Special Equipment and Tooling Engineer

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 an opening for a Special Equipment and Tooling Engineer supporting target fabrication for 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, and multiple times since, a historic moment in science that opened new physics regimes and set the stage for fusion energy possibilities.

You will be a core member of an interdisciplinary team supporting the fabrication of complex target articles for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) and other national security programs at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Targets are essential components for high-energy laser experiments and consist of intricate assemblies of finely manufactured parts with precision tolerances ranging from 25 nm to several micrometers. Fabrication, assembly, and testing of these targets require highly-specialized equipment and tooling to support precision alignment, metrology, x-ray radiography, high-pressure gas handling, cryogenic, and vacuum environments. You will collaborate closely with process engineering, production, and maintenance teams to support equipment updates and new system development, applying project management and systems engineering methods to manage the process from initial concept through production and qualification. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering and 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

• Function independently with minimal direction, taking significant responsibility and using advanced knowledge and judgment to establish objectives, prioritize parallel tasks, allocate resources, and collaborate in the development of innovative methods and technology to guide the completion of projects and contribute to organizational goals.
• Collaborate in the design, development, prototyping, integration, testing, and commissioning of special equipment and tooling.
• Apply systems engineering principles to conduct technical tasks for requirements, interfaces, verification, and ensure traceability through implementation and test.
• Perform engineering analyses and provide solutions to formal design reviews to support performance, safety, reliability, maintainability, and mission requirements.
• Maintain engineering documentation, procedures, and configuration-controlled records, and plan and execute commissioning, acceptance, and verification test activities to confirm readiness and requirements compliance.
• Support Integrated Safety Management by identifying hazards, developing engineering controls, and ensuring work is performed safely and in compliance with applicable requirements.
• Support equipment improvements, integration of vendor-produced equipment, control software development, and serve as the primary technical contact for production equipment and tooling while briefing management and stakeholders on progress, risks, and resource needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level

• Operate under consultative direction with substantial authority, using in-depth analysis and subject matter expertise in highly advanced concepts, to resolve a diverse range of highly complex problems, independently determine strategies, modify approaches, and pursue actions that impact organizational operations or directions and achieve long-term goals.
• Direct technical tasks for the SE&T portfolio, coordinating execution across multiple concurrent efforts and aligning resources to milestones and program objectives.
• May lead planning, issue resolution, and schedule integration for assigned work to ensure effective execution.
• Develop innovative strategic planning for future equipment and tooling needs, including capability gaps and long-range priorities.

• 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 a relevant technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced knowledge and significant experience working independently and under minimal direction to perform complex mechanical design and analysis, including the ability to analyze complex problems that may not be well defined.
• Advanced experience developing and implementing solutions to complex technical problems, including applying technical best practices, theories, concepts, and techniques.
• Advanced experience managing, overseeing, and delivering multiple simultaneous projects on budget and schedule, including demonstrated ability and flexibility in reprioritizing and changing programmatic direction depending on emergent requests.
• 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.
• Advanced experience interacting and coordinating activities and objectives with all levels of technical staff, managers, stakeholders, and vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage small and multidisciplinary teams.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

• Expert level experience in the application and development in tooling engineering, highly complex mechanical design and analysis and applying technical industry best practices in an innovative and creative fashion.
• Subject matter expert in developing and implementing solutions to highly complex technical problems, including applying technical best practices, theories, concepts, and techniques.
• Significant expertise and demonstrated ability in leading highly technical teams to successfully execute loosely defined projects.
• Significant experience with advanced level work planning and execution for tooling engineering, including tool design support, fabrication sequencing, build coordination, validation activities, and field implementation.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, influence, and advise senior management and/or external sponsors.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s or PhD in an engineering discipline or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Certification in Project Management, such as PMP or Systems Engineering certification.
• Expertise in systems engineering, precision design, or advanced manufacturing techniques.
• Knowledge of ANSI/ASME standards for testing machine tools or coordinate measuring machines.

Pay Range:

$175,530 - $267,060 Annually

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

$210,630 - $267,060 Annually for 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.

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.

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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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