Material Control and Accountability (MC&A) Holdup Measurement Manager

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

$168,780 - $256,824 Annually

$168,780 - $214,032 at the SES.3 level

$202,500 - $214,032 at the SES.4 level

This is the lowest to highest salary range in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  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 a Material Control and Accountability (MC&A) Holdup Measurement Manager. In this role, you will provide original solutions and develop innovative methods to address complex and unique Nondestructive Assay (NDA) challenges related to holdup measurements. This requires specialized knowledge and in-depth technical analysis. There may also be opportunities to advance knowledge within the NDA community through collaboration on the development of international NDA standards. This position programmatically supports the Security Organization’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) NA-70 and is part of the Nuclear MC&A Group within the Security Organization of the Operations and Business Directorate. The position will be filled at a level commensurate with the candidate's knowledge and related experience, as determined by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level. 

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.

You will 

• Design and implement the Nuclear Material Holdup Program Plan and maintain oversight of its implementation in support of MC&A activities. 
• Collaborate with the MC&A measurement team to provide technical guidance to Operations in the selection and qualification of NDA instruments for holdup measurements. Additionally, provide technical guidance on the development of measurement methodologies, associated procedures, on-the-job training (OJT), and the holdup program database for recording measurement results. 
• Work with Operations to identify potential holdup measurement locations and provide technical justification for excluding potential locations. 
• Collaborate with the MC&A statistician to develop a statistically based sampling and measurement plan for the holdup program. Identify alternate measurement locations when planned locations are unavailable, ensuring that additional locations are chosen randomly for holdup measurement. 
• Participate in walkdowns and coordinate with Operations to schedule holdup measurements in alignment with the inventory schedule and statistical sampling plan. 
• Collaborate with the MC&A measurement team to identify anomalies and trends in holdup measurement results and notify the cognizant MBA Representatives and MC&A Group Leader promptly when anomalies are identified. 
• Coordinate with the Nuclear Criticality and Safety organization as necessary to align holdup measurement requests. 
• Provide MC&A oversight, audits, and performance testing. 
• Engage independently with LLNL NDA laboratory staff and MC&A personnel at other NNSA, /Department of Energy (DOE) sites with minimal supervision. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.4 level 

• Establish and direct activities to implement solutions for highly complex and not well-defined NDA challenges as a subject matter expert. This involves enabling Laboratory nuclear material operations while ensuring MC&A requirements are met, with consultative direction from MC&A. 
• Collaborate with senior-level MC&A and NDA technical personnel as well as senior managers at other sites to address critical challenges and share expertise. 
• Represent LLNL on NDA collaborative consensus standards writing committees, such as ASTM International, the Institute of Nuclear Material Management, and the American National Standards Institute, contributing to the development of industry standards. 

• This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top-Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency with SCI at the time of hire.
• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. 
• Extensive experience and knowledge of radiation detection instrumentation, gamma-ray isotopic analysis methods, and in-depth technical analysis using advanced NDA measurement methods for gamma-ray and neutron systems and instrumentation. 
• Ability to develop and implement an NDA process holdup measurement program. 
• Advanced knowledge and experience with statistical methods for establishing measurement control criteria applicable to NDA measurement system instrumentation. 
• Significant expertise in assurance activities, including performance testing and assessments, as well as documenting deficiencies and establishing corrective actions. 
• Substantial experience creating procedural documentation and delivering on-the-job training, with advanced verbal, written, and presentation skills. 
• Ability to become a Certified Fissile Material Handler, including meeting medical qualifications to wear respiratory and other personal protective equipment. 
• Capability to secure and maintain certification in the Select Agent Human Reliability Program (SAHRP), which involves physical and psychological assessment as well as random drug and alcohol testing.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level 

• Subject matter expert-level knowledge and substantial experience with highly advanced concepts across multiple NDA techniques. 
• Expert-level application of skills, knowledge, and abilities to develop innovative solutions for highly complex or novel NDA challenges, such as addressing inhomogeneous, unique, or complex isotopic compositions. 
• Exceptional communication skills to effectively advise senior management and/or external stakeholders. 

Qualifications We Desire 

• Master's degree in Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or related field. 
• Technical lead or supervisory authority experience. 
• Certified DOE (Department of Energy) National Training Center (NTC) instructor. 
• Certified in Technical Management and experience providing audit and oversight. 

#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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