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 committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$114,912 - $214,032 Annually for the SES.3 level
$137,856 - $256,824 Annually for the SES.4 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 an opening for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to participate in new and ongoing projects at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). You will lead the design, deployment, fabrication and assembly of various nuclear weapon components; surveillance of nuclear stockpile components; and engineering testing for evaluation and maintenance of the enduring and future nuclear weapon stockpile at several facilities in the United States, primarily supporting the work at the Device Assembly Facility (DAF) in Nevada. You will interface with colleagues at other National Laboratories and Production Agencies, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and Department of Defense (DoD) and their contractors. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), within the Engineering Directorate and primary job responsibility will occur at the NNSS. DTED provides support to Strategic Deterrence (SD) Programs.

This position 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. 

You will 

Provide technical expertise in engineering requirements, develop conceptual designs, and perform supporting analyses of complex mechanical systems, test prototypes, and associated diagnostics.Lead and/or provide guidance and technical direction to multidisciplinary project teams in a growing, dynamic environment.Lead team members in the execution of the detail design process, component part fabrication, and unit assembly.Provide expertise for engineering relevant subjects and provide technical guidance in development of solutions to complex problems that may not be well defined.Produce safety and engineering documentation, lead in engineering design reviews, and collaborate in the development of innovative methods and technology.Produce advanced conceptual and detail designs in support of on-going projects.Lead engineering testing operations, analyze results, and write reports.Prepare, present, and explain written and verbal presentations of technical work, including providing advice to management.Oversee detailed plans, schedules, and budgets for project activities, focusing on defining, developing, and deploying critical components consistent with schedule and budget constraints.Maintain and ensure quality standards for deliverables, leveraging team members’ skills to successfully complete complex projects.Coordinate project interfaces and deployment, including interfacing with other organizations internal and external to the Laboratory.Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level

Provide expert capability in solving highly complex problems, and apply highly advanced engineering knowledge to resolve technical and programmatic issues.Perform advanced level technical tasks to provide solutions for a diverse range of highly complex issues.Set broad project vision and strategy and influence technical direction for self and others.Manage scope of work that involves many parallel tasks requiring the resolution of conflicting work requirements, as well as prioritization of tasks toward targets.Collaborate with sponsors/customers and lead industry partners to address sponsor/customer needs from the Subject Matter Expert (SME) perspective. 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 field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.Advanced knowledge of and significant experience with one or more of the following: engineering hardware design, systems engineering, manufacturing techniques, testing processes, FEA structural analysis.Advanced working knowledge of and/or significant experience with design principles, material properties, and manufacturing methods.Significant experience working effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and/or project planning, scheduling, professional service estimates, and adherence to completion dates.Demonstrated ability to lead and manage small and multi-disciplinary teams.Significant experience using standard project management practices.Experience developing and implementing solutions to complex problems, including applying technical best practices, theories, concepts, and techniques.Desire to work on National Security projects related to nuclear weapons and flexibility to work in different technical areas.Advanced verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information.Ability to travel up to 50% time between Las Vegas, NV and Livermore, CA, or other DOE complex sites, as needed.Ability to secure and maintain certification in the Human Reliability Program (HRP), which includes polygraph examination, physical and psychological assessment, and random drug and alcohol testing.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

Expert level knowledge of and significant  experience with engineering hardware design, fabrication, or testing processes.Demonstrated ability to successfully manage a scope of work that involves many parallel tasks, including resolving conflicting work requirements and prioritizing tasks.Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, influence, and advise senior management and/or external sponsors.

Qualifications We Desire

Advanced knowledge of systems engineering principles and practices and their application.Advance knowledge of materials, equipment, or technologies associated with production of mechanical hardware, electronics, additive manufacturing, and QA/QC documentation skills.Advanced knowledge and experience in nuclear weapons program stockpile systems, components, classified materials, experimental data, and related diagnostic and testing equipment.Advanced knowledge of nuclear facility operation, including a basic understanding of safety bases documentation.Significant experience working in an environment with stringent safety and security practices. Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!Flexible Benefits Package401(k)Relocation AssistanceEducation Reimbursement ProgramFlexible schedules (*depending on project needs)Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversityOur core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

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.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

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.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

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.

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