Intelligence & Space Research Deputy Division Leader (R&D Manager 5)

About the Role

Reporting to the Intelligence & Space Research (ISR) Division Leader, the Deputy Division Leader (DDL) will play an important role on the ISR leadership team, providing strategic direction and operational oversight for a large, dynamic organization. ISR Division designs, builds, delivers, and exploits innovative ground- and space-based measurement systems and provides unique analysis and interpretation of data from these systems. The division succeeds through cohesive, interdisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and scientists working within a highly creative and dynamic R&D environment.

Deployed systems and their data interpretation are crucial for international nuclear treaty verification, nuclear nonproliferation, space domain awareness, and remote sensing. The division also develops and leads scientific experiments on NASA missions and supports programs across global security and defense. Core capabilities include understanding signature propagation from source to sensor; deploying cutting-edge sensors and processors in space, air, and on the ground; engineering systems for extreme environments; predicting the natural and disrupted space environment; and applied data sciences that translate measurements into knowledge.

The primary sponsors and customers for this work include the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Defense, NASA, and the Intelligence Community.

Responsibilities

• Steward enduring capabilities that enable successful mission execution, including science and engineering capabilities such as space physics and electrical engineering.
• Foster a healthy, safe, and secure working environment that reinforces a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Grow, sustain, and motivate a specialized, highly capable workforce through continuous intellectual challenge, learning, and professional development opportunities.
• Inspire and lead the team to successfully deliver critical measurement systems and information products while positioning it to address evolving scientific and national security challenges.
• Develop and sustain collaborative partnerships with peers across the Laboratory, other National Laboratories, government agencies, academia, and industry.
• Understand and help manage a complex technical, programmatic, and organizational risk landscape, including development and implementation of tactical and strategic goals and program development in collaboration with the Laboratory's Program Offices.
• Engage as a key part of ISR Division's leadership team to foster a respectful, professional, and fair work culture.
• Ensure all applicable safety, security, and administrative policies and procedures are effectively implemented.

Requirements

• Leadership: Proven ability (e.g., through management, program, or project leadership experience) to lead a workforce with diverse skillsets and expertise through a complex technical risk landscape, including handling competing or conflicting priorities and navigating highly constrained funding and schedule environments. Ability to foster a creative, entrepreneurial work environment where innovation and continuous learning are essential for solving difficult challenges in science and national security. Demonstrated ability to develop or mature an organizational strategy and successfully engage and lead a workforce through its implementation.
• Management: Demonstrated record of successful management of an R&D enterprise or organizational group, providing scientific, technical, and operational expertise and line management. Experience in management of fiscal, human, and material resources; effective conflict resolution; performance and salary management; coordinating with other organizations to achieve common objectives; recruitment and retention of a specialized workforce; and organization of workflow in a complex technical environment.
• Workforce Development: Demonstrated ability to cultivate a positive and collaborative work culture that provides meaningful opportunities and challenges for technical and support staff and advances the knowledge and skills of individuals and teams. Demonstrated experience and skill as a mentor and coach.
• Communication: Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills to drive alignment, engagement, and progress across the organization. Ability to engage with a wide variety of technical and non-technical audiences through effective presentations and conversations. Actively listen to understand diverse perspectives, foster open and transparent dialogue, and encourage information sharing, idea generation, and continuous improvement.
• Teaming: Proven ability to work and interact effectively in a dynamic team environment; build and lead cross-organizational collaborations and teams; and bring diverse groups together to work toward common goals and objectives and a shared purpose.
• Safety and Security: Demonstrated success in improving the safety, security, environment, and health envelope of a team workplace, such as through implementing Human Performance Improvement (HPI) and/or Safe Conduct of Research (SCoR) principles.
• Technical Knowledge: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage the development, deployment, and exploitation of systems for space research, space-based national security missions, or a similarly complex and rigorous domain area. Experience and expertise in at least one of ISR's core technical capability areas in space and remote-sensing science and engineering.
• Commitment to a Respectful Workplace: Demonstrated commitment to fostering a mutually respectful workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment and attracts and retains high-caliber talent. Demonstrated commitment to an intellectual environment that promotes scientific excellence.

Qualifications

Position requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 12 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field of engineering or science, such as physics or electrical engineering.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within a stressful, high-risk environment typical of space-based programs that require execution within rigid cost, scope, and schedule envelopes.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of and experience in one or more of ISR Division's core capabilities or programmatic areas.
• Demonstrated experience in the successful use of project controls for anticipating, identifying, and managing technical and program risk of complex projects.
• Practical knowledge of Laboratory business systems; operational and work processes; administrative practices and procedures, including HR processes and effective resolution of personnel issues; and key Laboratory points of contact.
• Demonstrated expertise in quality management and quality assurance.
• Additional training in project management, risk management, systems analysis, statistical analysis, and/or financial analysis.

Physical Requirements

• Physical movement between buildings located primarily within a half-mile radius, which may include movement across uneven and/or inclined ground.
• Physical movement within large interior facility spaces and corridors, which may require travel up and down stairs.
• Direct interaction with hardware, equipment, and instruments in office and laboratory environments.

Work Environment

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

Position Commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants: Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China (including the special administrative regions of 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 ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, including Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Clearance: This position requires a Q clearance and SCI access. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Obtaining such clearance requires U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Benefits

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same 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).

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.