Superblock Chief Scientist – Active Security Clearance Required

LLNL•Livermore, CA

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

We have an opening for a Superblock Chief Scientist to lead and manage mission-critical support for multiple stakeholders within the Superblock, LLNL’s DOE Hazard Category 2 Nuclear Facility. You will provide technical leadership, develop and implement strategies for the Pu Modernization program, and coordinate cross-programmatic activities to leverage investments and foster partnerships. You will represent the Superblock to internal and external stakeholders; maintain a safe, secure, responsive, and effective environment across the organization, and ensure technical excellence in the execution of programmatic objectives. This position is in the Strategic Deterrence 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.

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.
Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Nuclear Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Internationally recognized expertise in actinide physics, chemistry, and materials science with an emphasis on weapons physics and manufacturing.
Extensive experience managing highly technical research and development portfolios, including strategic vision, objective and deliverable development, implementation planning, fiduciary stewardship, decision-making, personnel recruitment and staffing, safety basis navigation, equipment installation, infrastructure renovation, and reporting.
Extensive experience with product realization teams within the NNSA complex, including certification and qualification activities and establishing production solutions.
Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines or institutions to achieve programmatic goals and objectives in a timely manner.
Familiarity with the technical, administrative, and hazard constraints and processes of working with radiological materials, including quantities present in a nuclear facility.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills to lead a multi-disciplinary team comprising scientists, engineers, mechanical technicians, facility operators and managers, and safety and hazard experts.
Demonstrated record of establishing innovative research and development programs and infrastructure that execute with the highest standards of safe and secure work practices.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership to Associate Superblock Directors in program integration, tritium operations, Pu operations, and engineering support.
Develop and implement, in coordination with the Superblock Director, strategy, objectives, and messaging for the Pu Modernization program, including research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDTE) activities, as well as capability, equipment, and infrastructure modernization.
Coordinate cross-programmatic development activities to leverage Pu Modernization investments and engage in enduring partnerships with other NNSA stakeholders (e.g., NA-1, NA-12, NA-11, NA-19, LANL, KCNSC, SRPPF, among others).
Communicate strategies, objectives, tactical shifts, status, challenges, and issues both internally within the Superblock/SD organizations and externally to other stakeholders.
Represent the Superblock internally to LLNL staff and cross-directorate senior leadership, and externally to Production Agency partners, Federal Program Sponsors, university collaborators, and the international actinide R&D community.
Serve as a backup for the Superblock Director as the Pu Modernization (NA-191) point-of-contact, including exercising management of >$700M portfolio by providing leadership, evaluations and perspectives on feasibility of broad range of activities with SBK programs under an Earned Value Management System framework while ensuring technical excellence and success.
Provide technical judgment and leadership, in collaboration with Associate Superblock Directors and Program Integration teams governing the scope of ~400 staff to deconflict, optimize, or prioritize technical development as well as pit support activities across Pu Modernization and other SBK supported programs, accounting for near- and far-term milestones.
Support the Program Integration in enhancing efficiency, impact, responsiveness, and utilization of unique Superblock resources for multi-mission support.
Lead and participate in technical reviews regarding the scope and objectives of RDTE and recapitalization efforts within the Superblock and across programmatic organizations.
Perform other duties as assigned.