Intelligence Analyst: Z Program

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 Scientific and Technical Intelligence Analysts to join an interdisciplinary team investigating topics critical to the national security interests of the United States. We seek creative, rigorous analysts with a demonstrated ability to evaluate complex technical information related to one or more scientific or engineering disciplines, and synthesize findings into clear, concise, and actionable insights.

Our teams perform high-impact analysis on advanced, emerging, and critical technologies and produce finished assessments for senior U.S. Government decision makers. In this role, you will apply strong research, analytic, writing, and communication skills to support sponsor priorities, engage with a wide variety of U.S. Government stakeholders, and contribute to project and organizational objectives. You will be expected to translate technical understanding into analytic judgments relevant to foreign capabilities, technology trajectories, and national security implications. You will leverage your expertise and experience in one or more of the following areas to deliver impactful analysis for national security partners: advanced computing, advanced aerospace, missile and space systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning, autonomous systems and robotics, biotechnology, materials science, microelectronics, and quantum sciences.

These positions are in the Science and Technology Assessments (STA) Program within the Global Security Directorate’s Z Program and may be filled at the SES.2 or SES.3 level, depending on qualifications, experience, and demonstrated skills. Responsibilities will be assigned commensurate with the selected level.

These positions require full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

In this role, you will

• Contribute to independent research, under limited direction, on sensitive and politically significant national security topics, with a focus on advanced, emerging, and critical technologies.
• Identify and define problems, propose analytic methodologies, collect data, write reports documenting results, and present analytic findings in support of sponsor and stakeholder objectives that adhere to intelligence community analytic standards.
• Research, prioritize, and validate information related to assigned national security issues; maintain awareness of relevant technical, geopolitical, and policy developments.
• Contribute to the development of a focused research agenda in assigned topic areas that addresses key science, technology, and policy questions.
• Provide technical and analytic contributions to organizational objectives by presenting substantive analysis to sponsors, customers, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external subject matter experts, sponsors, and partners.
• Travel as needed to engage with sponsors, stakeholders, and partner organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.3 level

• Assist in identifying analytic priorities, defining problems, and proposing complex analytic research methodologies with minimal direction.
• Conduct technical development of new program opportunities, including the definition and development of research proposals and interaction with potential sponsors and customers under minimal direction.
• May lead multidisciplinary teams assigned to complex analytic tasks on relevant national security issues to inform the development of strategies and plans, and to meet programmatic objectives.
• Represent the organization as a primary technical point of contact for intelligence related tasks and moderate-sized projects, balancing competing priorities effectively.

• This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top-Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire.  Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
• Bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, or a relevant scientific or engineering discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Comprehensive experience working within or with the Intelligence Community (IC), or equivalent combination of education and experience conducting analysis on national security issues related to scientific and technical intelligence or advanced, emerging, and critical technologies.
• Comprehensive experience in researching, assessing, and integrating science and technology information, including in collaboration with technical subject matter experts, in support of national security analysis.
• Broad experience conducting research and producing analytical assessments on relevant national security issues under limited supervision, including in-depth studies, that effectively convey findings, implications, and judgements.
• Proven ability to manage multiple assignments, adapt to changing priorities, and deliver high-quality work on deadlines.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment; author intelligence analyses; and present technical information clearly to sponsors, customers, and stakeholders.
• Ability to travel as necessary to present analyses to sponsors and IC stakeholders as well as to meet with IC counterparts and sponsors.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Master’s degree in political science, international relations, or a relevant scientific or engineering discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of, and significant experience working within or with, the Intelligence Community on scientific and technological issues.
• Significant experience researching, assessing, and integrating science and technology information in support of national security analysis.
• Significant experience producing high-quality analytical assessments including both detailed written products and concise products tailored for senior audiences.
• Significant experience and proven ability to work effectively under deadlines, coordinate workloads on multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines, with conflicting priorities.

Qualifications We Desire

• Active Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
• Ph.D. in political science, international relations, or a relevant scientific or engineering discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience, with demonstrated ability to perform independent work at an advanced level.
• Extensive publication record in a relevant technical national security issue area, with demonstrated impact.
• Combination of academic and/or professional experience in both complex technical subjects and national security and policy analysis.
• Significant experience and proven track record of successfully managing and leading multidisciplinary project teams.
• Advanced verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively collaborate with internal and external teams, and to advise senior Laboratory management and external partners, sponsors, and stakeholders.
• Experience evaluating technical information from international sources, and/or foreign language skills relevant to scientific and technical literature.

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.

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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 an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire.  Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.  Please note that your current active Q or Top Secret clearance with DOE or another agency does not guarantee DOE SCI access approval; if you are denied access, you may be subject to reinvestigation of your existing Q or Top Secret Clearance. 

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

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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. 

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