Risk Manager

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.

We are seeking a Risk Manager to develop, implement, and lead risk assessments for innovative engineering projects involving advanced systems and components. You will provide technical leadership in risk management to support the development, integration, qualification, and delivery and maturation of risk processes. In addition, you will lead and support complex engineering efforts on technical systems, including project integration, risk identification and management, requirements development and traceability, mapping of designs and functions, failure mechanisms, assessments, and verification planning. You will partner closely with project teams to develop deep technical understanding of system behavior, support maturation of system requirements, participate in system-level architecture and analysis, and contribute to test planning to verify requirements.

You will also apply project management best practices and engineering judgment to define priorities, guide execution, manage schedules and budgets, coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, and ensure deliverables are completed on time and within scope. This position supports the Sustainment and Enhanced Yield Capability Projects for the National Ignition Facility, which is a round-the-clock operational facility conducting laser fusion experiments. This is an opportunity to work on impactful projects that push the boundaries of engineering and technology in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate, to support several National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS) / Light Matter and Fusion (LMF) projects.

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

• Apply in-depth analysis of tangible and intangible factors and advanced knowledge within a recognized specialty to resolve complex technical and programmatic problems, working independently with minimal direction within the scope of the assignment, and set specific technical strategy and direction for self and others.
• Conduct advanced application of risk assessments for systems engineering and project execution practices to support complex engineering programs.
• Lead and manage risk activities, including identifying, assessing, documenting, communicating, and mitigating technical and programmatic risks.
• Lead component and system requirements development activities, including performance requirements identification, interface requirements management, traceability, and verification planning.
• Partner closely with project teams to develop a deep technical understanding of system behavior and ensure requirements, interfaces, and verification approaches are technically sound and aligned with implementation.
• Develop and implement system-level assessments of design architecture and analysis that integrates components and systems into a complete functional system.
• Develop solutions to complex engineering challenges using advanced technical knowledge, engineering best practices, and sound judgment, and collaborate in the development of innovative risk and systems engineering methods.
• Apply project management best practices to define work scope, establish priorities, allocate resources as appropriate, and track and complete work objectives on time and within budget.
• Prepare, deliver, and explain written and verbal presentations of technical work to project teams, customer/sponsor representatives, and management.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for risk management on assigned tasks and projects, serve on internal technical and advisory committees, and mentor other personnel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level

• Use subject matter expert knowledge to evaluate and resolve a diverse range of highly complex problems, determine and pursue courses of action essential to obtain desired outcomes, and establish objectives of the assignment in support of predetermined long-range targets.
• Direct technical tasks and projects and set broad risk management and project vision and strategy, influencing technical direction for self and others.
• Develop new ideas, modify approaches, and/or redefine customer requirements that impact organizational operations or directions, including risk mitigation approaches.
• Develop innovative risk management methods and technology and contribute to the advancement of knowledge, using existing resources and partnerships to expand project impact.
• Provide expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration, and advise senior management and external sponsors by leveraging subject matter expertise.
• Act as prime consultant on large projects that affect the organization's long-term goals, provide strategic technical advice to management and external customers, and mentor other personnel.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a relevant technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced knowledge and significant experience in an engineering discipline using systems engineering, including technical leadership and project planning.
• Experience executing complex engineering work, including developing, analyzing, integrating, or validating engineering designs in a production, research, or development environment.
• Applied experience with failure mechanisms, risks, assessments, and verifications.
• Experience developing and implementing solutions to complex technical problems using technical best practices, theories, concepts, and techniques.
• Advanced experience in project controls, work planning, scheduling, cost estimating, and execution of work to meet milestones and deliverables.

Additional qualifications, at the SES.4 level

• Significant experience and demonstrated ability to lead the application and development of risk management principles, theories, and concepts in a creative and innovative fashion.
• Expertise and demonstrated ability in leading highly technical teams to successfully execute defined projects or programs.
• Significant experience with advanced-level risk registers and mitigation plans.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to present, explain, and advise senior management and external sponsors.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with multidisciplinary teams and deliver innovative solutions, including expertise in systems engineering, precision design, and system commissioning.
• Subject matter expertise recognized internally and externally, with advanced concepts spanning one or more science, technology, or engineering disciplines.

Qualifications We Desire

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in engineering, physics, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience with complex engineering projects.
• Experience with DOE Risk Management Guide G413.3-7A.
• Certification in Project Management, such as PMP or Systems Engineering certification.
• Broad knowledge of LLNL policies
• Ability to lead independent work and to lead and manage small or multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience interacting and coordinating activities and objectives with technical staff, mid-level managers, customer/sponsor representatives, vendors, and external organizations.
• Experience in operational and experimental facility and industry, such as aerospace.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment, present and explain technical information, and provide advice to management and stakeholders.

Pay Range

$175.530 - $267,030 Annually

$175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 level

$210,630 - $267,030 Annually for the SES.4 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.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

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