Communications Specialist, Strategic Deterrence

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 Communications Specialist to support the Laboratory’s Strategic Deterrence Directorate (SD), where multidisciplinary teams address complex problems of national importance. You will work with scientists, engineers, and administrative and management staff to communicate complex science and technology information to technical and nontechnical audiences.

This position is in the Technical Information Department (TID) and will be matrixed to the Strategic Deterrence Directorate.

A hybrid schedule may be available, offering the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the number of days required in the office and virtual work options, may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

The selected candidate will be hired 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

• Develop original content and provide writing, editing, and communications support for reports, stakeholder briefings, web content, news items, multimedia assets, and other print and digital products.
• Interpret complex technical information and translate it into clear, accurate, relevant, and compelling communication products for targeted technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Plan and execute assigned communications projects, including schedules, reviews, production steps, and coordination with subject matter experts and editorial, design, web, photography, and print staff.
• Coordinate the work of production contributors for assigned projects and help ensure commitments for cost, schedule, and quality are met.
• Edit, format, and prepare technical and nontechnical content in accordance with applicable style guides, editorial standards, and communication requirements.
• Support print and web publishing processes from content development through review, production, distribution, and web publication.
• Perform basic HTML editing and update web content using text editors and content management systems such as Dreamweaver, Drupal, Liferay, WordPress, or similar tools.
• Contribute to communications planning, website content development, process improvements, and evaluation of new tools and technologies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

In addition, at the G04.3 level,

• Lead complex, high-visibility, multi-platform communications projects involving multiple customers, technical disciplines, and production contributors.
• Independently define communications approaches, audiences, messages, deliverables, schedules, workflows, and quality requirements for assigned projects.
• Make major commitments for cost, schedule, quality, and technical approach; establish priorities and resolve complex issues affecting project delivery.
• Lead planning and status meetings with customers, subject matter experts, management, and production staff.
• Serve as a communications project lead by coordinating contributors and providing technical guidance to less-experienced writers, editors, and production staff.
• Develop communications strategies and content plans for significant scientific, technical, and programmatic initiatives, including complex new or substantially revised websites.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, engineering, a scientific field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant technical-communications experience.
• Experience planning, developing, organizing, writing, and editing content across multiple communication platforms.
• Experience translating complex scientific or technical information into clear, accurate, and compelling content for technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Experience coordinating communications projects and collaborating effectively with subject matter experts, writers, editors, designers, and web or production staff.
• Knowledge of editorial standards, technical language, usage, style conventions, and document-production processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organization, interpersonal, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to work independently on assigned projects, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including PowerPoint, and experience with content management systems and web tools such as WordPress and Drupal.

In addition, at the G04.3 level,

• Significant experience independently leading complex communications projects involving multiple deliverables, stakeholders, disciplines, and production contributors.
• Advanced experience establishing and managing project commitments for cost, schedule, quality, and technical approach.
• Advanced writing and editing experience across multiple scientific or technical subject areas, including content for executive, external, or other high-level audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to develop communications strategies, identify audiences and messages, and create integrated communications plans for significant initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead project planning discussions, provide technical guidance to others, and resolve complex communications or production issues with minimal direction.
• Advanced knowledge of editorial standards, technical publishing practices, digital-content development, and complex website content architecture.

Qualifications We Desire

• Advanced degree in English, communications, journalism, engineering, or a scientific field.
• Familiarity with user-experience principles, user research, and user testing.
• Experience with social media, photography, and journalistic writing.
• Current U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance.

Pay Range

$95,820 - $140,712 Annually

$95,820 - $117,312 Annually at the G04.2 level

$114,900 - $140,712 Annually at the G04.3 level

This is the lowest to highest salary range in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. 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.

#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 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.