Materials Engineering Division Group Leader - Active Clearance Required

LLNL•Livermore, CA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

We have an opening for a Group Leader in the Micro and Nano Technology Section (MNTS) within the Materials Engineering Division (MED). You will provide leadership for R&D activities in areas such as Radio Frequency (RF) Photonics, A/D and D/A conversion, fiber optics, and/or integrated optics. You will have a meaningful role in developing successful careers, building a positive working environment, and developing an extraordinary staff to meet program needs. In addition to the Group Leader role, you will be expected to maintain a technical programmatic project assignment within the division. This position is in the Engineering Directorate. This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization 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.

Requirements

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 Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Engineering or related technical field or the equivalent combination of education and previous relevant experience.
Advanced knowledge and significant experience in one or more of the following technical areas: RF Photonics including A/D and D/A conversion, fiber optics, integrated waveguide optics, high speed electronics, nonlinear optics, and signal processing.
Significant experience collaborating with technical business partners to identify and lead complex technical projects including workforce planning, tracking milestones, and providing performance feedback to involved team members.
Significant experience giving technical presentations and participating in reviews, identifying technical needs, developing practical approaches, and delivering working solutions for program customers.
Significant leadership experience and demonstrated ability to successfully lead and manage a team of technical staff, including training, coaching, team building, and career and performance management.
Advanced level problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and implement effective solutions for complex technical challenges.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely and accurate completion of reviews and assessments.
Advanced communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present and explain technical information, as well as to advise senior management and external sponsors.
Extensive experience in the leadership of personnel for highly complex technical projects, including project planning and execution, and developing and implementing creative solutions to a diverse range of highly complex problems.
Expert communication, facilitation, negotiation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, influence, and advise senior management and/or external sponsors.
Demonstrated track record of building programs with a focus on capability development and growth.
Demonstrated track record of attracting, hiring, developing, directing, and retaining teams in the successful accomplishment of major project goals and objectives.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Engineering, or related field.
Experience with LLNL and Engineering administrative policies, procedures, and design safety practices and standards.

Responsibilities

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.
Set specific technical strategy and direction for the team and collaborate with the Engineering Center Leaders and Section Leaders to define work objectives, identify and lead complex technical work assignments, and guide workload planning for multiple projects among group members; assigning work, remaining aware of complex technical goals, problems, and solutions, monitoring performance, obtaining ongoing performance feedback, and tracking progress of project schedule and milestones to ensure desired results and deadlines are met.
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, advising and evaluating staff on the execution of technical work, and conducting annual employee performance reviews.
Provide advanced technical analysis and recommendations and communicate project risks and requirements through technical updates and presentations to senior leadership, customers, and external sponsors.
Provide support to the section leader to address organizational needs and contribute to the development of organizational goals.
Lead team in conducting thoughtful and comprehensive reviews of complex engineering designs, providing expert technical analysis and recommendations for design optimization, and applying advanced knowledge and using innovative methods/technology where applicable.
Identify networking opportunities, technical and non-technical growth areas, training and mentoring needs, and opportunities for group personnel, facilitating periodic career development discussions.
Monitor and influence the work environment to develop employee morale and well-being; recruit, hire, and retain outstanding technical staff.
Ensure team compliance with all safety and operational standards, while also making certain that safety related Laboratory and Directorate policies are understood, applied, and followed.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Responsible for higher-level goal setting and strategic planning efforts toward long range goals; influencing strategic decisions made by program management and external stakeholders, modifying approaches, identifying new opportunities, developing new projects or programs, and working with Division Leader and Section Leader.
Utilize subject matter expertise to strategically anticipate, identify, and provide technical leadership and to develop creative and innovative solutions for highly unusual, highly complex, and/or sensitive issues/problems where the solution path is not known ahead of time.
Engage sponsors and develop new programs with a focus on long term growth of the expertise and capabilities of the group.
Act as primary technical contact and serve on external scientific or technical committees, positively representing the program and the Laboratory.