AI R&D Science/Engineering Project Leader 1

About the Role

Join the best and brightest minds in the world at one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. You will work alongside scientific leaders to manage and ensure the timely completion of scientific projects in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). This position supports the A-9 team-of-teams, an AI-focused group within the Analytics, Intelligence & Technology Division, whose mission is to advance capabilities related to AI for assessing, preparing for, and responding to potentially catastrophic nuclear, chemical, biological, cyber, natural, and emerging technological threats.

A-9 participates in foundational and applied R&D, threat analysis, communication and education, hardware and software infrastructure, and cross-organization AI leadership. The role requires agility and adaptability due to the constantly evolving global threat landscape and R&D portfolio. Stakeholders include the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Intelligence Community, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and others.

The team is highly multidisciplinary, including mathematicians, economists, engineers, physicists, computer and data scientists, and intelligence analysts.

Responsibilities

• Develop work packages defining milestones and deliverables to meet programmatic needs in collaboration with principal investigators and technical leaders.
• Identify technical requirements, define and/or execute budgets and schedules, and organize hiring and onboarding.
• Plan and facilitate visits from stakeholders and provide oversight of project teams from initiation to completion.
• Communicate project status updates, challenges, and needs to sponsors (internal and external), customers, line management, program management, and other stakeholders.
• Oversee small project team(s) in planning, tracking, and executing project plans, including developing project plans and detailed work breakdown structures.
• Identify potential project risks, develop mitigation strategies and corrective actions, and recommend risk acceptance/avoidance.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson to report project status and issues to program managers, Laboratory senior managers, and staff.
• Develop and nurture effective internal customer relationships.
• Plan, organize, lead, and monitor multidisciplinary team efforts to successful completion.
• Exercise discretion in sensitive situations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering-related field from an accredited institution and 2 years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience developing project plans, work breakdown structures, and negotiating work packages to complete project deliverables.
• Ability to oversee small project teams in planning, tracking, and executing projects from initiation to completion.
• Judgment to identify project risks, develop mitigation strategies, and recommend risk acceptance/avoidance.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively at all levels of the Laboratory and with external personnel.
• Ability and desire to obtain both Q and SCI clearances, which generally requires U.S. citizenship.

Desired Qualifications

• Previous technical exposure or experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or large language models.
• Knowledge of relevant funding organizations (e.g., DoD, DHS, DOE, Intelligence Community) and experience organizing or facilitating proposals.
• Familiarity with common project management software and practices for tracking project and financial data.
• Working knowledge of U.S. priorities regarding national and global security.
• Active Q and SCI clearances.

Work Environment

This position is onsite in Los Alamos, NM. Work locations are at the discretion of management. Regular appointment employees must serve a 1-year commitment in their current position before applying for other Laboratory jobs.

Due to federal restrictions, citizens of the People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation who are not Lawful Permanent Residents are prohibited from accessing facilities supporting national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, including Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Benefits

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with a large nationwide network.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Free basic life and disability insurance.
• Paid childbirth and parental leave.
• Award-winning 401(k) with 6% matching plus 3.5% annual contribution.
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance.
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays).
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs.
• Extensive relocation packages (for those outside a 50-mile radius).

Clearance

This position requires a Q clearance and SCI access, with eligibility determined by the Federal Government. U.S. citizenship is required except in extremely rare circumstances. Selected applicants will undergo a background investigation. A new-employment drug test is required, and the Laboratory maintains a substance abuse policy, including random drug testing. Use of marijuana, even if legal under state law, remains prohibited under federal law and will result in termination.