Quality Engineer/Weapon Production Quality

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.

We have multiple openings for Weapons Production Group (WPG) Quality Engineers. You will support new and on-going activities in support of the weapon system surveillance and production operations. These positions are in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED)/Weapon Technologies and Engineering (WTE) Program, supporting the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Principal 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.

You will

• Support and assist Product Realization Team (PRT) members on Product Realization Process (PRP) activities ensuring work on weapon, weapon related, and surveillance product is performed under general direction per DTED/WTE procedures, NNSA Weapon Quality Policy NAP 401.1A and the requirements of Defense Programs Business Process Systems (DPBPS).
• Interact with the NNSA, Design Agency, and Production Agency staff at all levels - Designers, Engineers, Quality Engineers, and Management
• Participate as a core member on multiple PRTs to provide quality related expertise on design intent, quality assurance functions, production, surveillance, configuration management and writing clear concise requirements.
• Support PRTs by reviewing and critiquing Engineering Authorizations (EAs) per applicable standards to ensure appropriate EAs are generated, released, and maintained to support the PRT/PRP activities per NNSA requirements and Design Agency (DA) quality standards. Escalate issues to senior quality engineering staff as needed.
• Support PRTs by assisting in the review and critique of product definition drawings (CAD), related engineering support documents, material specifications and process specification requirements to ensure appropriate documentation is generated, released, and maintained to support the PRT/PRP activities per NNSA requirements and DA quality standards.
• Participate in PRT/PRP design reviews to ensure quality concepts are inherent to the design and manufacture of nuclear weapon components and ancillary equipment.
• Support delivery of training and technical guidance on DTED/WTE processes, NAP 401.1A and DPBPS requirements for engineering, scientific, and technical staff at Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) Design and Production Agency locations.
• Support Senior Quality Engineers during formal EE’s by traveling to Production Agencies and other manufacturing sites to observe and verify the implementation of requirements, repeatable fabrication, inspection, assembly, and surveillance processes.
• Ensure that the EE results and data are appropriately documented and recorded so that production and surveillance activities can be authorized.
• Maintain clear and concise communication path between Design and Production Agencies in support of programmatic mission.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level

• Lead training and technical guidance for DTED/WTE processes, NAP 401.1A and DPBPS requirements for engineering, scientific, and technical staff at Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) Design and Production Agency locations.
• Provide advanced support to engineers/scientists in solving complex technical problems to various projects within the WTE Program.
• Provide comprehensive technical support and independently lead personnel in assigning tasks and prioritizing work and interpret and define technical criteria into specific operational requirements.
• Advise engineering technical staff and provide advanced mechanical/electronic support and hands-on operations through the design and assembly of complex components and systems based upon specifications from engineers, physicists, or facility personnel.
• Review PRT nonconformances, document an appropriate path to proceed with manufacturing and track corrective actions to closure.

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in quality, mechanical, or electrical engineering or related field; Associate degree in Engineering Technology with significant related experience; or equivalent combination of education and extensive related experience needed to successfully perform in the position.
• Fundamental knowledge in engineering design, fabrication, assembly techniques and materials, material properties, manufacturing methods, theory, manufacturing, and inspection processes.
• Fundamental knowledge of QA/QC documentation approaches and skillsets.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and experience participating in engineering testing operations, analyzing results, writing reports, and creating presentations, and conducting and participating in design reviews.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement, under general direction, and ability to coordinate across technical teams, clearly articulate, enforce, and interpret design intent and requirements of component and supporting drawings and other required documentation.
• Fundamental knowledge of engineering drafting policies and standards including ASME Y14.5M Dimensioning and Tolerancing concepts.
• Ability to travel to meet programmatic milestones.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Experience with advanced fabrication and assembly techniques directly applicable to material, components, systems, and equipment.
• Experience developing and realizing conceptual designs of mechanical/electronic systems, testing prototypes and associated diagnostics, and experience with CAD/computer design packages.
• Experience with project planning, budgeting, and resource planning while exercising independent judgment, discretion in leading, directing, and guiding staff to fulfill programmatic deliverables.

Qualifications We Desire

• Fundamental knowledge of Weapon or Weapon Related design, materials, fabrication, assembly, product realization process, production drawings or engineering authorizations.
• Advanced knowledge of NNSA Weapon Quality Policy (NAP-401.1A), Defense Programs Business Process System (DPBPS) or Engineering Authorizations.
• Knowledge of materials, equipment, or technologies associated with production of mechanical hardware, electronics, additive manufacturing, or advanced materials.
• Knowledge and experience in nuclear weapons program stockpile systems, components, classified materials, experimental data, and related diagnostic and testing equipment.
• Knowledge of Windchill, CREO, and Altium.

Pay Range

$121,830 - $185,544 Annually

$121,830 - $154,500 Annually for the SES.1 level

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

This is the lowest to highest salary in good faith 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.

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 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.

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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.

Reasonable Accommodation

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