Science​/Engineering Program Manager​/Isotope Program Manager

Position: Science/Engineering Program Manager 4 / Isotope Program Manager
** What You Will Do*
* Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a visionary, mission-driven leader to serve as the Isotope Program Manager. You will provide strategic leadership and portfolio management for the Laboratory's approximately $20 million per year Isotope Program, which produces critical radioisotopes that save lives, enable scientific discovery, and strengthen national security.

The program leverages unique accelerator and radio chemical processing capabilities to deliver medical, industrial, research, and national security isotopes through the United States Department of Energy Isotope Program. From advancing targeted alpha therapy for cancer treatment to strengthening domestic isotope supply chains, this work has lasting national impact.

Reporting to the Chemistry Division Leader, you will serve as the primary interface with federal sponsors to define scope, funding, and milestones. You will translate sponsor priorities into executable strategies, integrate complex technical activities across multiple organizations, and ensure successful program delivery.

This role balances reliable isotope production with research and development, positions the portfolio for future growth, and ensures excellence in safety, security, quality, and regulatory compliance. It is a rare opportunity to lead nationally significant science where strategy and mission impact intersect.

** What You Need*
* ** Minimum

Job Requirements:

*
* ** Strategic Program Leadership*
* + Demonstrated experience leading complex scientific or engineering programs with responsibility for scope, cost, schedule, quality, and performance milestones.

+   Proven ability to develop multi-year program strategies, execution plans, and portfolio roadmaps aligned with institutional and sponsor priorities.

** Federal Sponsor and Customer Engagement*
* + Experience serving as a primary interface to senior-level federal sponsors or external customers, including negotiating scope, deliverables, funding profiles, and performance expectations.

+   Demonstrated success building trust, gaining consensus, and resolving conflicts across institutional boundaries.

** Technical and Regulatory Expertise*
* + Expert-level knowledge of isotope production, radiochemistry, nuclear science, accelerator-based production systems, or a closely related technical discipline.

+   Strong knowledge of regulatory, safety, security, and quality requirements governing radiological production and research operations.

** Program Integration and Risk Management*
* + Experience defining work breakdown structures, establishing cost and schedule baselines, managing change control, and implementing risk mitigation strategies across complex, multi-organization portfolios.

+   Demonstrated ability to integrate programmatic priorities with institutional safety, security, environmental, and operational requirements.

** Communication and Leadership*
* + Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including preparation of formal reports, budget justifications, and executive-level briefings.

+   Demonstrated ability to foster an inclusive, respectful, and high-performing work environment.

** Training/

Certifications:

** Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance, which typically requires United States citizenship.

** Education/

Experience:

*
* Position requires a bachelor's degree in a science or engineering related field from an accredited institution and 12 years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level, an advanced degree is typically preferred.

** Desired

Qualifications:

*
* + Doctoral degree in nuclear chemistry, radiochemistry, nuclear physics, chemical engineering, or a closely related discipline.

+   Experience working with the United States Department of Energy Isotope Program or similar federal science and production programs.

+   Experience overseeing radiological facility upgrades, capital equipment installations, or infrastructure modernization efforts.

+   Knowledge of QA/QC processes and principles relevant to isotope production.

+   Active Department of Energy Q clearance.

** Work Environment:*
* *
* Work Location:

** The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

** Position commitment:
** Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

** Note to Applicants:*
* Occasional travel will be required to meet with federal sponsors, national laboratory partners, and to represent the program at technical reviews and scientific conferences. A comprehensive cover letter addressing how…