Company Description
Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!
Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.
We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.
Pay Range
$117,180 - $178,392 Annually
$117,180 - $148,608 Annually for the SES.1 level
$140,700 - $178,392 Annually for the SES.2 level
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.
Job Description
We have multiple openings for
Precision Mechanical Engineers. This work will take place within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate, home to the world’s most energetic laser. It is an exciting time to join the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022, a historic moment in science, opening up new physics regimes and setting the stage for new fusion energy possibilities.
You will work on projects and provide technical expertise involving electromechanical systems with integrated electrical, optical, and mechanical components, novel laser diagnostics, large-scale laser beam path mechanics, positioners for precision laser components, and laser system support hardware. In addition, you will provide engineering solutions for a variety of projects ranging from development of the next generation laser systems to upgrades to the current systems and will be involved throughout the product development life cycle, starting with concept initiation and requirements gathering and continuing to implementation, testing, and installation of the system. These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.
These positions will be filled at either level 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.
In this role you will,
- Engineer current and next generation laser and electromechanical systems and supporting equipment and components by developing conceptual designs and performing supporting analysis in accordance with derived requirements under general direction.
- Contribute and function as a team member to the detail design process, component part fabrication, and unit assembly for systems of limited complexity.
- Contribute and function as a team member for the design and characterization of precision machine subsystems to include prototype testing and diagnostics, assessing tolerance stack-ups, formulating error budgets, and applying measured error compensation systems.
- Develop and execute test plans for prototype components and systems.
- Analyze components and provide supporting safety and engineering documentation.
- Present at and participate in engineering design reviews.
- Prepare technical documents and author technical presentations.
- Develop and execute commissioning, maintenance, and calibration procedures for well-defined subsystems including analyzing, summarizing, and presenting resulting data.
- Generate detailed plans, schedules, and budgets for project activities under general direction.
- Collaborate with team members to ensure the successful integration and proper functioning of commissioned systems.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Additional Job Responsibilities, At The SES.2 Level
- Review scope, schedule, budget, and quality of moderately complex to complex engineering work and provide regular updates to management.
- Define requirements and design experiments to develop advanced capabilities utilizing comprehensive knowledge of systems engineering processes.
- Select methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for detailed hardware design and function of commissioning instrumentation and tooling under limited direction.
Qualifications
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline or equivalent combination of education and previously relevant experience.
- Hands-on experience with the fundamental design, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of limited complexity systems.
- Fundamental knowledge of common data analysis techniques, statistics, and/or systems engineering.
- Fundamental knowledge with precision machine structural design, assembly, real-time error compensation systems, or control design processes.
- Fundamental knowledge of and/or experience with design principles.
- Experience using standard project management practices.
- Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information
Additional Qualifications At The SES.2 Level
- Comprehensive knowledge of moderately complex to complex precision hardware and mechanical system design.
- Hands-on experience with the design, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of precision mechanical systems.
- Broad experience applying systems engineering processes to mechanical design and testing.
- Proficiency and broad experience identifying, defining, and solving moderately complex to complex multi-disciplinary problems in a timely, cost-effective manner.
Qualifications We Desire
- Experience with engineering and measurement systems for precision components.
- Experience working on large teams and significant scale projects.
- Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, or the combination of equivalent education and relevant experience.
Additional Information
Position Information
This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.
Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?
- Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
- Flexible Benefits Package
- 401(k)
- Relocation Assistance
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
- Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values
Security Clearance
This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.
Pre-Employment Drug Test
External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.
Wireless and Medical Devices
Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.
If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.
How To Identify Fake Job Advertisements
Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.
To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with 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
Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.
California Privacy Notice
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.
