Associate Section Manager for Operations in the Target and Experimental Systems (TExS)

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. 

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Are you ready to play a pivotal role in supporting the world’s most advanced laser facility? We are seeking dynamic Associate Section Managers for Operations in the Target and Experimental Systems (TExS) Section at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022, a historic moment in science that opened new physics regimes and set the stage for future fusion energy possibilities. In this critical position, you will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for the operation and maintenance of target and target positioners, diagnostics and diagnostic positioners, optic assemblies and more. You will manage operational execution, integration, and continuous improvement of TExS activities across NIF sections, ensuring seamless support for NIF’s shot schedule and mission. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division within the Engineering Directorate and supports projects within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Sciences (NIF&PS) / Light Matter and Fusion (LMF) directorate.

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

In this role, you will

• Lead teams, programs, or functions with a technical focus, operate under consultative direction with substantial authority, use subject matter expertise and significant team leadership experience, and exercise judgment within established policies to monitor workflow, allocate resources, ensure timely completion of projects, independently determine strategies, and achieve objectives while managing organizational impact and pursuing actions to achieve long-term goals.
• Oversee the management and execution of the section Operations & Integration team scope, identifying, planning and executing courses of action essential to obtaining desired outcomes, and managing internal stakeholder relationships.
• Lead a team of work center supervisors and technicians providing 24/7 operational support for the section operations and maintenance activities, such as those of the target, diagnostic and optic assembly systems, including target fielding, diagnostic assembly, installation, operations, and optic exchange coordination and integrated optic module (IOM) exchanges and execution.
• Manage highly complex operational interfaces between key internal stakeholders responsible for NIF shots to ensure seamless completion of critical path activities to support NIF’s shot schedule.
• Represent section interests in working group interactions with other associate section managers for operations, including participation in the improvement of the Safety Security Quality And Efficiency (SSQE).
• Identify and coordinate with the appropriate organizations the support from work teams and resources required for each phase of section activities, including personnel, equipment, and facility needs, while ensuring that section scope is clearly understood, appropriately represented, and effectively prioritized.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for section Operations, representing section at planning and coordination meetings, ensuring that section scope and priorities are communicated and understood, and escalating gaps in planning and execution as needed.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement through regular meetings with section managers, planners, system managers, work center supervisors, and appropriate project teams to clarify roles, processes, integration needs, and priorities for section, and solicit feedback for continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement operational training methods and performance metrics that support section strategic goals.
• Provide the ability to support a team that is responsible for 24/7 facility operations of Target and Experimental Systems Engineering, including fielding off-hours/at-night calls and providing onsite presence as needed to resolve highly complex technical or operational issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering or related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Expert level knowledge in science or engineering that relates to implementation of integrated, highly complex, and large-scale systems.
• Expert level experience in management of operations for large and highly complex technical systems operated by multidisciplinary teams, including 24/7 operations, complex work control, and configuration management.
• Significant experience managing and executing integrated safety management processes and applying SSQE principles in an operational environment.
• Expert interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage personnel conflicts and maintain high morale in a demanding and dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading a team and/or group effectively in a fast-paced, high pressure, highly complex, multidisciplinary team environment, working across organizational boundaries.
• Expert level verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate and lead in a team environment, present and explain technical information, and provide advice to management, personnel, and stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in Science, Engineering, Physics, or related technical field or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• In-depth knowledge of NIF&PS management and structures, and familiarity with laser systems, operations, and interfaces across NIF sections.

Pay Range

$227,430 - $288,396 Annually

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.

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 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.

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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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