Mechanical Engineer (Optomechanical Systems)

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 multiple openings for Mechanical Engineers to support projects in the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science Directorate (NIF&PS). It is an exciting time to join the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022, a historic moment in science, opening new physics regimes and setting the stage for new fusion energy possibilities. NIF also enables scientific exploration into national security, astrophysics, materials, and nuclear sciences.

You will provide engineering solutions across a wide variety of projects and deliverables within NIF&PS. The work scope includes hardware design and development, as well as the application of advanced precision, structural, thermal, and/or fluid analytical tools. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team responsible for executing the design, integration, sustainment, and advancement of systems in support of high-energy laser operations. These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division within the Engineering Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

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.

In this role, you will

• Work under limited direction with moderate responsibility, use comprehensive knowledge, and exercise independent judgment to determine methods and recommend improvements within established frameworks and contribute to the fulfillment of project and organizational goals.
• Contribute to the design and characterize precision machine tools and optomechanical subsystems, including tolerance stack-up analysis, error budgets, and measured error compensation, and mitigation of vibration, thermal drift, and environmental effects on system performance.
• Participate and support laboratory testing, system characterization, and performance validation, and diagnostics for precision systems or optical sensor technology, including prototype testing.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of hands-on engineering R&D test plans, analyze experimental results, and author and present technical reports while working under limited direction.
• Provide solutions to moderately complex to complex detailed designs of subsystems for optics inspection, laser alignment, coating, transport and handling, or metrology systems.
• Participate in and support procedures for assembly, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and calibration of subsystems and contribute to system integration, requirements, and interface control documentation (ICDs), drawing release, and configuration control, and fielding support.
• Contribute to the development of optomechanical measurement and alignment systems utilizing scientific camera technology.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams consisting of engineers, designers, technicians, scientists, and coordinators, while working under limited direction within established frameworks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Additional Job Responsibilities, At The SES.3 Level

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• Function independently with minimal direction, exercising advanced technical judgment to establish objectives, prioritize parallel efforts, allocate resources, and develop innovative methods and technologies that ensure successful project execution and alignment with organizational goals.
• Conduct technical tasks with hands-on laboratory R&D efforts to sustain and advance system capabilities, while guiding project coordination and completion for repairs, upgrades, and performance improvements in collaboration with engineers, scientists, designers, and technicians.
• Collaborates in the development and implantation of new analytical solutions to complex engineering problems utilizing advanced modeling, statistical analysis, system-level error budgeting, and creative application of established techniques.
• Collaborate in formal and informal design reviews and multidisciplinary team efforts, applying technical concepts to resolve complex technical and programmatic issues and meet performance, schedule, and integration objectives.
  
  

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Precision Engineering, or related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience in precision optomechanical system design and integration, including structural design of stability-critical assemblies, alignment methodologies, real-time feedback or compensation systems, and/or controls integration.
• Broad experience and proficiency in moderately complex to complex engineering analysis using structural and thermal modeling tools, with the ability to evaluate system-level performance and environmental sensitivities.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience in material selection, fabrication methods, and precision metrology for optomechanical hardware and inspection systems.
• Experience supporting hardware integration, system testing, troubleshooting, and performance validation in operational environments.
• Broad knowledge and application of moderately complex engineering hardware design, fabrication, configuration control, and testing processes within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information.
  
  

Additional Qualifications At The SES.3 Level

• Significant experience with the design, commissioning, operation, or maintenance of complex precision mechanical, optomechanical measurement or alignment systems.
• Advanced level knowledge and significant experience with the application of complex mechanical design, data analysis techniques, advanced statistics, and/or modeling.
• Experience mentoring others, leading small teams in a technical environment, coordinating efforts with other groups, and ensuring compatibility with interdependent systems.
• Significant experience defining scope from often not well defined and/or rapidly changing requirements, including demonstrated ability and flexibility in reprioritizing and changing programmatic direction depending on emergent needs.

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• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information and provide advice to management.
  
  

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Precision Engineering, or a related field.
• Extensive experience designing, integrating, and sustaining Advanced Optical Inspection systems, such as imaging-based damage inspection, scatterometry, or target alignment platforms in large-scale laser or optical facilities.
• Experience with precision optical metrology, imaging system characterization, alignment instrumentation, metrology frames, integrated sensor systems, and controls integration in support of inspection and diagnostic platforms.
  
  

Pay Range

$146,340 - $222,564 Annually

$146,340 - $185,544 Annually for the SES.2 level

$175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 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

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)

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• 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 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.

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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.

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