Lead Design Engineer - Active Clearance Required

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 Lead Design Engineer (LDE) for the LLNL Advanced Sources and Detectors (ASD) Scorpius team. ASD Scorpius is a Major Item of Equipment (MIE) being designed and procured on behalf of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) by the major NNSA laboratories and sites. It is a flash x-ray radiographic capability that will provide essential information in support of stockpile stewardship. The LDE reports programmatically to the ASD Project Office at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The LDE is a senior level mechanical engineer who is the primary point of contact at each site for design scope and design decisions at that site. Any proposed design changes to subsystems owned by that site are adjudicated by the LDE.  The LDE is responsible for interfacing with the project office and partner labs/sites on design decisions.  You will provide and/or oversee mechanical engineering functions including design, analysis, fabrication and testing during deployment for new systems and upgrades to existing hardware.  Your work will also involve project management, interacting with all stakeholders to ensure successful project completion and providing leadership and mentoring to junior engineers. This position is in the National Security Engineering Division (NSED) 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 

• Derive complex engineering requirements, develop designs, and perform supporting analyses of mechanical systems, test prototypes, and associated diagnostics for pulsed power and mechanical systems.
• Interface with the local team, project office, and partner labs/sites to ensure the completion of the various ASD design tasks.
• Oversee the detailed design process, component part fabrication, and unit assembly.
• Prepare supporting safety and engineering documentation and participate in engineering design reviews.
• Participate in engineering testing operations, analyze results, and write reports.
• Generate detailed plans, schedules, and budgets for project activities and lead the execution of the plans.
• Work independently as well as a part of a multidisciplinary team including providing mentoring to junior engineers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level

• Provide engineering solutions to resolve highly complex technical and programmatic issues in a multi-disciplinary environment involving advanced electromechanical systems.
• Select methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to obtain results based on in-depth analysis of multiple factors.
• Develop and implement novel technical solutions that influence subsystem design decisions.

• 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 the time of hire.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced knowledge and significant experience in two or more of the following: engineering hardware design, systems engineering, manufacturing techniques, testing processes, and FEA structural and thermal analysis.
• Significant experience working effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Significant experience using standard project management practices and proven ability to meet schedule and deliverables for multiple concurrent projects with a range of priorities.
• Significant experience leading project teams, exhibiting a proficiency in interpersonal interactions and the ability to solve problems as they arise.
• Advanced-verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

• Expertise in identifying, defining, and solving complex multi-disciplinary problems with significant electric system requirements in a timely, cost effective manner.
• Subject matter expertise as a project engineer with demonstrated ability to lead major technical efforts.
• Subject matter expertise of engineering hardware design, fabrication, or testing processes.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Professional Engineer Certification.
• Experience with pulsed power systems.

Pay Range

$175,530 - $267,060 Annually

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

$210.630 - $267,060 Annually for the 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.  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 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.

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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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