What are the responsibilities and job description for the ISR-8 Deputy Group Leader (R&D Manager 3) position at Los Alamos National Laboratory?
What You Will Do
The Space Nuclear Sensing Group (ISR-8) is seeking a Deputy Group Leader (DGL) to serve as a core member of the group leadership team while maintaining active technical engagement.
ISR-8 delivers physics-based interpretation, detector development, modeling, and end-to-end mission solutions in x-ray, gamma-ray, and neutron sensing across national security and space science missions. The group consists primarily of nuclear engineers and scientists, including postdoctoral researchers and students, working across a diverse technical portfolio in close collaboration with engineering partners.
The Deputy Group Leader role is designed to grow into a true leadership partnership. The DGL will work closely with the Group Leader to help shape direction, test ideas, and support disciplined execution across the portfolio. This position is approximately 50% leadership and 50% technical contribution.
In this role, you will:
Strategic Partnership and Representation
Minimum Job Requirements:
Technical Expertise
Recognized scientific competence in one or more ISR-8 mission areas, or closely related technical fields, with demonstrated ability to engage meaningfully in radiation sensing and mission-focused technical work.
Leadership Potential and Judgment
Experience contributing to technical teams, projects, or organizational efforts. Demonstrated potential to operate effectively in complex institutional environments, with willingness to grow into broader leadership responsibility. Ability to engage constructively in disagreement and align behind agreed direction.
Communication
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical and institutional considerations clearly.
Safety and Professional Standards
Commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, and respectful work environment consistent with Laboratory expectations, including readiness to assume responsibility during safety and security matters.
Education/Experience
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 5 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (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.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:
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.
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.
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.
Equal Opportunity: 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 federal, state, and local laws and regulations. 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 such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
The Space Nuclear Sensing Group (ISR-8) is seeking a Deputy Group Leader (DGL) to serve as a core member of the group leadership team while maintaining active technical engagement.
ISR-8 delivers physics-based interpretation, detector development, modeling, and end-to-end mission solutions in x-ray, gamma-ray, and neutron sensing across national security and space science missions. The group consists primarily of nuclear engineers and scientists, including postdoctoral researchers and students, working across a diverse technical portfolio in close collaboration with engineering partners.
The Deputy Group Leader role is designed to grow into a true leadership partnership. The DGL will work closely with the Group Leader to help shape direction, test ideas, and support disciplined execution across the portfolio. This position is approximately 50% leadership and 50% technical contribution.
In this role, you will:
Strategic Partnership and Representation
- Contribute thoughtfully to group-level strategy and priorities.
- Engage in candid evaluation of options and tradeoffs to inform sound decision-making.
- Represent ISR-8 in Division forums with increasing responsibility and confidence.
- Support alignment within the group once decisions are made.
- Help translate strategic priorities into coordinated technical execution.
- Work with project leaders to align scope, schedules, and resources.
- Identify emerging technical or organizational issues early and help resolve them constructively.
- Balance project-level needs with broader group priorities.
- Contribute to workforce planning, hiring discussions, and resource stewardship.
- Support oversight of facilities, safety, security, Integrated Work Documents (IWDs), and other institutional requirements.
- Help maintain operational discipline and a culture of accountability.
- Mentor and support staff across career stages, particularly early-career scientists.
- Help sustain a respectful, high-performing team culture.
- Work with the Group Leader to continue developing leadership capability and institutional awareness.
- Maintain an active and credible technical portfolio aligned with ISR-8 mission areas.
- Contribute to proposal development, research execution, and cross-organizational collaboration.
- Stay engaged in the technical substance of the work to ensure leadership decisions remain grounded.
Minimum Job Requirements:
Technical Expertise
Recognized scientific competence in one or more ISR-8 mission areas, or closely related technical fields, with demonstrated ability to engage meaningfully in radiation sensing and mission-focused technical work.
Leadership Potential and Judgment
Experience contributing to technical teams, projects, or organizational efforts. Demonstrated potential to operate effectively in complex institutional environments, with willingness to grow into broader leadership responsibility. Ability to engage constructively in disagreement and align behind agreed direction.
Communication
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical and institutional considerations clearly.
Safety and Professional Standards
Commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, and respectful work environment consistent with Laboratory expectations, including readiness to assume responsibility during safety and security matters.
Education/Experience
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 5 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline
- Experience with budgeting, workforce planning, facilities oversight, or administrative stewardship
- Familiarity with DOE, NNSA, DoD, NASA, or related mission agencies
- Experience operating at the intersection of technical execution and institutional decision-making
- Demonstrated experience mentoring and developing technical staff
- Experience with proposal development
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (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.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 childbirth and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
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.
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.
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.
Equal Opportunity: 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 federal, state, and local laws and regulations. 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 such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.