communication skills, over a wide range of topic areas, both written and verbal, necessary to effectively explain, facilitate, present, negotiate, advise, and influence all levels of management, to both internal and external organizations such as DOE, NNSA, etc.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in Engineering or related scientific discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience as an Explosives Handler; Senior or Master Handler qualification preferred.

#LI-Onsite

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.

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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. 

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