Program Manager, Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence

About the role

The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to address complex, real-world threats to the nation and the world. The Physical Detection Systems and Deployment Division, part of NSD, delivers policy-informed technology solutions by removing barriers to real-world implementation, transitioning technology from development to deployment across more than 100 countries.

The NSDD Program Manager serves as the principal point of contact between NSDD Headquarters and PNNL, providing oversight for all PNNL NSDD activities. This role leads a multidisciplinary organization with an annual budget of approximately $100 million and about 70 full-time-equivalent staff, requiring strategic leadership, disciplined program management, strong sponsor engagement, and the ability to integrate technical, operational, and business functions across multiple organizations and international environments.

Responsibilities

• Program leadership and execution:
  • Translate NSDD guidance and requirements into clear direction for PNNL project managers, technical staff, and support organizations.
  • Ensure work is executed within approved scope, schedule, and budget, with management controls supporting effective performance, contracting, foreign travel, and project execution.
  • Conduct periodic program and project reviews, assess program effectiveness, oversee cross-cutting integration projects, and address emerging performance issues.
  • Provide oversight and direction to PNNL organizations supporting the program and review and approve program execution guidance documents.
• Sponsor and stakeholder relationships:
  • Serve as PNNL’s principal point of contact with NSDD Headquarters and communicate programmatic issues, status, needs, risks, and priorities to senior NSDD and PNNL management and other stakeholders.
  • Maintain productive relationships with DOE/NNSA sponsors, other national laboratories, U.S. interagency organizations, multilateral organizations, foreign government counterparts, contractors, and partner-country personnel.
  • Coordinate with PNNL sector and subsector managers regarding funding and sales expectations, program priorities, and other information relevant to institutional planning and performance.
  • Lead through influence and adapt execution as sponsor priorities, congressional direction, U.S. and foreign government positions, and program strategies evolve.
• Risk, compliance, and operational oversight:
  • Continuously assess environment, safety, and health; security; operational; and performance risks and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.
  • Ensure compliance with PNNL export control, security, records-management, training, travel, information-release, procurement, and other applicable policies and procedures.
  • Review and approve PNNL NSDD foreign travel, evaluate project travel for mission need and risk, approve formal project Information Release requests, and review purchase requisitions as assigned.
  • Manage formal program records and periodically review project-team records for compliance with applicable requirements.
• Workforce, strategy, and organizational leadership:
  • Coordinate with PNNL line management to forecast staffing needs; develop, recruit, and secure required capabilities; and approve key or senior-level staffing decisions for the program.
  • Ensure staff complete program-required training and have the knowledge, tools, and support needed to perform their assigned roles.
  • Develop and communicate a forward-looking vision for PNNL’s NSDD work, influence program strategy and execution, and identify opportunities for PNNL thought leadership and participation in new initiatives.
  • Support succession planning, assess staff readiness, identify development and cross-training opportunities, and build a resilient workforce with nuclear security and complementary capabilities.

This position is based in Richland, WA and requires an onsite presence.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • BS/BA and 11+ years of relevant project management experience, or
  • MS/MA or higher and 9+ years of relevant project management experience.
• Experience: Experience working directly with DOE/NNSA sponsors, other federal agencies, national laboratories, international organizations, foreign government counterparts, or partner-country organizations.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex, multidisciplinary, and multi-organizational programs with significant scope, schedule, budget, risk, and stakeholder-management responsibilities.
  • Experience working directly with DOE/NNSA sponsors, other federal agencies, national laboratories, international organizations, foreign government counterparts, or partner-country organizations.
  • At least two years, preferably three to five years, of experience with NSDD or another nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear security, or international technology-deployment program.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders, sponsors, technical teams, business functions, and external stakeholders and to lead through influence in a changing environment.
  • Project Management Professional certification is desirable.
  • Ability to obtain DOE Q clearance.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment: Requires travel to sponsor offices (Washington, DC) and international locations.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance. A security clearance background investigation includes review of employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing and post-employment random drug testing. Applicants must demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.