Mechanical Properties Of Explosives Test Group Leader - Active Security Clearance Required

Job Description
We have an opening for the Mechanical Properties of Explosives (MPX) Group Leader. In this role, you will administratively and programmatically manage the group responsible for the design, commissioning, and execution of our mechanical testing capabilities for high explosives in support of the Strategic Defense Program (SD). In addition, you will be the lead interface to the other program elements who rely on MPX efforts. This includes overseeing test execution, coordinating with stakeholders to deconflict priorities, and providing regular updates on the progress of testing activities.
As an administrative supervisor, your responsibilities include managing the technical workforce and working with program leadership to build and maintain technical expertise, including identifying current engineering capability gaps within the organization and developing staff to meet those needs. This role is administratively in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division, within the Engineering Directorate.
This position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.
This position will be filled at eitherlevel 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
Supervise and provide administrative direction, guidance, support, mentoring, coaching, and promote teamwork for group personnel. Participate in performance reviews, peering, and salary management processes.
Coordinate with stakeholders to identify testing needs and act upon priorities defined by the program stakeholders to schedule for MPX testing efforts. Reach out to stakeholders when conflicts arise and actively support deconfliction/prioritization activities.
Monitor performance required to meet programmatic milestones and deliverables and lead corrective actions where necessary.
Analyze, determine, and implement processes to strengthen testing throughput and tracking.
Maintain exacting standards of test design and reporting:
participate in or lead engineering design reviews;
oversee and approve engineering test plans and reports;
and maintain unimpeachable quality of test data, maintaining traceability to standards as required.
Recruit, hire, and onboard new staff as needed to meet programmatic staffing needs in the Weapons Technology and Engineering (WTE) Program Element.
Ensure explosive operations within the group are performed safely and in accordance with laboratory guidelines.
Serve as a subject matter expert in mechanical properties at meetings, briefings, design reviews, and committee activities both internal and external to the laboratory.
Maintain robust communications, collaborations, and contacts to ensure projects’ status, risks, and issues are communicated in an effective and timely manner to senior leadership and applicable external customers and sponsors.
Pursue new customers and opportunities to grow the scope and diversity of mechanical testing.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Additional job responsibilities, at the SEL.5 level
Use creativity and innovation to lead the application, development, and advancement of principles, theories, and concepts related to mechanical properties.
Provide support for activities that help in managing a strong and capable workforce, including facilitating good team dynamics, and ensuring that adequate resources are provided to meet program/project goals and needs.
Influence strategic technical decisions made by senior management and external customers.
Serve as organizational spokesperson and senior technical expert for Laboratory management and/or as an external advisor for customers and sponsors and serve on external scientific or technical committees.