Director Operational Risk Jobs in Tracy, CA (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 are seeking a Senior 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 and support the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate.

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 

• Provide consultative direction, using in-depth analysis and subject matter expertise in highly advanced concepts, to resolve a diverse range of highly complex problems, independently determine strategies, modify approaches, and pursue actions that impact organizational operations or directions and achieve long-term goals.
• 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.
• Lead system-level 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.
• Apply project management best practices to define work scope, establish priorities, track and complete work objectives on time and within budget.
• Prepare, deliver, and explain written and verbal presentations of technical work to stakeholders and management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.5 level

• Provide broad consultative direction with significant authority, using expert and specialized knowledge, to resolve highly unusual, complex, and/or sensitive problems, and to influence, set, and direct high-level objectives and strategic plans that impact organizational operations and attain long-range program goals and objectives.
• Operate with substantial authority, using in-depth analysis, subject matter expertise, and highly advanced concepts, to resolve a range of highly complex technical and programmatic problems.
• Independently determine strategies, modify approaches, and pursue actions that address risk mitigation approaches.
• Utilize existing resources and partnerships to develop innovative capabilities and expand project impact.
• Provide expert communication, facilitation, collaboration, and influence with senior management and external stakeholders by leveraging subject matter expertise.

• 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.
• Subject matter expertise in an engineering discipline using systems engineering, including technical leadership and project planning.
• Experience executing highly complex engineering work, including developing, analyzing, integrating, or validating engineering designs in a production, research, or development environment.
• Expert level experience with failure mechanisms, risks, assessments, and verifications.
• Experience developing and implementing solutions to highly 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.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage small or multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience interacting and coordinating activities and objectives with all levels of technical staff, managers, stakeholders, vendors, and external organizations.
• Expert 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.

Additional qualifications, at the SES.5 level

• Extensive expert-level experience in the application and development of risk management in an innovative and creative fashion.
• Expertise and demonstrated ability in leading highly technical teams to successfully execute defined projects or programs.
• Extensive experience with advanced-level risk registers and mitigation plans.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, influence, and advise senior management and external sponsors.

Qualifications We Desire

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in engineering, physics, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience with complex engineering projects.
• Certification in Project Management, such as PMP or Systems Engineering certification.
• Proven ability to engage with multidisciplinary teams and deliver innovative solutions, including expertise in systems engineering, precision design, and system commissioning.
• Experience in operational and experimental facility and industry, such as aerospace.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaborations across internal teams, sponsors, and industry partners.
• Broad knowledge of Laboratory policies and practices and applicable NNSA orders.

Pay Range

$210,630 - $320,580 Annually

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

$252,810 - $320,580 Annually for the SES.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.  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.

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.