Continuous Improvement First Line Manager (Manufacturing Manager 3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory

What You Will Do

Lead Lasting Change Through Root Cause and Innovation

Do you thrive on uncovering root causes and driving transformative change? We're looking for a First Line Manager (FLM) for Continuous Improvement within our Assessments Group (PAQ-4) charged with embedding continuous improvement methodologies and structured problem-solving across the enterprise. As part of the Production Agency Quality division, this team leads the charge in identifying systemic issues, executing causal analyses, and embedding continuous improvement practices across technical operations. You'll guide a team that applies investigative and improvement methodologies to enable sustainable performance improvement.

As the FLM, you'll direct professionals to define improvement scope, negotiate priorities with diverse customers, and represent the business unit in high-visibility forums.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead causal analyses and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) programs
  • Apply CI methodologies to eliminate waste and reduce variability
  • Facilitate cross-functional workshops and coach teams in data-driven problem solving
  • Track and report improvement-project ROI and sustainability

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Technical Breadth: Thorough knowledge of, and experience in, at least one of the following: manufacturing technology, weapons-component production, production control, or program management-providing the technical foundation for improvement initiatives.

  • Leadership of Multidisciplinary Teams: Demonstrated success guiding scientists, engineers, and technicians through CI projects-mentoring, conflict resolution, and team building.
  • Resource & Schedule Management: Experience acquiring CI resources, creating resource-loaded schedules, and meeting cost/schedule commitments for improvement actions.
  • Work-Package & Compliance Expertise: Proven ability to craft CI work packages that meet facility, safety, and conduct-of-engineering requirements.
  • Business Operations Acumen: Background managing budgets, human resources, and procurement associated with improvement portfolios.
  • Communication: Skilled in presenting root-cause findings, improvement roadmaps, and performance updates to all organizational levels.
  • Role-Specific Depth: Hands-on expertise with Lean, Six Sigma (DMAIC/DMADV), 5 Whys, Fishbone, or equivalent CI tools, delivering measurable gains in manufacturing or R&D settings. Track record of sustaining improvement results over time with measurable ROI.

Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in a related field from an accredited institution and 5 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Clearance: Active DOE Q Clearance and HRP Certification highly desirable.
  • Leadership Experience: A minimum of 2 years related management experience and demonstrated success leading enterprise-level CI initiatives or transformation projects.
  • Derivative Classifier/Reviewing Official (DC/RO): Knowledge of derivative classification or reviewing official experience. Current qualification as a DC/RO preferred.
  • Problem Solving & Mentoring: Experience with structured problem-solving frameworks (e.g., A3, 8D, DMAIC). Familiarity with reliability engineering, PFMEAs, or hazard analysis techniques. Experience coaching or training others in CI tools and methodologies.
  • Certifications: Has CI certification(s) such as Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Certified Lean Expert/Facilitator, Shingo Practitioner, Certified Quality Engineer, Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational excellence, or Change Management Certification.

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:

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 opt. 3.

Apply

Read Full Description
Confirmed 3 hours ago. Posted 4 days ago.

Discover Similar Jobs

Suggested Articles