ALS-U Project Director

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory•Berkeley, CA

11h•$400,000 - $450,000•Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is seeking a Project Director for the Advanced Light Source Upgrade (ALS-U), a large-scale Department of Energy (DOE) project to upgrade the laboratory’s flagship x-ray light source. Serving as the top leadership appointment for the ALS‑U project and reporting to Laboratory Director, this critical Director-level position provides overall strategic direction, governance, executive oversight, and performance assurance from execution through transition to operations. The Project Director is ultimately accountable for the successful delivery of ALS‑U, including achievement of all technical Key Performance Parameters (KPPs), adherence to approved cost and schedule baselines, and effective stakeholder engagement. The Project Director has broad decision‑making authority on high‑impact issues such as major scope changes, significant resource allocations, and critical risk mitigation strategies, and serves as the final arbiter for project critical decisions. The role includes direct line management of the ALS‑U project organization, oversight and mentoring of the Project Manager and senior project leadership, and extensive interaction and collaboration with DOE, Laboratory senior management, partner institutions, and other external stakeholders. The Project Director is explicitly responsible for establishing and sustaining mature systems engineering and project management practices, realistic baselines, disciplined risk management, and strengthened oversight and assurance mechanisms. The Advanced Light Source is a U.S. DOE Office of Science national scientific user facility that produces exceptionally bright soft and hard x-ray, ultraviolet, and infrared light. With a strong scientific reputation, expert staff, and advanced capabilities, the ALS attracts thousands of academic and industrial users each year in condensed matter and quantum materials, energy sciences, biosciences, earth and planetary sciences and more. The ALS aims to maintain its global leadership in soft x-ray science with ALS-U to upgrade the facility to a fourth-generation light source. This upgrade will position the facility among the brightest soft x-ray light sources in the world, offering capabilities that no other facility can provide.

Requirements

Advanced degree in Physics, Engineering, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
At least 10 years of experience leading large‑scale, complex scientific or engineering projects, preferably DOE Order 413.3B capital asset projects or equivalent.
Demonstrated success delivering or recovering major accelerator, light source, or comparable facility projects to approved technical, cost, and schedule baselines, including experience with re‑baselining and implementation of corrective actions.
Broad understanding of machine and beamline engineering at light sources or related accelerator‑based facilities, including areas such as magnetic lattice design, vacuum systems, front ends, survey and alignment, and beamline installation.
Extensive experience with project management systems and practices (including Earned Value Management, risk management, configuration and change control) and formal project reporting to DOE or comparable sponsors.
Demonstrated ability to apply rigorous systems engineering and conduct‑of‑engineering practices.
Proven track record of leading large, multi‑disciplinary, matrixed teams and supervising senior project management and technical leaders in a complex institutional environment. Demonstrated commitment to fair and collaborative leadership and people stewardship.
Experience with complex procurements and construction activities involving multiple interfaces and stakeholders, including work in or adjacent to operating research facilities.
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement and relationship building skills, with demonstrated effectiveness in representing major projects to funding agencies, review committees, user communities, and diverse technical and non‑technical audiences.
Track record of delivering complex technical programs with exemplary safety performance and regulatory compliance. Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, inclusion, accountability, and high ethical standards, and the ability to model Laboratory core values in impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a project director, project manager, or comparable executive leader for a large DOE light source, accelerator, or similar research facility construction or upgrade project.
Knowledge of synchrotron radiation and accelerator systems, including storage ring physics, insertion devices, and advanced beamline concepts.
Experience working directly with DOE site and program offices, the Office of Project Assessment, and independent project review committees on major capital projects.