We have an opening for a Group Leader within the Hydrodynamic Design and Test Groups. The role combines administrative line supervisor responsibilities within the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) with programmatic group lead responsibilities for the Weapon Physics and Design (WPD) program, as the Program Group Leader for Device Engineering. You will lead a multi-disciplinary group to design, fabricate, assemble, and deliver experimental devices for test execution, generate cost and schedule estimates, identify capability gaps, and provide high level guidance for resolving resource conflicts. In addition, you will supervise, mentor, and develop a broad range of technical staff. This position is administratively in DTED, within the Engineering Directorate, and programmatically under the Hydrodynamic and Subcritical Experiments Program Element within WPD.
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
- Supervise and provide administrative direction, guidance, support, mentoring, coaching, and promote teamwork for group personnel. This includes assessing employee total contribution and conducting employee performance reviews as well as recruiting, hiring, and onboarding new staff as needed.
- Provide technical, safety, and security leadership to group personnel and activities and collaborate with project principals and group personnel in defining employee work assignments.
- Exercise advanced level skills in the application and development of engineering best practices, and/or business principles, and theories, concepts, and techniques for the development of hardware subject to extreme environments with significant safety implications.
- Serve as a liaison between manufacturing support, high explosive assembly, and Strategic Deterrence (SD) programs by guiding priority discussions, deconflictions, and managing complex schedules. Represent customer interests at program interface meetings.
- Lead efforts to improve fabrication throughput to increase efficiency and reduce the time from experiment initiation to execution.
- Serve as the work control authorizing individual for key assembly facilities.
- Lead and participate in engineering design reviews by acting as a chairperson, panel member, or reviewer while upholding Engineering Policy and Procedures.
- Serve as a member of the Hydro council to evaluate the feasibility of manufacturing and assembly of complex experimental devices.
- Monitor performance required to meet programmatic milestones and deliverables and lead corrective actions where necessary.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Additional job responsibilities, at the SEL.5 level
- Set high level goals and direction for accomplishing program goals.
- Pilot change by developing new innovative projects or programs, modifying approaches, and/or redefining customer requirements to impact operations or directions.
- Develop strategic technical advice for management and external customers on project execution, efficiency and opportunities for program development.
- Serve on external scientific or technical committees.
- Mentor staff across the organization, including other mentors.