Test and Instrumentation Engineer - Academic Graduate Appointee

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 Test and Instrumentation Engineer Academic Graduate Appointee. You will work under the guidance of staff members to conduct experiments and activities in experimental system integration, controls and instrumentation, and process development for advanced manufacturing and research applications that support LLNL programs. This position is within the Materials Engineering Division (MED) of the Engineering Directorate.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

You will

• Work under the general guidance of staff engineers to support experimental system buildout, instrumentation, and integration for multicomponent process-control systems and research-scale laboratory systems.
• Configure and troubleshoot hardware, including sensors, data-acquisition systems, and communication interfaces, to support experimental operations.
• Monitor and control process parameters, such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, and other system variables, to support research objectives.
• Create technical documentation, including system schematics, wiring diagrams, and operating procedures.
• Conduct validation testing and analyze experimental data to support design improvements and system optimization.
• Implement hardware modifications to improve system performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and technicians to accomplish research goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
• Experience in test engineering, instrumentation, or controls, demonstrated through coursework, training, and/or work experience.
• Experience with industrial control systems and data-acquisition platforms.
• Familiarity with communication protocols and networked instrumentation.
• Verbal and written communication skills sufficient to collaborate effectively in a team environment, document analyses, and prepare, present, and explain technical information.
• Strong initiative, interpersonal skills, and creativity, as well as the ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• Experience with CAD and engineering design tools.
• Experience with validation testing and data-driven design improvements.

Pay Range

$7,510 - $9,282 Monthly

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

Position Information

This is a one-year Academic Graduate Appointee, open to those who have been awarded a degree at the time of the employment offer.

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.

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.

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.