Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) Program Manager (Science/Engineering Program Manager 4/5)

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Science/Engineering (S/E) Program Manager 4/5 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Are you interested in providing strategic leadership for a cross-organizational team of high performing scientists and technology specialists? Do you have a background in the study of extreme physical phenomena related to high energy density physics? If the answer to those questions is "yes," we invite you to consider applying for the Inertial Confinement Fusion Program Manager (PM) position.

As the ICF Program Manager, you would direct the program's development of thermonuclear burn platforms, to address the scientific challenges presented by the US nuclear deterrent, as it evolves through aging and modernization in changing threat environments. ICF supports scientific research on the extreme phenomena relevant to high energy density physics and advances the experimental capabilities necessary to probe these regimes. These areas of research include hydrodynamics, material science, nuclear science, plasma physics, and thermonuclear burn. The ICF Program is sponsored by the DOE/NNSA Office of Defense Programs, and is a key component of the LANL Office of Experimental Sciences. As a member of the XTD Theoretical Design and OES leadership teams, you will report to the XTD Division Leader in a line sense and to the OES Program Director in a program sense.

Science/Engineering Program Manager 4 ($153,600 - $266,500)
As S/E Program Manager 4, your principal responsibilities would be to:

• Provide overall leadership for the vision and execution of the program, being responsible for the development and oversight of the scope, schedule, and budget for the program;
• Facilitate key advances in the understanding of high energy density physics and in enabling experimental capabilities;
• Direct the design of cutting edge experimental platforms for conducting weapons-related research at the nation's flagship high energy density (HED) NIF, Z, and Omega facilities and the development of cutting-edge diagnostics to measure the extreme conditions produced in these environments;
• Represent the LANL ICF program to NNSA Headquarters; participate in the national leadership of the Office of Experimental Sciences (OES) through coordination with the OES Program Director;
• Work with line and program partners to develop and execute plans that are integrated and effective. Of particular importance is coordination with the OES Primary and Secondary Assessment Technologies and the Advanced Simulation and Computing programs.

Science/Engineering Program Manager 5 ($184,200 - $329,700)
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level you will be responsible for:

• Guiding and Reporting on the implementation of the DDW strategy for Thermonuclear Burn R&D
• Shaping the LANL strategy and leading the engagement with the emerging private-equity funded inertial fusion energy sector. This includes directly engaging with private-sector entities, NNSA sponsors, and LANL Feynmann Center for Innovation to ensure that LANL is positioned to capitalize on emergent technologies for all of our national-security mission needs.
• Lead the coordination of ICF R&D activities with wider LANL AI initiatives.
• Represent (as needed) the OES Program Office in meetings with senior LANL leadership and/or senior NNSA leadership.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:


Scientific Expertise: In this position, you will need to have expertise in one or more of the scientific fields relevant to ICF, as evidenced by technical publications, programmatic contributions and recognition within the weapons community.

Leadership and Program Management: To succeed as ICF PM, you will need experience implementing strategic vision and working effectively with collaborators and customers, across programs and organizations, to deliver superior products. You will need to have high functioning skills in the management of technical programs, including success at project development, planning, budgeting, negotiation, advocacy, resource allocation, management, execution, and customer interactions. You will need to have the ability to adeptly assess and communicate risk and the ability to adapt complex plans to regular changes.

Teamwork/Communication: A record of successful teamwork and consensus building across organizational and program boundaries will be an essential foundation for your effectiveness as ICF PM. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as evidenced by successful internal and external interactions and by briefings, presentations, and manuscripts, will be necessary elements of success. Especially critical will be your abilities to explain technical concepts to non-technical personnel, to coordinate ICF efforts across the national laboratories, and to interface productively with NNSA.

Additional Job Requirements for S/E Program Manager 5:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• National/International recognition as a technical/scientific leader as evidenced by service on national workshops organizing committees, international conference organizing committees, federal advisory committees, technical/scientific advisor to senior management, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in sustaining and/or growing core capabilities.
• Expert level knowledge and demonstrated experience in building national/international interdisciplinary teams to meet emerging interest to national security.

Education/Experience at S/E Program Manager 4:
Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in a science or engineering related field, from an accredited institution and 12 years of directly related technical and program management experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at S/E Program Manager 5:
Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in a science or engineering related field, from an accredited institution and 15 years of directly related technical and program management experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in a technical field related to ICF.
• Experience working effectively with NNSA personnel in Washington.
• Experience with the theoretical, experimental, and computational elements of LANL weapons programs.
• An active Q clearance.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 2 years.

Note to Applicants:
For full consideration please attach a cover letter that addresses how you meet the requirements of the position.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.