Mechanical 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 multiple openings for a Mechanical Engineer to join our Precision Systems & Manufacturing Group. You will apply mechanical engineering principles to contribute to and/or lead projects ranging from novel research initiatives to supporting stockpile stewardship programs. These efforts will include the design and implementation of hardware and mechatronics solutions to program-critical problems, development and execution of instrumentation and testing platforms used to validate technology advances, assessment and iteration of designs based on testing data, and beyond. You will become familiar with the ongoing priorities of the programs being supported and assist in developing proposals for future contributions to the success of program objectives. Projects may involve requirements that are beyond commercially available capabilities and solutions may require modifications to commercial tools or development of advanced tools, sensors, and fabrication methods. When available technology is inadequate to meet current or future program needs, forward thinking will be essential for envisioning directions for technology development. This position is in the Material Engineering Division (MED), 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 depending on your qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.

In this role, you will 

• Design and implement novel mechanical hardware solutions and/or quantified enhancements for existing hardware by utilizing engineering calculations, creating rigorous design documentation, performing analyses, developing procedures, creating supporting tooling and fixturing, and overseeing fabrication and implementation.
• Develop and execute testing and validation plans involving the integration of sensors and actuators, utilization of data acquisition equipment, and evaluation of test data.
• Work under limited direction and collaboratively as part of a team to develop, implement, and qualify hardware solutions of moderate complexity in support of various research and programmatic applications.
• Present technical approaches, project plans, and documentation to peers and program managers.
• Work with project leadership to develop clear design goals and constraints to solve moderately complex to complex design challenges.
• Generate and interpret mechanical specifications and mechanical models/drawings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level 

• Provide technical leadership and project management to a diverse team of engineers, scientists, designers, and technicians.
• Function independently with minimal direction, using advanced knowledge and judgment to establish objectives, prioritize parallel tasks, and allocate resources across complex design, testing, and validation tasks for mechanical and/or electromechanical systems.
• Develop and implement new analytical solutions to a diverse range of complex mechanical and hardware problems that require modeling, statistical analysis, and creative application of established techniques and methods.
• Collaborate in the development of innovative mechanical methods/technologies to guide the completion of projects and contribute to the development of organizational goals.

• 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 related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience in the design, analysis, and fabrication of mechanical components and assemblies.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience in hardware integration and testing, including sensors, actuators, control systems, and data acquisition systems, with the ability to apply these to both new and existing processes/equipment. 
• Proficiency in interpreting mechanical specifications and drawings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team with effective organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information.
• Proficient interpersonal skills with an emphasis on developing relationships and building long-term collaborations with internal and/or external partners.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Significant experience leading and managing project scopes and schedules as well as developing research proposals.
• Significant experience developing/designing complex methods and apparatus for the testing and validation of mechanical and/or electromechanical systems under minimal direction.
• Advanced knowledge in the design, fabrication, integration, and test of complex mechanical systems, sensors, actuators, and data acquisition systems.
• Significant experience interpreting specifications and mechanical drawings.
• 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.

Qualifications We Desire 

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience retrofitting, modifying, or aligning machine tools.
• Experience creating mechanical component and/or machine tool metrology plans and assisting with or leading the execution of the plan.
• Experience in precision alignment of mechanical systems or machine tools.
• Experience with PLC programming and debugging.
• Experience with industrial automation hardware.

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. 

#LI-Onsite

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

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