Position Overview
The Weapon Engineering Technology (WT) Division provides technical expertise to the Weapons System (W) Division, Applied Physics (X) Division, the Hydrodynamic Experiments (HX) Division, the Hydrodynamics Test Program, the Dynamic Plutonium Experiments (DPE) Program, and the Science and Engineering Campaigns in accomplishing the Laboratory's Nuclear Weapon's mission. Specifically, WT Division provides engineering and technological expertise and support to the Nuclear Weapons Program through: design and assembly of small and large scale integrated experiments and ancillary hardware; environmental testing and advanced diagnostics; HE processing and manufacturing; inventory, packaging, and transportation of classified parts and hazardous materials; design, analysis, and testing of blast-loaded structures including small and large scale blast-loaded containment and confinement vessels; Nevada Test Site Engineering and Operations; and Tritium Science and Engineering. The Test Director (TD) for the Nevada Test Site (NTS) serves as the project leader for the development, coordination, and execution of Joint NTS Program Office (JNPO) experiments, projects, and tests at the NTS and other locations. The responsibility of the TD includes project organization, budget management, schedule development, and ES&H integration. The TD must balance the technical, programmatic, financial and operational requirements needed to manage these activities, which currently include Dynamic Plutonium Experiments of which Subcritical Experiments (SCEs) are a subset. Underground nuclear tests may be included if directed by the President. The TD leads and coordinates the efforts of multi?disciplinary teams from the Laboratory and other agencies, and is responsible for the safe and successful accomplishment of the project. The TD can expect assignments for one or more JNPO SCEs or other special projects per year. The TD will provide management oversight and NNSA interface for other major JNPO projects, as required. The TD administratively reports to the Los Alamos WT Division Leader and functionally to the NTS Deputy Program Manager for the JNPO Project Office. During the execution of project operations at the NTS, the TD serves as the direct agent of the Manager, NNSA/NSO, with regard to technical direction of NNSA/NSO contractors and effective coordination of ES&H issues. Contacts at the Laboratory are at the Program Director/Division Leader level and at NNSA/NSO with Project and Program Directors. The TD is a direct link in the line management safety chain for deployed personnel for the duration of a specified effort.
Key Position Requirements
Required Skills:
The job location for this position is at the Nevada Test Site, and residency in Nevada is required. Travel to Los Alamos will be required. Demonstrated experience in NTS operations and working knowledge of NTS capabilities. Demonstrated successful management experience. Demonstrated project management/project engineering experience with extensive relevant technical knowledge of the design, fabrication, assembly, acceptance testing, and fielding of small and large scale engineering systems and components. Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with personnel at all levels and from varied disciplines internal and external to LANL. Strong oral and written communication skills. Experience with LANL programmatic activities associated with LANL nuclear weapons, particularly as they may relate to ongoing stockpile stewardship and management activities. Knowledge of Laboratory programs structure and a working knowledge of Laboratory policies and procedures. Demonstrated successful experience in creative problem solving and conflict resolution. Ability to qualify for and willingness to participate in the LANL Human Reliability Program (HRP). Knowledge of and experience with the Laboratory's Integrated Safeguards and Security Management (ISSM) and Integrated Safety Management.
Desired Skills:
Experience and knowledge of nuclear explosives, nuclear weapons, or nuclear testing. Experience with and knowledge of the Nuclear Explosive Safety Program. Familiarity with the organization and operations of the NNSA Nevada Site Office. Experience working at the NTS.
Education Requirements:
BS degree in engineering or a scientific field relevant to the mission of the Nuclear Weapons Program.
Summary
Leads an extensive and diverse set of activities across multiple engineering disciplines or within a narrow, highly specialized field in support of engineering research and development (R&D), which is defined as the creative application of scientific principles to research, design, or develop structures, instruments, machines, experiments, processes, theories or technologies; or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behavior under ambiguous operating conditions. Skilled professional with expertise crossing several technical areas or depth in a particular area is required. Serves as a technical leader in one or more discipline areas.
Job Duties
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Safety and security are primary responsibilities for all Laboratory employees. Maintains required safety and security training and assures compliance; makes safety and security an integral part of every task. Takes steps to stop work if unsafe conditions exist or security is compromised.
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Adheres to engineering policies, programs, procedures and practices.
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Applies and interprets, on a broad basis, specialized, state-of-the-art engineering and scientific principles, techniques, methods and tools to provide solutions for an extensive and diverse range of complex and/or ambiguous problems where analysis of situations or data requires in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
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Leads the research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of novel engineering and technology solutions in support of R&D initiatives.
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Develops innovative advanced concepts, theories, methods, techniques and approaches to address specialized problems. May contribute to the development of industry standards. Develops new technical capabilities and creates opportunities to extend R&D engineering through the expansion of existing efforts.
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Leads the development of technical products such as journal papers, reports, presentations, and concept papers. Develops intellectual property leading to publications, copyrights, and/or patents. May contribute to technology transfer.
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Influences organizational, project, and program strategies and directions. Leads technical decision-making at task level within a project. Makes decisions and/or recommendations that influence the achievement of key programmatic objectives.
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Uses project assignments to further organizational goals. Develops and implements project management plans, including scope, schedule, and budget, for small to moderate projects and/or major project tasks. Defines deliverables at the project or major task level.
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Actively participates in professional societies, National Nuclear Security Administration/Department of Energy Complex interactions, special assignments, and/or external collaborations. Participates in external working groups and/or assists in organizing meetings and colloquia.
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Leads peer review of the work of others within his/her own organization and participates in peer review across organizations or disciplines.
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Enhances technical and professional expertise of junior staff through active mentoring and training.
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Contributes ideas for new proposals and business development opportunities. Leads development of technical section of small to moderate proposals. Acquires internal/external funding for self.
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Contributes to developments in industry, and develops new skills consistent with state-of-the-art. Attains additional certifications, qualifications, and/or recognitions to grow in field.
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Models a mutually respectful work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and that supports cooperation, teamwork, and resource sharing.
Job Knowledge
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Thorough knowledge of and experience in one or more of the following engineering disciplines: aerospace, biomedical, chemical, computational, electrical, mechanical, nuclear or other R&D engineering field.
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Thorough knowledge of and experience in designing, planning, and executing research and development projects.
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Thorough knowledge of and experience with application of the scientific method and with discipline-relevant standards for the ethical conduct of research.
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Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in implementing Laboratory policies affecting research and development activities, projects, and/or initiatives.
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Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in implementing Laboratory objectives and other statements of policy, practice, and/or procedure.
Education
Direction
A. Supervision Received
B. Supervision Exercised
C. Contacts
This description is not intended to be a complete statement of every aspect of the position, but rather to act as a guide to the essential functions to be performed. Assigned functions of this job may vary, and other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or changed at the discretion of management.
Human Reliability Program (HRP)
This position is subject to the requirements of the Human Reliability Program (HRP). All candidates invited for an interview must consent to be in the HRP at the time of the interview. Only the selected candidate will be subject to the requirements of HRP, which includes a pre-employment background check, a counterintelligence-scope polygraph, medical examination including psychological evaluations, and drug/alcohol testing.
Contact
For specific questions about the status of this job, call (505)664-6947
