Non-Destructive Assay Manager - Materials Science Division

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. 

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Non-Destructive Assay Manager to support the Superblock within the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate. In this role, you will provide day-to-day management and technical leadership of the operations, functions, disciplines, and personnel for Superblock Count Lab. You will manage the team that performs radiological measurements to characterize nuclear materials while working within regulatory requirements and operational demand. You will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the NDA laboratory, including oversight of all non-destructive assay operations; operating and maintaining detectors and associated equipment for gamma spectroscopy, calorimetry, and neutron multiplicity; and analyzing collected data for isotopic abundance and mass quantification. This work will be performed on containerized radioactive materials within a high-hazard nuclear facility. You will report to the Associate Superblock Director for Integration and Planning and support them in developing efficient Superblock processes and functions. This position is in the Materials Science Division (MSD) within the Physical and Life Sciences Directorate supporting Strategic Deterrence.

You will 

• Manage the investment of resources, and develop programs to sustain core competencies, evolve, and enhance Superblock’s Count Lab posture and measurement capabilities.
• Provide technical leadership and direction to the Superblock NDA Group; train and retain the staff needed to ensure successful execution of its mission, programmatic interfaces, and technical performance.
• Perform Responsible Individual (RI) duties for the Superblock NDA Count Labs and manage the team’s daily operations.
• Engage Superblock stakeholders to ensure comprehensive integration and teaming to operate with shared fate and as a valued and trusted partner. Establish and maintain constructive and collaborative working relationships with other leads, stakeholders, and senior leaders.
• Influence the development of and implementation of NDA strategic goals and objectives.
• Direct Count Lab priorities and strategic goals in alignment with SBK integration and Planning ASD prioritization efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant experience as a Senior Certified Fissile Material Handler and as a RMA Supervisor or equivalent.
• Advanced knowledge of two or more of the following: radiation interactions, nuclear physics, nondestructive assay instrumentation, equipment maintenance, software design, or electronics.
• Advanced communication, facilitation, negotiation, and collaboration skills, necessary to present, explain, mediate, negotiate, and advise technical staff, with management at all levels and in presentations to large and diverse audiences.
• Significant experience with team building and conflict resolution including organizing and effectively coordinating multiple and frequently conflicting, concurrent tasks with attention to detail, accuracy, and follow through.
• Significant experience in project or program management including scheduling, cost estimating, risk analysis, or reporting or including with purchasing and procurement of high-cost instrumentation.
• Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment with advanced analytical, technical, and organizational decision making and problem-solving skills in order to safely and compliantly accomplish objectives in a nuclear facility.

Qualifications we desire

• M.S. or other degree in Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Familiarity with DOE Nuclear Facility, Quality Assurance, and ES&H requirements.
• Significant experience handling radioactive, pyrophoric, or other hazardous materials.
• Significant experience troubleshooting and maintaining instruments.
• Advanced knowledge of programming languages such as C#, LabView, SQL, Rs Logix, Matlab, and VBA.
• Experience with FRAM, MGA, INCC, and MultiCal NDA analysis software.

Pay Range

$175,530 - $222,564 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information

Position Information

This is a Flexible Term appointment, which is for a definite period not to exceed six years.  If final candidate is a Career Indefinite employee, Career Indefinite status may be maintained (should funding allow).

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.