Group Leader - Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Processing Section

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

$182,310 - $277,344 Annually

$182,310 - $231,180 Annually for the SEL.3 level

$218,700 - $277,344 Annually for the SEL.4 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 openings for a Group Leader in the Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Processing Section (AMMP) within the Materials Engineering Division (MED). You will provide leadership for R&D activities in areas such as Advanced Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Responsive Materials, Functional Materials, Materials Formulation, Polymer Science and Engineering, Microencapsulation, and/or Electrochemistry. You will have a meaningful role in developing successful careers, building a positive working environment, and developing an extraordinary staff to meet program needs. In addition to the Group Leader role, you will be expected to maintain a technical programmatic project assignment within the division. This position is in the Engineering Directorate. 

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week. 

This position 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.

You will 

• Provide leadership, supervision, and technical, strategic, and administrative direction, guidance, and support in accomplishing project/program goals and objectives to a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers.
• Collaborate with Project Leaders to identify workforce needs, lead, carry out, and/or coordinate recruiting, hiring, training, career development, and performance and salary management activities as needed to meet programmatic staffing, employee development, and performance related needs, including providing career counseling, mentoring, and coaching, and monitoring employee performance goals and conducting annual employee performance reviews.
• Establish project objectives, strategies, and technical direction for team, and collaborate with Engineering Center Leaders and Section Leaders to identify and lead complex technical work assignments, by defining work objectives, guiding workload planning for projects among group members, assigning work, remaining aware of complex technical goals, problems and solutions, tracking and monitoring project milestones, and obtaining ongoing performance feedback.
• Provide technical, safety, and security leadership to group personnel and activities, ensuring team compliance with all safety and operational standards. 
• Advise and evaluate staff on the execution of technical work via formal reviews.
• Lead and engage team in thoughtful and comprehensive peer reviews of complex engineering designs, providing expert technical analysis and recommendations for design optimization, and applying advanced knowledge and using innovative methods/technology where applicable to ensure technical excellence. 
• Provide, present, and explain technical updates and give advice to senior leadership, customers, and external sponsors.
• Monitor and influence the work environment to develop employee morale and well-being.
• Provide support to the section leader to address organizational needs.
• Guide the completion of projects and contribute to the development of organizational goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SEL.4 level

• Work with Division Leader and Section Leader to perform high-level goal setting, contribute to strategic planning efforts for long range goals, and to identify new opportunities.
• Develop solutions to highly unusual, highly complex, and/or sensitive issues/problems where the solution path is not known ahead of time, require in-depth analysis of multiple tangible and intangible factors, and involve the creative use of established and/or innovative methods.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for the program at meetings, briefings, design reviews, and committee activities both internal and external to the Laboratory.
• Pilot change by developing new projects or programs, modifying approaches, and/or redefining customer requirements to impact operations or directions, working across stakeholder groups to identify and implement process improvements, and making recommendations and providing strategic technical advice to management and external customers.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical/Material Science/Physics and Engineering, or related technical field or the equivalent combination of education and previous relevant experience.
• Advanced knowledge of and significant experience in one or more of the following technical areas: advanced materials, advanced/additive manufacturing processes and equipment design, manufacturing process optimization, project and system engineering, polymer science, computational design.
• Significant experience collaborating with technical business partners to identify and lead complex technical projects including workforce planning, tracking milestones, and providing performance feedback to involved team members.
• Significant experience giving technical presentations and participating in reviews, identifying technical needs, developing practical approaches, and delivering working solutions for program customers.
• Advanced level problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and implement effective solutions for complex technical challenges.
• Significant experience and demonstrated ability to successfully lead and manage a team of technical staff, including training, coaching, team building, and career and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, responding to changing priorities, ensuring timely and accurate completion of reviews and assessments, and keeping management informed.
• Advanced communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, and advise senior management and external sponsors.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.4 level

• Extensive experience in project planning and highly complex technical leadership.
• Extensive experience developing and implementing creative solutions to a diverse range of highly complex problems.
• Demonstrated track record of success and ability in developing and optimizing strategies to improve technical methodology and operations.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, influence, and advise senior management, external sponsors, and/or key stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical/Bio Engineering, Material Science, Applied Physics and Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with LLNL and Engineering administrative policies, procedures, and design safety practices and standards.
• External technical leadership supported by publication, presentation, patents and research initiative experience.

#LI-Hybrid

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 a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet 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 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.