Director Research Development Jobs in California

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.

• 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.

Responsibilities
Mission Support and Test Services (MSTS) is seeking an accomplished research and engineering executive to lead its Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) in Santa Barbara, CA. This nationally recognized laboratory develops innovative technologies and scientific capabilities that strengthen U.S. national security by advancing experimental and applied physics, advanced sensing, hardware and software engineering, chemistry and spectroscopy, cyber-physical systems, and data-driven analytics.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Global Security, the Director will provide strategic, technical, operational, and fiscal leadership for a multidisciplinary organization of scientists, engineers, technicians, and managers delivering mission-critical capabilities for government sponsors while supporting the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS).
The successful candidate will shape the laboratory's long-term technical vision, cultivate enduring relationships with government sponsors, build and mentor exceptional technical teams, and oversee the successful execution and continued growth of a diverse portfolio of advanced research and development programs.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership

• Establish and execute the long-term strategic vision for the STL, aligning research investments with MSTS, Global Security, and national security priorities.
• Lead a multidisciplinary laboratory with responsibility for a research portfolio exceeding $35 million, ensuring outstanding technical execution while positioning the organization for sustained growth.
• Develop long-range organizational goals and strategies that strengthen the laboratory's scientific capabilities, workforce, and national reputation.
• Serve as the senior MSTS representative for the STL, providing executive leadership for site operations and organizational performance.
• Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on matters affecting laboratory operations, scientific direction, customer relationships, and business performance.

Research & Technical Leadership

• Guide research spanning experimental and applied physics, advanced sensing and novel detection technologies, chemistry and spectroscopy, cyber-physical systems, embedded hardware and software, systems engineering, cyber security, and emerging scientific disciplines.
• Foster an environment that encourages scientific innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the rapid transition of research into operational capabilities.
• Evaluate technical, operational, and organizational risks and implement strategies to mitigate them while maintaining program success.
• Promote technical excellence through continuous improvement, organizational learning, and rigorous scientific standards.

Government Sponsor Engagement & Business Growth

• Develop and maintain trusted partnerships with government sponsors, serving as the primary executive interface for laboratory activities.
• Collaborate closely with Mission Development and Global Security leadership to identify emerging mission needs, expand the laboratory's research portfolio, and pursue new business opportunities.
• Support enterprise-wide growth initiatives that extend beyond the laboratory and strengthen MSTS's position across the national security community.
• Represent MSTS and the Nevada National Security Sites with government agencies, national laboratories, industry partners, and other external organizations.
• Strengthen collaboration across Global Security divisions to develop integrated, multidisciplinary solutions for complex national security challenges.

Organizational & People Leadership

• Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing workforce of scientists, engineers, technicians, and technical managers.
• Develop and implement strategic workforce planning, including recruiting, succession planning, employee development, and long-term talent retention.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, inclusion, mentorship, and continuous professional development.
• Ensure leaders throughout the organization actively mentor employees and cultivate future technical and organizational leaders.
• Promote open communication and employee engagement, creating an environment where individuals are empowered to contribute ideas, raise concerns, and help shape organizational success.

Operational & Financial Leadership

• Provide executive oversight of laboratory operations, ensuring successful execution of programs with respect to cost, schedule, technical performance, and mission objectives.
• Direct management of laboratory budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation while implementing strategies that optimize operational effectiveness and fiscal stewardship.
• Establish management policies and governance that enable subordinate leaders to operate effectively while maintaining accountability for organizational outcomes.
• Balance operational excellence with innovation while managing the inherent risks associated with a multi-mission, multi-facility national security research organization.
• Champion a culture that prioritizes safety, security, operational excellence, and environmental stewardship.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Chemistry, or another relevant STEM discipline is required. A Ph.D. is highly desirable. Equivalent combinations of education and progressively responsible technical leadership experience will also be considered.
• Twenty (20) or more years of progressive leadership experience managing large-scale technical organizations within complex, highly regulated environments such as DOE, NNSA, DoD, Intelligence Community, aerospace, or defense.
• Must be present at the Santa Barbara location (STL), and willing to reside on the Central Coast of California, within commuting distance to the Laboratory.
• Travel of up to 25% is required, including support activities at the Nevada National Security Site and collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and other government facilities.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary organizations composed of scientists, engineers, and other highly technical professionals.
• Broad understanding of research disciplines including experimental physics, nonproliferation technologies, advanced sensing, hardware and software engineering, systems engineering, cyber security, and related scientific fields.
• Demonstrated ability to establish technical credibility while communicating effectively with subject matter experts across diverse disciplines.
• Executive presence with the ability to communicate complex scientific and technical concepts to senior government officials, executive leadership, sponsors, and external stakeholders.
• Experience developing strong customer relationships and supporting business growth within government-sponsored research environments.
• Leadership style characterized by integrity, humility, active listening, collaboration, accountability, and a demonstrated commitment to employee development.
• The primary work location will be at the Special Technologies Lab in Santa Barbara, CA.
• Work schedule will be 4/10s Monday through Thursday (subject to change).
• 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 Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, 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: $221,540.80 - $365,539.20.
Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.