Hydrodynamic Design and Test Groups Group Leader - Active 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

$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 multiple openings for Group Leader within the Hydrodynamic Design and Test Groups with administrative responsibility for engineers supporting multiple experimental programs and technology development efforts. Examples of supported projects and programs include advanced manufacturing capability development using additive manufacturing, Weapon Survivability (WS) program, Weapon Technologies and Engineering (WTE) program, and supporting Sub Critical Experiments projects for the Weapon Physics Design (WPD) program. As a line supervisor, your responsibilities will complement your assigned programmatic activities. You will work with program leadership to identify current engineering capability gaps and develop a broad range of technical staff to meet these needs. These positions will be in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), within the Engineering Directorate.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may 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 and strategies for technical team and collaborate with project principals and group personnel in guiding workload planning for projects among group members, assigning work, and remaining aware of complex technical goals, problems, and solutions.
• Develop group staff capabilities and effectiveness for current and future programmatic assignments. 
• Exercise advanced level skills in the application and development of engineering best practices, and/or business principles, and theories, concepts, and techniques for the development of hardware subject to extreme environments with significant safety implications.
• Lead and engage team in comprehensive peer reviews of complex engineering designs, providing expert technical analysis and recommendations for design optimization, applying advanced knowledge, and using innovative methods/technology where applicable to ensure technical excellence.
• Monitor performance required to meet programmatic milestones and deliverables, respond to unexpected occurrences, and lead and advise on corrective actions where necessary.
• Provide technical, safety, and security leadership to group personnel and activities, ensuring team compliance with all safety and operational standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SEL.4 level 

• Serve as a subject matter expert for the program at meetings, briefings, design reviews, and committee activities both internal and external to the Laboratory.
• Develop, set, and implement broad project vision and strategy using creativity and innovation to lead the application and development of principles, theories, and concepts supporting program priorities.
• 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, recommend, and implement process improvements.
• Provide strategic technical advice to management and external customers.
• Serve on external scientific or technical committees, positively representing the program and the Laboratory.
• Utilize expert level problem solving skills and experience to effectively resolve highly complex issues.   
• Mentor staff across the organization, including other mentors.

• 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 technical field, or the equivalent level of education and related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of and significant experience with several of the following areas: hardware engineering, fabrication, testing, high explosives, nuclear materials, high speed diagnostics, and fielding experiments. Demonstrated proficiency with project work planning, scheduling, cost estimating, managing budgets, risk analysis, and project reporting.
• Significant experience providing project leadership and demonstrated ability to successfully lead work in a technical or scientific environment, as well as mentor career staff from different disciplines.
• Advanced level problem solving skills, with the ability to develop and implement effective solutions to complex technical challenges.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information and provide advice to management.
• Effective leadership, interpersonal, and supervisory skills to lead personnel, effectively write performance appraisals, and actively participate in staff alignment sessions.
• Advanced facilitation and collaboration skills necessary to promote and maintain productive relationships across programs and directorates.
• 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 level organizational skills, and advanced knowledge and significant experience with project management tools and techniques.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.4 level

• Expert knowledge of, and significant experience in engineering design principles and tools for program execution.
• Extensive experience in the leadership of personnel for technical projects, including establishing staffing pipelines and technical mentorship across a broad range of activities.
• 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 and external sponsors.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master's degree in Engineering or related fields.
• Broad knowledge of Laboratory policies and practices.
• Knowledgeable in one or more of the following areas: Sub Critical Experiment projects, fielding experiments at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), confinement methods for testing high explosives, weapon survivability experiments, additive manufacturing techniques utilizing metals, laser driven experimental techniques, and diagnostic methods for high-speed experiments.
• Ability to obtain and maintain qualification in the Laboratory Human Reliability Program (HRP).

#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 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.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

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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.

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