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Program Group Leader for Secondary Performance - Active Security Clearance Required

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
United StatesRemotefull_timeVerifiedPosted 7 Jul 2026
💰 $346,140/yr($227,430/yr$346,140/yr)

About the role

Company Description

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.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Program Group Leader (PGL) to lead and manage the Secondary Performance (SP) Program Group within Integrated Weapon Science (IWS) in the Weapon Physics and Design (WPD) program. The SP PGL will lead a portfolio of technical efforts focused on advancing capabilities to simulate secondary performance and deepening institutional understanding of secondary physics.  A key priority for SP is building, maintaining, and disseminating, in the appropriate venues, core knowledge in this mission area. This position will be in the Strategic Deterrence (SD) 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 a higher level. 

You will

  • Foster coordination, communication, and positive team dynamics amongst all team members.
  • Ensure development and delivery of advanced capabilities to close capability gaps in alignment with WPD strategic goals.
  • Guide scientific and technical direction for the projects in the SP program group.
  • Provide technical contributions toward advancing state-of-the-art capabilities pursed by the SP program group
  • Interface with a broad range of technical staff to identify current capability gaps and gather broad input on prioritization.
  • Annually develop program plan priorities and staffing and track throughout the year.
  • Manage the SP budget and report monthly on project execution status.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

 Additional job responsibilities at the SEL.5 level

  • Responsible for strategic planning and directing projects plus program goals and objectives. 
  • Act as senior expert on capability development requirements.
  • Work in close partnership with Weapon Simulation and Computing (WSC) to build a shared awareness of capability development priorities and challenges.
  • Serve on internal/external scientific/technical committees when needed and influence strategic technical decisions made by senior management, cross-program coordinators, and NNSA HQ.

Qualifications

  • 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.
  • Doctoral degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field, or equivalent level of demonstrated knowledge.
  • Significant Experience with secondary modeling and simulation with broad knowledge of design practices and familiarity with the LLNL weapon-physics programs.
  • Significant experience teaming and partnering effectively to lead cross-disciplinary and cross-laboratory teams to work toward programmatic and institutional goals.
  • Highly advanced problem solving, analytical, technical, organizational, and management skills necessary to independently advise, recommend, and approve appropriate actions and implement solutions.
  • Significant communication skills, both written and verbal, necessary to effectively explain, present, negotiate, advise, and influence all levels of management.
  • Experience fostering productive relationships with other divisions, directorates, laboratories, institutions across the DOE.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.5 level

  • Expert knowledge of secondary modeling and simulation with demonstrated deep experience in design and familiarity with the LLNL weapon-physics programs.
  • Extensive experience teaming and partnering effectively to build, lead, and motivate cross-disciplinary and cross-laboratory teams to work toward programmatic and institutional goals.
  • Extensive experience managing and leading a significant technical portfolio, supporting large-scale projects led by others, building budgets and spending pl

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Company

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

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