Counterterrorism Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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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 have an opening for an Associate Program Leader for the Counterterrorism (CT) group within the International Assessments (IA) Program to lead a dynamic team developing and executing the work of the Laboratory in support of intelligence missions in foreign nuclear weapons programs and threats involving radiological or nuclear (R/N) terrorism, and R/N materials. You will serve as a key member of the IA Program leadership team responsible for addressing workforce needs, safety, security, technical quality, standards, and project management to enhance the Laboratory's contributions to national security. In addition, you will substantively oversee the CT group's analytic portfolio. This position is in the IA Program within Global Security Principal Directorate's Z Program.
In this role, you will

• Serve as a member of the IA Program leadership team, influencing the development and implementation of institutional objectives and goals.
• Provide technical and analytical leadership to technical staff to develop and provide subject matter expertise and analysis of foreign nuclear weapons programs and threats involving radiological or nuclear (R/N) terrorism, and R/N materials for multiple government sponsors.
• Identify and pursue program development opportunities, develop an internal investment strategy and work with IA Program Leader, as well as leaders in Z and other Laboratory Programs and Directorates to identify and pursue collaborative projects.
• Formulate and execute short-term and strategic goals for the program, including setting the program's annual research agenda and producing highly advanced, finished intelligence analysis, reports, and briefings that meet intelligence community (IC) tradecraft standards.
• Provide project management oversight for the program's analytic portfolio, including developing project execution plans and ensuring appropriate resource allocation, timelines, and review of the group's deliverables.
• Assist in planning and direct activities for staffing of CT projects; manage program budget, allocate resources, determine qualification standards and attract, retain, recruit, and select staff with technical expertise.
• Lead performance management and career development activities for all members of the CT group, including conducting quarterly check-in and regular 1:1 meetings, writing performance reviews, and providing input for matrix personnel. Develop, implement, and maintain a mentoring program for analysts and principal investigators to support the career development goals of all team members.
• Build, maintain, and enhance strong relationships with external and internal sponsors, customers, and stakeholders to ensure exquisite execution of projects and satisfaction of commitments.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Additional job responsibilities, at the SEL.5 Level

• Develop innovative concepts and provide expert leadership, technical vision, and strategic planning for both analytic and scientific research and development.
• Present project accomplishments and meet customer expectations, as well as identify new opportunities, goals, and application areas by leading the development of proposals interacting with senior program management.
• Develop and implement new innovative analytical capabilities within the program and apply them against an expanding portfolio. 
• Influence strategic decisions made by senior management and external customers at the national level.

• This position requires an active DOE Q clearance at the time of hire and the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
• Master's degree in physical science, nuclear physics, weapons design, engineering, political science or related discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and extensive related experience.
• Subject matter expert knowledge and experience in intelligence analysis of foreign nuclear weapons programs and nuclear proliferation with a demonstrated track record of intelligence community publications. 
• Subject matter expert experience managing, leading, and supervising multidisciplinary teams to execute deliverables for external programmatic sponsors.
• Subject matter expert experience influencing and collaborating with partners and stakeholders to achieve programmatic objectives.
• Subject matter expert in strategizing and developing strategic planning efforts to meet short and long-term mission deliverables.
• Subject matter expert knowledge of Intelligence Community (IC) needs and practices, including SCI security marking, intelligence oversight and compliance, and related security practices.
• Subject matter expert experience working in a classified environment with highly complex, multi-agency security requirements with both classified and unclassified subject matter.
• Expert verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively present, explain, and advise senior management and external sponsors and customers, including preparing and presenting proposals and reporting results.

Additional job qualifications, at the SEL.5 Level

• Ph.D. in physical science, nuclear physics, weapons design, engineering, political science or related discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and extensive related experience and demonstrated ability to champion, lead, and develop innovative cutting-edge principles, theories and concepts.
• Expert knowledge and experience in intelligence analysis of foreign nuclear weapons programs, nuclear (R/N) terrorism and R/N materials in support of national security objectives.
• Extensive experience and demonstrated ability to lead, develop positions on, and perform assessments and analyses of nuclear threats.
•  Expert technical knowledge of advancements that have impact beyond the Laboratory.
• Extensive leadership experience and demonstrated success directing technical leaders, supervising personnel management, resource planning and control experience, while working with a diverse organization comprised of scientific, technical, analytical, and administrative workforce.
• Expert verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively collaborate with internal and external teams, and to advise and influence senior management and external sponsors.

Qualifications We Desire

• Active Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
• Demonstrated publication record in the intelligence community on a relevant national security issue area.
• Significant experience meeting intelligence community analytic tradecraft standards.

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, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

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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 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.  Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.  Please note that your current active Q or Top Secret clearance with DOE or another agency does not guarantee DOE SCI access approval; if you are denied access, you may be subject to reinvestigation of your existing Q or Top Secret Clearance. 

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.

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. 

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