Principal Associate Director (PAD) for Computing
Physics World, Livermore, CA, United States
Company Overview
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) turns bold ideas into world‑changing impact, advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.
Our mission spans four critical national security areas: nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi‑domain defense, empowering teams to tackle the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow.
Job Description Principal Associate Director (PAD) for Computing. This leadership position reports to the Laboratory Director and is a member of the Laboratory’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The PAD manages the lab’s computing workforce (~1400 employees) and enhances the intellectual vibrancy of computing and related disciplines. The role shapes the Laboratory’s strategic vision and articulates a strategy for the Principal Directorate, manages discretionary R&D resources, and sustains relationships with government agencies that fund computing R&D.
You Will Have
Partner with the SLT to create and advance strategies to achieve institutional goals.
Develop and implement strategies for the sustainment and advancement of computing discipline and capabilities.
Maintain close partnerships with key stakeholders in government, academia, and industry including DOE/NNSA.
Work with lab leadership to address technical and workforce challenges in computing, especially AI, data science, and emerging or next‑generation capabilities.
Collaborate with the SLT on long‑term, multidisciplinary initiatives supporting the lab’s future programmatic needs.
Oversee the Computing directorate budget in line with Laboratory and DOE fiscal policies.
Manage Directorate personnel, ensuring an effective system for recruiting, hiring, managing, and developing a high‑quality scientific staff.
Provide oversight and personal commitment to safety, security, environmental stewardship, good business practices, compliance, and equal opportunity.
Qualifications
Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q/SCI‑level security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
Ph.D. in computing or related discipline, or equivalent education and experience.
Extensive senior‑level experience leading a large‑scale, mission‑oriented research and development organization.
Expertise and national visibility in advanced computing and its applications.
Broad knowledge of the DOE/NNSA laboratory enterprise.
Demonstrated success in managing scientific programs, projects, or organizations and promoting creative solutions to complex scientific problems.
Experience leading a large complex technical organization, including hiring processes, workforce development, resource management, and strategic planning.
Ability to manage technical priorities and balance program milestones while maintaining world‑class computing capabilities.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills necessary to explain, present, direct, negotiate, influence, and coordinate technical or programmatic activities.
Extensive experience balancing complex technical, budgetary, and personnel priorities to achieve desired results.
Experience ensuring standards of safety, security, environmental stewardship, and quality assurance are established and followed.
Desired Qualifications
Broad knowledge of national security policy issues.
Established contacts with the relevant academic, national laboratory, industry, and government communities.
Pay Range $521,580 - $669,864
Position Information At‑Will, Career Indefinite position open to Laboratory employees and external candidates. Requires a commitment to serve at least two years.
Benefits
Best Places to Work (2026) recognition.
Flexible benefits package.
401(k) plan.
Relocation assistance.
Education reimbursement program.
Flexible schedules (depending on project needs).
Commitment to inclusion and diversity.
Security Clearance This position requires Department of Energy Q‑level clearance with SCI access. A federal background investigation will be conducted. All L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q‑level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.
Pre‑Employment Drug Test External applicants selected for this position must pass a post‑offer, pre‑employment drug test, including testing for marijuana per federal law.
Equal Employment Opportunity We are an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.
Reasonable Accommodation We aim to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.
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Our mission spans four critical national security areas: nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi‑domain defense, empowering teams to tackle the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow.
Job Description Principal Associate Director (PAD) for Computing. This leadership position reports to the Laboratory Director and is a member of the Laboratory’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The PAD manages the lab’s computing workforce (~1400 employees) and enhances the intellectual vibrancy of computing and related disciplines. The role shapes the Laboratory’s strategic vision and articulates a strategy for the Principal Directorate, manages discretionary R&D resources, and sustains relationships with government agencies that fund computing R&D.
You Will Have
Partner with the SLT to create and advance strategies to achieve institutional goals.
Develop and implement strategies for the sustainment and advancement of computing discipline and capabilities.
Maintain close partnerships with key stakeholders in government, academia, and industry including DOE/NNSA.
Work with lab leadership to address technical and workforce challenges in computing, especially AI, data science, and emerging or next‑generation capabilities.
Collaborate with the SLT on long‑term, multidisciplinary initiatives supporting the lab’s future programmatic needs.
Oversee the Computing directorate budget in line with Laboratory and DOE fiscal policies.
Manage Directorate personnel, ensuring an effective system for recruiting, hiring, managing, and developing a high‑quality scientific staff.
Provide oversight and personal commitment to safety, security, environmental stewardship, good business practices, compliance, and equal opportunity.
Qualifications
Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q/SCI‑level security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
Ph.D. in computing or related discipline, or equivalent education and experience.
Extensive senior‑level experience leading a large‑scale, mission‑oriented research and development organization.
Expertise and national visibility in advanced computing and its applications.
Broad knowledge of the DOE/NNSA laboratory enterprise.
Demonstrated success in managing scientific programs, projects, or organizations and promoting creative solutions to complex scientific problems.
Experience leading a large complex technical organization, including hiring processes, workforce development, resource management, and strategic planning.
Ability to manage technical priorities and balance program milestones while maintaining world‑class computing capabilities.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills necessary to explain, present, direct, negotiate, influence, and coordinate technical or programmatic activities.
Extensive experience balancing complex technical, budgetary, and personnel priorities to achieve desired results.
Experience ensuring standards of safety, security, environmental stewardship, and quality assurance are established and followed.
Desired Qualifications
Broad knowledge of national security policy issues.
Established contacts with the relevant academic, national laboratory, industry, and government communities.
Pay Range $521,580 - $669,864
Position Information At‑Will, Career Indefinite position open to Laboratory employees and external candidates. Requires a commitment to serve at least two years.
Benefits
Best Places to Work (2026) recognition.
Flexible benefits package.
401(k) plan.
Relocation assistance.
Education reimbursement program.
Flexible schedules (depending on project needs).
Commitment to inclusion and diversity.
Security Clearance This position requires Department of Energy Q‑level clearance with SCI access. A federal background investigation will be conducted. All L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q‑level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.
Pre‑Employment Drug Test External applicants selected for this position must pass a post‑offer, pre‑employment drug test, including testing for marijuana per federal law.
Equal Employment Opportunity We are an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.
Reasonable Accommodation We aim to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.
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