Performance Assurance & Continuous Improvement (Program Manager 2/3)
- Req. Number: IRC143739
- Organization : OCI/Office of Continuous Improvement
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Recruiter Name: Broge, Margaret Ann
- Recruiter Email: mbroge@lanl.gov
What You Will Do
This position will be filled at the Program Manager 2/ Program Manager 3, depending on the skills of the selected candidate(s). Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
The Associate Directorate of Infrastructure & Capital Projects (ADICP) is seeking two high-performing Program Managers (PM 2/3) to support the Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI) in executing performance assurance and continuous improvement initiatives across infrastructure and capital project programs.
Program Manager 2 ($106,400 - $176,000)
Reporting to OCI leadership, this role is responsible for the execution of contractor assurance, performance evaluation, and continuous improvement activities that enhance program and project outcomes. The position emphasizes disciplined execution of infrastructure planning, project performance analysis, and cost and schedule monitoring, ensuring that risks, issues, and performance gaps are systematically identified, evaluated, and addressed.
The selected candidate will work in close partnership with project managers, planners, engineers, construction teams, and program leadership to enable data-driven decision making and performance transparency across project portfolios. This includes executing structured problem-solving methodologies, supporting Contractor Assurance System (CAS) processes, and ensuring that corrective actions are appropriately developed, implemented, and validated for effectiveness.
Responsibilities include execution of event investigations, including fact finding, stakeholder engagement, and timeline development; application of structured causal analysis methodologies such as 5-Why, Barrier Analysis, Change Analysis, Events & Causal Factors, and A3/8D; and performance of Extent of Condition (EoC) evaluations to identify systemic issues across projects and programs.
The role also includes supporting development and tracking of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), conducting effectiveness evaluations to verify sustained outcomes, and executing assessments, performance reviews, and compliance evaluations. Continuous Improvement (CI) tools and methodologies, including Lean and Six Sigma, are applied to improve project execution, reduce variability, and enhance cost and schedule performance.
Through consistent application of these practices, this position contributes to improved cost predictability, schedule reliability, operational efficiency, and risk reduction across ADICP programs.
Program Manager 3 ($128,000- $215,900):
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
The program manager provides leadership and overall management of an assigned specific strategic non-science or non-engineering scope portfolio, which may be large or small in total budget and may encompass one or more discrete programs. The program manager brokers with customers, individuals, and/or programs to determine what work will be done to meet the customers' needs, general timeframes, and funding requirements. The program manager is expected to develop working relationships that span existing internal and/or external institutional missions and extend into new opportunities as policies, missions, and opportunities evolve. Programs managed are a complex set of related activities needed to produce products or services over time to meet customer requirements within a given mission area. Programs are often ongoing over multiple years and evolve in response to the customers' changing needs. The customer may be an external body, such as a federal agency, or may be an internal organization within the Laboratory. Programs often are funded by a specific source but may comprise similar activities funded by multiple sources.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Program Management Knowledge:
Working knowledge of program and project management principles, including defining work scope, schedules, budgets, priorities, and performance milestones. Familiarity with supporting infrastructure or capital project programs and understanding how program work is executed across multiple projects.
Execution & Project Performance:
Working knowledge of project planning and execution, including participation in scope development, scheduling, and coordination activities. Familiarity with cost and schedule tracking, including understanding variances, forecasts, and project performance metrics. Ability to interpret project performance data and support identification of risks and improvement opportunities.
Problem Solving & Analysis:
Experience applying structured problem-solving methodologies to evaluate issues, identify causes, and support development of solutions. Experience supporting investigations, data analysis, or performance evaluations.
Contractor Assurance & Assessments:
Experience supporting or participating in assessments, performance reviews, or assurance activities in a regulated or project-based environment. Familiarity with Contractor Assurance System (CAS) principles and performance monitoring.
Corrective Actions & Effectiveness:
Experience supporting development, tracking, and evaluation of corrective actions. Familiarity with effectiveness evaluations to determine whether actions resolve issues and provide sustained improvement.
EoC & Performance Evaluation:
Experience supporting or participating in Extent of Condition (EoC) or similar systemic reviews. Ability to analyze data and trends to identify broader impacts across projects or programs.
Communication & Collaboration:
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly through written reports and presentations. Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and engage stakeholders at multiple levels.
Level-Specific Expectations
Program Manager 2
In addition to PM2 responsibilities:
Program Manager 3: Position requires a bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution and 8 years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications
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.
Location: Hybrid - commuting to Los Alamos, NM, USA.
Note to Applicants: Please submit a comprehensive cover letter & resume outlining the requirements of the job description.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
This position will be filled at the Program Manager 2/ Program Manager 3, depending on the skills of the selected candidate(s). Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
The Associate Directorate of Infrastructure & Capital Projects (ADICP) is seeking two high-performing Program Managers (PM 2/3) to support the Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI) in executing performance assurance and continuous improvement initiatives across infrastructure and capital project programs.
Program Manager 2 ($106,400 - $176,000)
Reporting to OCI leadership, this role is responsible for the execution of contractor assurance, performance evaluation, and continuous improvement activities that enhance program and project outcomes. The position emphasizes disciplined execution of infrastructure planning, project performance analysis, and cost and schedule monitoring, ensuring that risks, issues, and performance gaps are systematically identified, evaluated, and addressed.
