Design Physicist - Active Security Clearance Required

LLNL; Livermore (CA); Hybrid; USD 146,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) seeks an exceptional Design Physicist with an active DOE Q clearance or Top Secret clearance. The role spans plasma, nuclear, and computational physics to advance national security through modeling, experiments, and stockpile stewardship.

Responsibilities include analyzing nuclear explosion physics, developing experiments, and presenting results in both open and classified environments. Hybrid work may be available after a probationary period.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics, engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with computational, theoretical, and experimental physics relevant to weapons assessment.
• Proven ability to lead independent research and publish results.

Responsibilities

• Assess complex physics interactions in nuclear explosions.
• Design and analyze experiments on nuclear explosives physics.
• Simulate weapon phenomena using physical models in computer codes.
• Define and implement stockpile stewardship for weapons systems.
• Present results at conferences and in peer‑reviewed publications.

Skills

Plasma physics

Radiation transport

Atomic physics

Nuclear physics

Physical chemistry

Condensed matter physics

Computational physics

Hydrodynamics

Education

PhD in physics/engineering or related field

Tools

Advanced computational facilities

Job description

Design Physicist - Active Security Clearance Required

• Full-time
• Organization: Strategic Deterrence
• Category: Physical Life Sciences
• Job Code 2: SES.3 Science & Engineering MTS 3
• Employee Referral Bonus: Not applicable
• Job Code 1: SES.2 Science & Engineering MTS 2
• Pre-Employment Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
• Pre-Placement Medical Exam: A job-related pre-placement medical examination may be required
• Security Clearance: Active DOE Q clearance (or active Top Secret clearance)

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 are seeking an exceptional Physical ScientistandEngineer with a background in fields such as plasma physics,radiation transport, atomic physics, nuclear physics, physical chemistry, condensed matter physics, computational physics, or hydrodynamics. Our national-security mission encompasses aspects of computational, theoretical, and experimental physics associated with the complex processes of nuclear explosives. Under limited direction, you will be responsible for advancing our understanding and developing methodologies for important national-security challenges. This position is in the Design Physics Division within the Strategic Deterrence Directorate.

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

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

• Assess the complex physics interactions that take place in nuclear explosion.
• Design and provide analysis of experiments exploring the physics of nuclear explosives.
• Simulate weapons phenomena and perform weapons assessment and certification tasks using physical models in computer codes.
• Define and implement stockpile stewardship for specific weapons systems.
• Present and disseminate research results at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed publications, in both open and classified environments, internal and external to LLNL. Responsibilities may also include interacting with external stakeholders, both at DOE/NNSA and across the broader interagency, as well as via offsite assignments.
• Develop expertise in interrelated fields of physics important to weapons assessment and certification.
• Travel minimally or substantially based on needs of projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.3 Level

• Independently develop, assess and provide in depth analysis of the complex physics interactions that take place in nuclear explosion where problems may not be well defined.
• Work as technical expert on multidisciplinary team.
• Guide the analysis and lead the design of experiments exploring the physics of nuclear explosives.
• 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.
• PhD in physics, engineering, or a related field or equivalent level of demonstrated knowledge.
• Record of completing outstanding research in relevant areas of physics and engineering.
• Experience with computer-based design and analysis of experiments.
• Aptitude for mastering new fields of physics; a record of creativity, physical insight, and breadth of understanding in applications of complex physical processes.
• Experience in using advanced computational facilities for applied physics analysis and conducting applied physics research.
• Proficient verbal and written communication and presentation skills necessary to author technical and scientific reports, publications, invited papers, and to deliver scientific presentations.
• Experience working effectively independently and in a multidisciplinary, team-research environment.
• Self-motivation and initiative in addressing challenging problems.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 Level

• Advanced knowledge of physics, engineering, or a related field.
• Significant experience and ability to lead independent work conducting applied physics research.
• Record of leading top quality research in relevant areas of physics and engineering

Please include a personalized cover letter with your application, highlighting your qualifications and why you're interested in this position.

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-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

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 useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate 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.

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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