W-DES Group Leader (R&D Manager 4) - Military Veterans

Job Title W-DES Group Leader (R&D Manager 4)
Location Los Alamos, NM, US
Organization Name W-DES
Minimum Salary 166900
Maximum Salary 289000

What You Will Do

The Design Requirements Engineering Group (W-DES) within W Division is seeking a Group Leader (R&D Manager 4) to lead and oversee engineering requirements activities for large development and testing projects in the sustainment and modernization divisions, activities that directly support LANL's Weapons Program and the nuclear deterrence mission.

The W-DES Group provides technical leadership in requirements development and management, ensuring that complex weapon system designs and engineering processes are executed with precision, accuracy, and compliance. These tasks involve collaborations with system and test engineers within LANL and across the Nuclear Security Enterprise. This role is critical in ensuring systems integration, engineering rigor, and lifecycle management of weapon programs.

As the W-DES Group Leader, you will:

• Develop and lead a team of highly skilled engineers responsible for requirements definition, system architecture, and engineering integration.
• Foster collaboration across W Division, Q Division and the rest of the Weapons Program, ensuring that engineering requirements align with national security objectives, NNSA guidance, and stockpile modernization needs.
• Manage and oversee engineering processes, documentation, and digital tools that support large-scale weapons design and sustainment projects.
• Influence engineering policy, standards, and strategic direction related to requirements and systems engineering both within LANL and across the Nuclear Security Enterprise.
• Lead personnel development, recruitment, and mentorship, ensuring an environment of trust, mutual respect, and technical excellence.
• Oversee project execution, budget, and resource allocation, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and mission success.

This leadership position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of requirements engineering and management within LANL's Weapons Engineering Division.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Leadership & Management

• Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire technical teams, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability.
• Demonstrated experience in program development, strategic planning, technical execution, and resource management.
• Strong ability to engage, influence, and communicate effectively with all levels of LANL management, NNSA, and external stakeholders.
• Experience in mentorship, performance management, recruitment, and staff development in a high-impact engineering environment.

Engineering & Project Execution

• Expertise in requirements management and systems engineering methodologies for large-scale projects.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, ensuring adherence to schedule, technical requirements, and program deliverables.
• Knowledge of engineering authorization systems, document management systems (e.g., DOORS, PDM Link), and stockpile sustainment processes.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams, internal stakeholders, and external agencies (NNSA, DoD, Pantex, and other Nuclear Security Enterprise partners).
• Ability to align technical activities with LANL, NNSA, and national security priorities, ensuring engineering processes support long-term stockpile stewardship.
• The ability to obtain a DOE Q Clearance

Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field from an accredited institution and 8 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to this occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience presenting to and interacting with senior LANL management, NNSA leadership, and interagency partners.
• Experience with NNSA program review processes, compliance standards, and deliverables.
• Knowledge of engineering workflows, design quality integration, and systems engineering best practices in a high-security environment.
• Experience managing high-formality engineering operations and classified projects.
• An active DOE Q Clearance

Note to Applicants:

Along with your resume, please include a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet each of the minimum requirements and any of the desired qualifications.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of 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, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Work Schedule: This position may require 24/7 coverage, which could involve working a shift schedule. Employees may be eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift assignments are at the discretion of the manager.

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. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50-mile radius)

Additional Details




Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). 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. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US 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.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

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.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.

The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request a disability accommodation, email applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505) 664-6947, opt. 3.

Employment Status Full Time
Appointment Type Regular
Regular