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W87-1 System Test and Qualification Leader - Active Security Clearance Required

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
tuition reimbursement, 401(k), relocation assistance, remote work
Apr 23, 2026
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 System Test and Qualification (STQ) Leader for the W87-1 Modification Program. Your primary focus will be to provide professional leadership and programmatic oversight for a range of technical qualification activities and lead groups of individuals to design, build, instrument, test, and report on warhead component and assemblies. As the LLNL STQ Leader, you will work closely with Sandia National Laboratories, Lockheed Martin, NNSA, and other Joint Test Partners. You will collaborate with the W87-1 leadership team as well as other DTED groups including the Engineering Design & Test and Environmental and Mechanical Test groups. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) within the Engineering Directorate, supporting the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

This position will be filled at eitherlevel 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 W87-1 System Test and Qualification group with leadership in project development, system integration, warhead expertise, and design qualification / warhead certification work.
  • Oversee multiple W87-1 portfolios of system test activities, ensuring that scope, schedule, costs, and project risks are developed, executed, communicated, and tracked appropriately.
  • Direct and assign work to group members and remain cognizant of the technical goals, workload balances, and progress of group projects.
  • Dene, track, and complete warhead reserve (WR) and Joint Test Assembly (JTA) system test objectives on time and within budget in collaboration with W87-1 personnel. Monitor performance required to meet programmatic milestones and deliverables and lead corrective actions where necessary.
  • Lead the W87-1 Production Planning team to ensure that hardware needed for tests is planned within the Material Requirement Schedule (MRS).
  • Represent STQ at meetings, briengs, and committee activities both internal and external to the Laboratory. Provide advice to program leadership, customers, and external sponsors.
  • Regularly interface with relevant groups across the engineering divisions to ensure system test and qualification priorities are communicated and carried out.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SEL.5 level

  • Work with program management and external stakeholders to perform high level goal setting, contribute to strategic planning efforts for long range goals, identify new opportunities, and inuence strategic decisions.
  • Strategically anticipate, identify, and provide technical leadership to the team to stay ahead of potential high complexity problems.
  • Utilize expertise in weapon design engineering, product lifecycle processes, and qualication to mentor staff across the test team and provide advice across the program.

Qualifications
  • This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical eld, or equivalentcombination of education and related experience.
  • Signicant experience with engineering testing, hardware management, sensors, and product lifecycle processes.
  • Subject matter knowledge of nuclear warhead engineering, systems engineering and integration, and warhead qualification.
  • Advanced facilitation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead cross functional teams and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, as well as to promote and maintain productive relationships across directorates, with other laboratories, and with personnel from external entities.
  • Signicant experience in project leadership. Advanced knowledge of project management tools and techniques, including work planning, scheduling, cost estimating, and managing budgets.
  • Advanced level problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and implementeffective solutions for complex technical challenges.
  • Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment, present and explain technical information, and provide advice to management.
  • Experience working independently and responsively to changing priorities and ability to meet deadlines.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.5 level

  • Extensive experience leading large, complex engineering test and qualification efforts involving multiple organizations, interfaces, and high-consequence deliverables. Expert communication, facilitation, negotiation and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, mediate, compromise, inuence, and advise senior management and external stakeholders.
  • Extensive experience and expertise in testing technical knowledge to address capability advancements that may have impact beyond the laboratory.

Qualifications We Desire

  • Master's degree or PhD in Engineering or related field.

Pay Range

$227,430 - $346,140 Annually

$227,430 - $288,396 Annually for the SEL.4 level

$272,970 - $346,140 Annually for the SEL.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. Pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specic competencies, relevant education, qualications, certications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.


Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

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

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

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

Security Clearance

This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire.

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 useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate 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.

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.

CaliforniaPrivacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitlesjob 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.

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