DP-1 Manufacturing Manager 3 (First Line Manager) (Manufacturing Manager 3)

About the Role

The First Line Manager for the Product Engineering Group (DP-1) leads a team of highly experienced engineers and scientists who serve as the primary technical interface to the design agencies (LANL, Sandia National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) and internal operational groups. This role is critical in supporting the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and upholding teamwork, integrity, respect, continuous improvement, technical rigor, safety, and security.

DP-1 engineers and scientists act as the Product Realization Team (PRT) lead during the development, qualification, production, and surveillance phases of the product life cycle. The group is responsible for the design, build, testing, and qualification of shipping Container Kit Assemblies for all detonator products within the Nuclear Weapons Complex. The manager ensures timely program completion, establishes technical requirements, and participates in cross-functional teams from program initiation to completion, adhering to Defense Programs Business Process System requirements and NNSA Weapon Quality Policy (NAP 401.1A).

This position reports directly to the DP-1 Group Leader and involves occasional interface with NNSA Program Management and other external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Program and Project Leadership
  • Enable Product Realization execution of WR and development detonator programs in partnership with project leaders, process engineers, and Design Agencies.
  • Ensure compliance with enterprise requirements, including product realization and quality standards.
  • Guide coordination of component development, qualification, and production execution activities within DP and across the Nuclear Weapons Enterprise.
• Personnel and Organizational Leadership
  • Foster a culture aligned with Laboratory Values and Behaviors.
  • Promote a respectful, inclusive workplace that values diversity and collaboration.
• Continuous Improvement and Strategic Initiatives
  • Support manufacturing and inspection process improvements.
  • Participate in root cause investigations and corrective action implementation.
  • Develop and implement group metrics that support division production metrics to drive improvement.
• Enterprise and Customer Interface
  • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with NNSA, Design Agencies, program offices, and internal stakeholders.
  • Deliver clear, concise briefings and written communications to senior leadership and external partners as needed.
  • Balance multiple program priorities while aligning with institutional objectives.
• Team and Employee Development
  • Support the Group Leader in developing and maintaining a robust succession plan for all group positions.
  • Identify development needs to ensure continued support and protection of DP's mission.
  • Ensure each team member has a documented career path.
  • Encourage a culture of continuous personal career development and learning.
  • Assist the DP-1 Group Leader with defining project scope and planning efforts in collaboration with Design Agencies, subject matter experts, project leaders, and program managers.
  • Identify and provide input on specific resource needs in support of programmatic milestones.

Requirements

• Leadership/Management
  • Supervisory experience with a demonstrable record of successful team building, collaboration, and leadership in a challenging manufacturing environment.
  • Knowledge of, and demonstrated successful experience in, mentorship and professional development of employees.
• Technical Knowledge
  • Expert knowledge of engineering processes and principles as applied to nuclear weapon components.
  • Thorough understanding of NNSA's Weapon Quality Policy, NAP 401.1A, or comparable quality standards.
• Technical Experience
  • Demonstrated experience in electro-explosive device (EED) product qualification within the Nuclear Weapons Enterprise.
• Program/Project Management
  • Proven success developing product manufacturing flows, managing risk, and coordinating across multiple organizations.
  • Demonstrated understanding of balancing resources across concurrent production campaigns.
• Communication
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with all levels of management and personnel, including negotiating, influencing, conflict resolution, consensus building, oral presentation, and written communications.
  • Experience in developing and nurturing effective working relationships with customers.
• Problem Solving
  • Advanced experience in effective decision-making and creative problem-solving, including researching and recommending alternative solutions.
  • Expert knowledge of, and successfully demonstrated experience in, developing, implementing, and managing innovation and process improvements.
• Customer Focus
  • Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective internal and external customer relationships.
• Security Clearance
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Sigma 15 entitlement. Dual citizens of some countries may not be eligible.

Qualifications

Position requires a bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution and 8 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with DOE/NNSA National Security Enterprise sites and business practices.
• Experience with DOE classification directives.
• Current experience as a derivative classifier (DC).
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Defense Programs Business Process System, including the nuclear weapon product realization process and engineering authorizations.
• Master of Science degree in an engineering discipline such as manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, materials, nuclear, aerospace, or chemical engineering and/or a Master of Science or Master of Engineering in Engineering Management.
• Active DOE Q Clearance.

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

This is a regular position with a commitment period of 1 year.

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) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually).
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance.
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays).
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs.
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50-mile radius).

Additional Details

This position requires a Q clearance. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. U.S. citizenship is required except in extremely rare circumstances. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization is ultimately a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

New-employment drug test is required. The Laboratory maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although marijuana use is legal in some states, it remains illegal under federal law, and a positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment.

This position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. Eligibility requires being in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months before July 1st and remaining in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th.

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 that support national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, including Los Alamos National Laboratory.