Program Manager II - Dynamic Experiments

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).  Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy.  Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.  In this environment, the best ideas need to be voiced and every opinion matters.  As such, MSTS places great value on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and is committed to a diverse and equitable workforce, with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, and perspectives.

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.  
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.

The Program Manager will report to the Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) Manager of the Program Management Office (PMO) and will oversee the Dynamic Experiments portfolio and capability at STL. This includes managing the facilities and staff engaged in the development of advanced measurement techniques and specialized instrumentation in support of NA-10, NA-20, selected SPP, and SDRD priorities. 

Key Responsibilities

• Direct all phases of program for a single customer (e.g., NA-40) with a combined value of $100M+ (may be less based on complexity of scope, unique customer set, or visibility of program) from inception through completion.
• Direct all programmatic phases for experimental physics; the total value of which is approximately $5M annually.
• Provide expert guidance and direction to experimental physics R&D projects that utilize NNSS resources.
• Monitor and report on program performance metrics, such as Earned Value metrics.
• Have responsibility for planning and coordination of budget, execution, and resource allocation with peers and Project Managers on the cost, schedule and technical performance of applicable project work.
• Serves as supervisor and partners with and facilitates collaboration between execution and sponsor organizations.
• Understand and anticipate potential problem areas, related to STL/NNSS work, that will delay or prevent successful project execution; coordinate with the Integrated Project Teams, national laboratories, program offices and sites of the NNSS Global Security Directorate to mitigate problem areas.
• Coordinate the preparation of proposals, execution plans, work statements and specifications using expert knowledge of relevant scientific concepts and methods.
• Successfully negotiate and de-conflict use of NNSS facilities and resources for experimental physics project work.
• Act as primary customer contact for program activities, leading program review sessions with customer to discuss cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Coordinate with the Global Security Program Offices and Sites to establish milestones and monitor adherence to master plans and schedules. Successfully adapt to the needs and objectives of programs in order to ensure project success and a positive experience.
• Coordinate with other program units to plan resource allocation, identify program problems, and identify solutions, such as allocation of resources or changing contractual specifications.
• Direct the work and performance of employees assigned to them.
• Coordinate and serve as point of contact for project data and technical reporting.
• Lead and coordinate planning for maintaining strategic capabilities and critical equipment.
• This is a 20%-time position, and the remainder of the candidate’s time would be expected to be covered by existing direct or indirect research activities.
• Perform other duties assigned by Management.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and experience, plus a minimum of 14 years of related and progressively responsible experience.
• Calculus-based STEM degree preferred.
• Prior experience as technical project lead on one or more Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) or National Laboratory projects preferred.
• Prior technical experience in a scientific or engineering field relevant to shock physics, high speed optical diagnostics development, high temperature and pressure materials physics, or high-explosives materials experimentation is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated excellence managing diverse teams of scientists, engineers, and support personnel in the execution of scientific R&D is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to be creative and deliver upon objectives with limited pre-defined guidance.
• Working knowledge of Earned Value Management is desired.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NNSS processes and procedures such as: Real Estate Operating Permits (REOPs), Work Packages, Authorization Basis, Overflight Permissions, Estimating Procedures and Construction Activities etc. is preferred
• The primary work location will be at the Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) located in Santa Barbara, CA.
• Flexible work schedule can be negotiated with the manager; employees can work 5/8s, 9/80 or 4/10s work-weeks.
• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted.  Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709, “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

Annual salary range for this position is: $154,689.60 - $247,478.40.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.