Science/Engineering Program Manager 4 / Isotope Program Manager
- Req. Number: IRC143311
- Organization : Chemistry
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Salary: $153,600 - $266,500
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 radiochemical 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
Federal Sponsor and Customer Engagement
Technical and Regulatory Expertise
Program Integration and Risk Management
Communication and Leadership
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:
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 your experience meets the minimum job requirements is required for consideration.
Work Schedule: This position is expected to work full-time onsite in Los Alamos, New Mexico, with flexibility as operational needs allow.
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.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
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.
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 radiochemical 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 your experience meets the minimum job requirements is required for consideration.
Work Schedule: This position is expected to work full-time onsite in Los Alamos, New Mexico, with flexibility as operational needs allow.
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.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
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.
