Weapon System Project Engineer - Active Security 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 Weapon System Project Engineer to lead the Stockpile Sustainment efforts for the W80-4 weapon system. The selected individual will lead a workforce to steward this weapon system by managing project scope and resources to accomplish technical and programmatic requirements, interacting with all levels of management within, and external to, the Laboratory to establish a wide range of projects, develop budgets, and manage execution. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), supporting Stockpile Systems within the Weapon Technologies and Engineering Program (WTE)

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week. 

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.

You will

• Foster and uphold the weapon program’s mission, vision, and values through leadership of programmatic activities.
• Build a team and lead the W80-4 Stockpile Systems team personnel to execute required scope, while providing a stimulating and challenging environment which encourages continual learning, improved system knowledge, improved processes, and personal growth.
• Provide Design Agency support to Production Agencies in their execution of surveillance, and investigation scope for the W80-4 Stockpile System.
• Develop and manage technical work scope necessary to maintain confidence in performance and safety of the W80-4 stockpiled weapon system, informed by all legacy knowledge, to support all Annual Assessment activities and deliverables. Manage all aspects of the group’s projects including appropriate work assignments, definition of scope, cost estimates, funding allocations, and schedules.
• Support documentation, refinement, and execution of standard processes for weapon system stewardship, along with other weapon system teams and Project Engineers, in order to provide uniformity and continual improvement in execution of stewardship mission.
• Build and maintain robust communications, collaborations, and contacts, internal and external to LLNL. Represent Weapon Technologies & Engineering (WTE) and Strategic Deterrence (SD) programs at meetings, briefings, and committee activities both internal and external to the Laboratory. Ensure project requirements, status, risks, and issues are communicated in an effective and timely manner to senior leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SEL.5 level 

• Serve as subject matter expert (SME) in Stockpile Systems and the W80-4 at meetings, briefings, design reviews, and committee activities both internal and external to the Laboratory. Serve as an organization spokesperson and senior technical expert for Laboratory management and/or as an external advisor for customers and sponsors, including serving on scientific or technical committees and positively representing the program and the Laboratory.
• Using creativity and innovation, champion and lead the application and development of principles, theories, and concepts related to stockpile sustainment.
• Lead and influence high-level goal setting and strategic plans to achieve objectives and provide strategic technical advice to management and external customers.
• Mentor staff across the organization, including other mentors.

• 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 Engineering or related field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Strong experience with engineering analysis, hardware design, fabrication, testing processes, formal design reviews, and technical presentations.
• Advanced knowledge of nuclear weapon systems, their applications, their design, and support of their production at the Plants within the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE).
• Excellent organizational skills, knowledge and experience with project management tools and techniques, including work planning, scheduling, cost estimating, analyzing and managing financial data, and project reporting.
• Ability to promote and maintain productive relationships across directorates, with other laboratories, and with personnel from external entities, using expert communication and collaboration skills, necessary to present, explain, and advise senior management and/or external sponsors.
• Experience interacting with NNSA federal staff for scope execution, reporting, risk communication, and budget planning.
• Effective leadership, interpersonal skills, and systems engineering skills necessary to assign, lead, and manage personnel supporting the program.
• Significant experience leading a team project and/or group, including the ability to gain the cooperation of others.
• Ability to travel.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.5 level 

• Subject matter expert knowledge of Surveillance and Product Realization processes of design, qualification, and certification of nuclear weapon systems.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, influence, and advise senior management and external sponsors.
• Expert-level ability to develop and apply technical industry best practices and business principles to engineering projects, and to use independent judgment and initiative to work towards objectives in a self-directed manner, as well as lead in a team environment providing deliverables on cost and schedule.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering.

Pay Range

$227,430 - $346,140 Annually

$227,430 - $288,396 Annually for the SEL.4 Level

$272,970 - $346,140 Annually for the SEL.5 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-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 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. 

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.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

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.