Engineering Technical Associate

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) seeks an Engineering Technical Associate to support the W87-1 Modification Program. The role concentrates on independent problem-solving in electro-mechanical systems across sites, with occasional team leadership and a focus on experimental campaigns within the Nuclear Weapons Enterprise.

Candidates must have a Bachelor's in engineering technology or electro-optics, and be eligible for a U.S. DOE Q clearance.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required for DOE Q clearance.
• Experience designing and building electro-mechanical test systems.
• Experience leading fabrication and assembly of complex systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with project planning and providing technical direction.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and work with protective equipment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with scientists and engineers on experimental needs and test systems.
• Design, fabricate, assemble, upgrade, and retrofit electro-mechanical components and systems.
• Provide advanced technical support and plan experiments for weapons-related programs.
• Develop test procedures, troubleshoot, document, and present results.
• Offer technical guidance to other staff and lead teams when needed.

Skills

Independent decision making

Electrical/mechanical design

Team leadership

Strong communication

Project planning

Physical lifting ability

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering technology / electro-optics technology

Tools

PTC Creo

Enterprise Management tools

Job description

Reference #: REF9013L
Job Code: 337.1 Engineering Technical Assoc / 339.2 Senior Eng Associate
Organization: Engineering
Position Type: Career Indefinite
Security Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)
Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
Medical Exam: A job-related pre-placement medical examination may be 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.

Job Description

We have an opening for an Engineering Technical Associate to support the W87-1 Modification Program within Strategic Deterrence (SD). The selected candidate will contribute to new and ongoing experiments at LLNL’s Livermore Site, the National Ignition Facility (NIF), Site 300, and other locations within the Nuclear Weapons Enterprise (NWE) complex. Primary work activities are conducted in the B391 Materials and Radiation Effects (MRE) Lab, as well as B341 Survivability Lab, both located at LLNL’s main site. The selected candidate will work independently, occasionally leading technical teams, to solve and implement original solutions ranging from complex to highly complex technical problems associated with electronic/mechanical systems. The selected candidate will make frequent decisions using a high degree of independent discretion and judgment in design concepts and system improvements. The selected candidate may have technical lead authority and responsibilities. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) within the Engineering Directorate, supporting operations within the Strategic Deterrence (SD) organization.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at eitherlevel based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is selected at the higher level.

In this role, the candidate will

• Collaborate with scientists and engineers on experimental needs and fielded test systems and instrumentation.
• Design, fabricate, assemble, disassemble, upgrade, and retrofit moderately complex to advanced electro-mechanical components and systems, using work control process and procedure requirements while working independently.
• Provide advanced level technical support to engineering, scientific, and technical staff while planning and conducting experiments in support of the Weapons Technology and Engineering programs’ mission at Livermore Site 300 and other NWE sites
• Apply high level knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes in solving mechanical problems while using established guidelines, techniques, and procedures.
• Develop test, troubleshooting, maintenance, and operational procedures. Provide documentation input in support of small to large-scale experiments.
• Collect, prepare, communicate, and present data and test results, identify problems and suggest solutions.
• May provide technical advice and direction to other technical staff.

Additional job responsibilities, at the 339.2 level

• Provide highly advanced technical support to scientific, engineering, and technical personnel through specialized technical knowledge relating to design, fabrication, assembly, and testing of parts/materials/equipment.
• Make high impact decisions using a high degree of independent discretion and judgment to balance WTE program needs and hardware testing dates. Resolving issues by developing creative solutions.
• Provide input to WTE regarding functional cost and budget forecasts.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology and/or electro-optics technology, or equivalent combination of education and significant related experience.
• Experience making independent, fundamental decisions regarding a variety of complex technical problems in completion of work assignments.
• Significant experience providing advanced electro-mechanical design, fabrication, assembly, and system set-up in support of experiments and experimental campaigns.
• Significant experience in mechanical fabrication, assembly and engineering principles.
• Experience leading teams or other technical staff in the fabrication and assembly of complex systems.
• Advanced written and verbal communication and presentation skills, and ability to work constructively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Experience with project and workforce effort planning, training, and providing technical direction to others.
• Ability to complete and maintain certifications as required by the position.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. in a safe and controlled manner.
• Ability to become medically qualified to wear respiratory and other protective equipment and perform moderate work effort while wearing respirators.
• Ability to periodically travel to Nuclear Security Enterprise sites in support of program mission.

Additional qualifications at the 339.2 level

• Ability to work independently with minimal direction while providing frequent decision-making using a high degree of independent discretion and judgment to define approach and create and implement original solutions.
• Extensive experience and highly advanced skills, knowledge and abilities in electro-mechanical system-level builds with high precision and critical timelines.
• Highly advanced written, verbal, feedback and presentation communication skills in and ability to present regular formalized reporting and presentations to management and outside collaborators.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience working with classified materials and experimental equipment.
• Experience with advanced engineering design and fabrication methods.
• Experience in fulfilling Work Control process and procedure requirements.
• Experience working with PTC CREO & Enterprise Management tools.

Pay Range

$125,310 - $185,640 Annually
$125,310 - $153,444 Annually for the 337.1 level
$151,620 - $185,640 Annually for the 339.2 level

This is the lowest to highest salary in good faith 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.

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

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 a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet 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 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.

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.

CaliforniaPrivacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitlesjob 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 .

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory 92K subscribers

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory 92K subscribers