The selected candidate will work in close partnership with project managers, planners, engineers, construction teams, and program leadership to enable data-driven decision making and performance transparency across project portfolios. This includes executing structured problem-solving methodologies, supporting Contractor Assurance System (CAS) processes, and ensuring that corrective actions are appropriately developed, implemented, and validated for effectiveness.
Responsibilities include execution of event investigations, including fact finding, stakeholder engagement, and timeline development; application of structured causal analysis methodologies such as 5-Why, Barrier Analysis, Change Analysis, Events & Causal Factors, and A3/8D; and performance of Extent of Condition (EoC) evaluations to identify systemic issues across projects and programs.
The role also includes supporting development and tracking of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), conducting effectiveness evaluations to verify sustained outcomes, and executing assessments, performance reviews, and compliance evaluations. Continuous Improvement (CI) tools and methodologies, including Lean and Six Sigma, are applied to improve project execution, reduce variability, and enhance cost and schedule performance.
Through consistent application of these practices, this position contributes to improved cost predictability, schedule reliability, operational efficiency, and risk reduction across ADICP programs.
Program Manager 3 ($128,000- $215,900):
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
The program manager provides leadership and overall management of an assigned specific strategic non-science or non-engineering scope portfolio, which may be large or small in total budget and may encompass one or more discrete programs. The program manager brokers with customers, individuals, and/or programs to determine what work will be done to meet the customers' needs, general timeframes, and funding requirements. The program manager is expected to develop working relationships that span existing internal and/or external institutional missions and extend into new opportunities as policies, missions, and opportunities evolve. Programs managed are a complex set of related activities needed to produce products or services over time to meet customer requirements within a given mission area. Programs are often ongoing over multiple years and evolve in response to the customers' changing needs. The customer may be an external body, such as a federal agency, or may be an internal organization within the Laboratory. Programs often are funded by a specific source but may comprise similar activities funded by multiple sources.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Program Management Knowledge:
Working knowledge of program and project management principles, including defining work scope, schedules, budgets, priorities, and performance milestones. Familiarity with supporting infrastructure or capital project programs and understanding how program work is executed across multiple projects.
Execution & Project Performance:
Working knowledge of project planning and execution, including participation in scope development, scheduling, and coordination activities. Familiarity with cost and schedule tracking, including understanding variances, forecasts, and project performance metrics. Ability to interpret project performance data and support identification of risks and improvement opportunities.
Problem Solving & Analysis:
Experience applying structured problem-solving methodologies to evaluate issues, identify causes, and support development of solutions. Experience supporting investigations, data analysis, or performance evaluations.
Contractor Assurance & Assessments:
Experience supporting or participating in assessments, performance reviews, or assurance activities in a regulated or project-based environment. Familiarity with Contractor Assurance System (CAS) principles and performance monitoring.
Corrective Actions & Effectiveness:
Experience supporting development, tracking, and evaluation of corrective actions. Familiarity with effectiveness evaluations to determine whether actions resolve issues and provide sustained improvement.
EoC & Performance Evaluation:
Experience supporting or participating in Extent of Condition (EoC) or similar systemic reviews. Ability to analyze data and trends to identify broader impacts across projects or programs.
Communication & Collaboration:
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly through written reports and presentations. Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and engage stakeholders at multiple levels.
Level-Specific Expectations
Program Manager 2
- Applies foundational knowledge of program and project management practices to support execution of assigned OCI activities
- Supports coordination of program work across projects, including scope, schedule, and performance tracking
- Assists with cost and schedule analysis, investigations, assessments, and corrective action tracking
- Participates in EoC evaluations and effectiveness reviews with guidance
- Supports customer needs, reporting, and program deliverables under direction
- Builds working relationships with project teams and internal stakeholders
In addition to PM2 responsibilities:
- Applies broad working knowledge of program management to execute and coordinate activities across multiple projects or programs
- Supports definition and coordination of program scope, schedules, budgets, and performance milestones
- Analyzes cost and schedule performance, identifies risks, and supports mitigation strategies
- Performs EoC evaluations and effectiveness reviews with minimal oversight
- Supports customer interface activities, including coordination of deliverables, reporting, and expectations
- Contributes to integration of program work with institutional priorities (safety, quality, contractor assurance, compliance)
- Builds and maintains effective working relationships across organizations and stakeholders
Program Manager 3: Position requires a bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution and 8 years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience supporting infrastructure, construction, or capital projects
- Familiarity with project controls, scheduling, or Earned Value Management (EVM)
- Experience with EoC and effectiveness evaluations
- Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt), PMP, or equivalent certification
- Experience with data analysis and reporting tools (Excel, Power BI, Minitab)
- Knowledge of DOE/NNSA requirements and quality standards (e.g., NQA-1, ASME, ISO)
- Experience interacting with oversight or regulatory organizations
- Active DOE Q Clearance
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.
Location: Hybrid - commuting to Los Alamos, NM, USA.
Note to Applicants: Please submit a comprehensive cover letter & resume outlining the requirements of the job description.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
- Dental and vision insurance
- Free basic life and disability insurance
- Paid childbirth and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
