Director, Research & Development Laboratory – Santa Barbara

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).  Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy.  Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.   

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.  
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.

Mission Support and Test Services (MSTS) is seeking an accomplished research and engineering executive to lead its Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) in Santa Barbara, CA. This nationally recognized laboratory develops innovative technologies and scientific capabilities that strengthen U.S. national security by advancing experimental and applied physics, advanced sensing, hardware and software engineering, chemistry and spectroscopy, cyber-physical systems, and data-driven analytics. 

Reporting to the Senior Director of Global Security, the Director will provide strategic, technical, operational, and fiscal leadership for a multidisciplinary organization of scientists, engineers, technicians, and managers delivering mission-critical capabilities for government sponsors while supporting the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS). 

The successful candidate will shape the laboratory's long-term technical vision, cultivate enduring relationships with government sponsors, build and mentor exceptional technical teams, and oversee the successful execution and continued growth of a diverse portfolio of advanced research and development programs. 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership 

• Establish and execute the long-term strategic vision for the STL, aligning research investments with MSTS, Global Security, and national security priorities. 
• Lead a multidisciplinary laboratory with responsibility for a research portfolio exceeding $35 million, ensuring outstanding technical execution while positioning the organization for sustained growth. 
• Develop long-range organizational goals and strategies that strengthen the laboratory's scientific capabilities, workforce, and national reputation. 
• Serve as the senior MSTS representative for the STL, providing executive leadership for site operations and organizational performance. 
• Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on matters affecting laboratory operations, scientific direction, customer relationships, and business performance. 

Research & Technical Leadership 

• Guide research spanning experimental and applied physics, advanced sensing and novel detection technologies, chemistry and spectroscopy, cyber-physical systems, embedded hardware and software, systems engineering, cyber security, and emerging scientific disciplines. 
• Foster an environment that encourages scientific innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the rapid transition of research into operational capabilities. 
• Evaluate technical, operational, and organizational risks and implement strategies to mitigate them while maintaining program success. 
• Promote technical excellence through continuous improvement, organizational learning, and rigorous scientific standards. 

Government Sponsor Engagement & Business Growth 

• Develop and maintain trusted partnerships with government sponsors, serving as the primary executive interface for laboratory activities. 
• Collaborate closely with Mission Development and Global Security leadership to identify emerging mission needs, expand the laboratory's research portfolio, and pursue new business opportunities. 
• Support enterprise-wide growth initiatives that extend beyond the laboratory and strengthen MSTS's position across the national security community. 
• Represent MSTS and the Nevada National Security Sites w