Superintendent - Materials Engineering Division

We have an opening for a Division Superintendent in the Materials Engineering Division (MED). The Division Superintendent will oversee approximately 50 technical employees and 4 supervisors across various sections within MED and will serve as the Division Safety and Security Officer (MED-SSO). In this role, you will be part of the MED leadership team and will focus on the management and utilization of technical employees supporting the research and programmatic activities of the Division. Under general guidance, you will act as an interface between science and engineering leadership and the technical workforce, while ensuring a safe and secure work environment. Within your area of influence, you will be responsible for ensuring that all safety, security, personnel, and quality policies and practices are followed in Division activities involving the technical staff. You will oversee the management and leadership of a large and diverse workforce consisting primarily of mechanical technologists, including engineering associates, as well as personnel with electronics expertise, chemical expertise, and coordination responsibilities who support multiple programs. This position will report to the MED Division Leader (DL) on personnel, safety, and security issues and will work closely with the Associate Division Leaders (ADLs) on staffing strategies, capability investments, and programmatic issues.  This position is within the Materials Engineering Division (MED) within the Engineering directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will 

• Provide advanced technical leadership and supervision to, and collaborate with, a multidisciplinary team of employees, including supervisors, on personnel actions such as hiring, performance appraisals, alignment, salary administration, promotions, and corrective actions, while working with other division superintendents and ADLs to ensure that technical staffing is consistent with Division and program needs.
• Maintain close working relationships with ADLs to ensure the timely staffing of key positions for project execution, assess programmatic needs, and identify, communicate, justify, and request required program support resources.
• Perform the duties of the MED-SSO, including representing MED to the PAD Assurance Office and leading Division efforts on safety-related issues, Work Planning and Control, and implementing security directives.
• Hold regular meetings with technician supervisors to discuss work practices, feedback, applicable hazards, controls, and improvements.
• Participate in, recommend, implement, and execute policy development processes, and provide overall management of the technical workforce in support of the PAD Chief Technologist.
• Participate in workforce development, including building and maintaining relationships with colleges and technical schools, as well as recruiting, mentoring, and supporting the career development of technical staff.
• Review and approve employee training qualifications as a second-line supervisor/approver.
• Exercise significant independent judgment, discretion, and initiative in pursuit of highly complex Division, Section, and programmatic technical and administrative missions.
• Ensure adherence to the Laboratory's ES&H regulations, security requirements, business practices, and personnel policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the TSL.5 level

• Utilize expert-level knowledge and a high level of professional competence to analyze and interpret highly complex administrative and technical information and project objectives, develop requirements and concepts, and implement creative solutions to solve complex problems.
• Interact frequently and closely with LLNL program managers, project engineers and scientists, and other technical contacts and stakeholders both outside the work unit and external to LLNL.
• Participate in and host meetings on technical areas within the Division.
• Assume a lead role in addressing highly unusual and complex situations that arise within the Division’s experimental operations; solutions may often require creative approaches or innovative solutions.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering technology, technical management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Expert-level written and verbal communication skills, as well as demonstrated success in resolving complex problems and applying negotiation skills necessary to manage personnel issues positively by communicating effectively, defusing conflicts, and overcoming setbacks.
• Significant experience providing supervision, workforce planning, coaching, and mentoring to staff members, preparing performance appraisals, and participating in alignment and hiring activities.
• Significant experience leading a team or group and directing technical support work in a multidisciplinary team environment, along with a demonstrated ability to effectively manage and utilize people and available resources.
• Extensive verbal and written communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, and advise senior management, external sponsors, regulators, reviewers, and stakeholders, as well as to ensure program requirements are communicated in a timely manner.
• Experience leading safety walkthroughs and reviews, and an understanding of the Institutional Tracking System and work control processes.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with people at all levels of the organization.
• Experience interacting with division, directorate, and program-level management.

Additional qualifications at the TSL.5 level 

• Expert knowledge in one or more state-of-the-art technologies maintained within the Division.
• Recognized expertise in one or more technical areas utilized across the NNSA complex.
• Expert-level knowledge of staff development and extensive related experience in hiring activities.

Qualifications We Desire

• Knowledge of Engineering policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated management skills in support of major Laboratory programs.
• Experience applying Integrated Safety Management.
• Familiarity with safety systems associated with radiation and explosive technologies and hazards.
• Experience interacting with other DOE laboratories and with major LLNL programs and their elements that utilize MED to support their experimental activities.
• Knowledge of and experience interpreting and implementing Laboratory policies, procedures, and practices, especially in personnel management, ES&H, security, and quality.

Pay Range

$200,760 - $305,544 Annually

$200,760 - $254,544 Annually for the TSL.4 level

$240,960 - $305,544 Annually for the TSL.5 level

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.

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

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.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

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