Director, Research & Development Laboratory – Santa Barbara

Job Title

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.

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.

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.

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,…