Researcher in Mechanical Engineering

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned 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 take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We have openings for Environmental & Mechanical Test Group Leaders with responsibilities leading and managing technical activities and groups of professional and technical personnel. You will manage personnel and resources to accomplish the technical and administrative requirements for 1) development and execution of environmental testing, including test asset design, instrumentation selection, fixture design, authoring procedures, and reporting 2) data processing for analysis of test data, development of environmental specifications, and system characterization 3) developing and maintaining equipment and facilities capable of performing tests and managing a schedule between multiple stakeholders, 4) developing and maintaining team quality standards, data archival tools, and methodologies used by the Environmental & Mechanical Test Group. Responsibilities will be shared among the Environmental & Mechanical Test Group Leaders. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), within the Engineering Directorate.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

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

• Lead personnel to execute required scope, including technical, safety, and security, while providing a stimulating and challenging environment which encourages continual learning, improved processes and capabilities, and personal growth.
• Oversee the development and execution of environmental tests, including vibration, shock, thermal testing, and other unique tests as necessary.
• Provide guidance to personnel in acquiring, processing, and analyzing data to characterize system behavior and develop environmental specifications in support of Weapon Technologies and Engineering (WTE) Programs.
• Maintain exacting standards of test design and reporting: participate in or lead engineering design reviews; oversee and approve engineering test plans and reports; and maintain unimpeachable quality of test data, maintaining traceability to standards as required.
• Foster and uphold the group’s reputation for delivering on commitments. Monitor performance required to meet programmatic milestones and deliverables and lead corrective actions where necessary.
• Lead the effort of maintaining test quality standards, data archival capabilities, and innovative test methodologies.
• Engage in robust communications, collaborations, and contacts, internal and external to LLNL; represent WTE at meetings, briefings, and committee activities both internal and external to the LLNL, and ensure projects’ status, risks, and issues are communicated in an effective and timely manner to senior leadership.
• Support activities for hiring and managing a robust and capable workforce.
• Conduct performance management activities for group personnel and support DTED ranking and salary processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Job Responsibilities, at the SEL.5 Level

• Influence strategic technical decisions made by senior management and external customers.
• Mentor staff across the organization, including other mentors. Advise across the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) as an expert in weapon design engineering and qualification work.
• Serve as organization spokesperson by Laboratory management and/or external advisor by sponsors. Serve on external scientific or technical committees, representing the Laboratory.

Qualifications

• This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant experience in environmental testing including: mechanical vibration, thermal, and shock test techniques; specification of appropriate diagnostics, data acquisition, and digital signal processing techniques; and environmental test facility operations, upgrade, and maintenance, including the environment producing equipment, instrumentation, and data acquisition.
• Significant knowledge of nuclear weapon systems, the design, stockpile-to-target environments, and the environment-associated failure mechanisms.
• Effective organizational skills, highly advanced knowledge and experience with project management tools and techniques, including work planning, scheduling, cost estimating, analyzing and managing financial data, and project reporting.
• Significant experience in formal design reviews, technical presentations, assembly procedures, Work Planning and Control, and technical reporting.
• Ability to promote and maintain productive relationships across directorates, with other laboratories, and with personnel from external entities, using expert communication and collaboration skills, necessary to present, explain, and advise senior management and/or external sponsors.
• Effective leadership, interpersonal skills, and supervisory skills to lead personnel and assess performance.
• Ability to travel.

Additional Qualifications at the SEL.5 Level

• Accomplished record in environmental & mechanical testing for nuclear weapons systems.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, influence, and advise senior management and external sponsors.
• Extensive experience and expert environmental & mechanical testing knowledge to foster advancements that may have impact beyond the Laboratory and the Nuclear Security Enterprise.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering or related field.
• Working knowledge of Laboratory policies and practices and applicable NNSA orders.

Pay Range

$227,430 - $346,140 Annually

• $227,430 - $288,396 Annually for the SEL.4 level
• $272,970 - $346,140 Annually for the SEL.5 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.

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 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire.

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.

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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.

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