Mechanical Engineer

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Livermore (CA); Hybrid; USD 155,000 - 236,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA is seeking a Mechanical Engineer within the PMO to design and support mechanical infrastructure, HVAC systems, and building automation for new construction, remodeling, and TI projects.

The PMO provides engineering, design, estimating, construction, and project management services to enable cutting-edge research with a focus on safety, collaboration, and delivery within a hybrid work schedule after a probationary period.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent with 10+ years of design experience.
• Ability to secure and maintain U.S. DOE Q-level clearance and U.S. citizenship.
• Experience in HVAC systems design, piping, and lab tenant improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design tasks for infrastructure projects.
• Perform load calculations, energy management analyses, and life-cycle cost.
• Prepare construction documents using AutoCAD and Revit.
• Review submittals, respond to RFIs, evaluate change orders, and assist during construction.
• Coordinate with designers, drafters, and stakeholders across projects.
• Develop approaches to solve moderately complex mechanical issues.

Skills

DOE Q clearance eligibility

Leadership experience

Strong communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Building energy modeling tools

DDC control systems software

Job description

Mid-Senior Level | Full-time
Business Operations | Livermore, CA | 08/06/2026
Reference #: REF8674N
Job Code: TSS.3 Technical Services & Ops MTS 3 / TSS.4 Technical Services & Ops MTS 4
Organization: Project Management Office
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: Not applicable Apply Now

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 a Mechanical Engineer. You will provide engineering design solutions for the Laboratory’s mechanical infrastructure, building HVAC systems, building automation and DDC control systems, energy management, laboratory design, and central plant-type equipment in support of projects associated with new construction, remodeling, and modifications to conventional office and laboratory facilities. This position is in the Project Management Office (PMO).

The Project Management Office (PMO) provides LLNL with engineering, design, estimating, construction, and project management services. PMO provides infrastructure services to enable cutting-edge research and development in the areas of defense technologies, global security, laser science, bioscience, and more. PMO offers cradle to grave infrastructure services to achieve reliable delivery of completed projects with priority on safety, collaboration, and a workforce working toward our shared vision.

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or moredays 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 eitherlevel 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

• Perform independent technical tasks associated with the engineering, planning, design, and construction of projects associated with LLNL’s mechanical infrastructure.
• Perform computer-based analyses of heating and cooling load calculations, energy management, and life-cycle cost.
• Prepare mechanical construction documents, including scoping criteria, construction drawings, specifications, procurement specifications, duct and pipe sizing, HVAC load calculations, and AutoCAD drawings.
• Provide engineering support during construction by reviewing submittals and shop drawings, responding to contractor questions, evaluating change-order requests, resolving field issues, observing construction activities, and performing inspections. Provide engineering analysis and solutions to a diverse range of moderately complex site building mechanical systems issues and/or problems.
• Develop approaches to solve moderately complex technical issues associated with specific projects using independent judgment and analysis.
• Represent the organization in providing engineering solutions to a diverse range of moderate to complex facility mechanical technical issues and/or problems associated with specific projects.
• Provide engineering support during construction by reviewing submittals and shop drawings, responding to contractor questions, evaluating change order requests, resolving field problems, and performing inspections.
• Lead assigned internal mechanical projects and serve as the mechanical lead for in-house design projects, with responsibility for technical criteria, budgets, schedules, deliverables, coordination of designers and drafters, and preparation of AutoCAD and Revit models and drawings. Act as the mechanical lead for in-house design projects, and independently provide mechanical designs for said projects, utilizing Revit and AutoCAD.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the TSS.4 level

• Design complex building and laboratory mechanical systems for new construction and the renovation and remodeling of existing facilities, including the design of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
• Prepare designs and engineering studies for conventional mechanical equipment and components in complex building environments supporting highly advanced research activities. Projects include: Design for the installation of air handling equipment, fume hoods, boilers, chillers, DDC control systems, pumps and filter systems, as well as complex mechanical systems in specialized research facilities such as clean rooms, high performance computing facilities, bio-safety labs, semiconductor and electronics fabrication labs, non-reactor nuclear facilities, and laser research facilities.
• Prepare construction documents for designs, including construction drawings, construction specifications, and procurement specifications for the pre-purchase of LLNL furnished equipment. Use independent judgement to ensure construction documents that have been prepared by both internal staff and external A/E firms are in conformance with applicable Building Codes and LLNL Standards.
• Prepare procurement documents for the subcontracting of outside consultant Architectural/Engineering (A/E) services to supplement internal engineering capability; manage/direct the outside A/E contracts, including preparing project scopes, technical criteria, engineering design estimates and schedules.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and at least ten years of mechanical engineering design experience in an architectural/engineering consulting firm.
• Professional registration as a Mechanical Engineer in the state of California or reciprocity from another state or ability to obtain a California license within 24 months.
• Experience and knowledge of the professional practice of facility mechanical engineering and construction in areas such as HVAC systems design, piping system analysis and pump selection, building automation and control systems, with a focus on the mechanical design for laboratory tenant improvement (TI) work.
• Experience in working on projects with multiple stakeholders and complex requirements. The ability to organize and effectively coordinate multiple and sometimes conflicting, concurrent requests and tasks, with accurate follow-through.
• Experience in plumbing design, and the design of industrial gas systems, and process piping systems for tenant improvement type work.
• Experience in the preparation of scoping documents for fire protection systems, and in preparing simple fire protection designs for small tenant improvement projects.
• Experience with mechanical engineering design software for building modeling such as heat load and psychometric analysis, HVAC system modeling, energy management, and/or pipe flow analysis, experience with Microsoft Office software, and Revit and AutoCAD for the preparation of working drawings.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information.

Additional Qualifications at the TSS.4 Level

• Significant experience and advanced knowledge of the professional practice of commercial, industrial, and laboratory facility mechanical engineering and construction in areas such as HVAC systems design, piping system analysis and pump selection, building automation and control systems, and LEED/sustainable design.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable state and national construction codes and standards, including California Mechanical & Plumbing Codes, NFPA 1, NFPA 13, and other Fire Codes and Standards, AWWA Standards, and ASHRAE Standards such as 62.1 and 90.1.
• Significant experience in design management, including project planning, scheduling, professional services estimates, and adherence to completion dates.
• Membership in professional organizations such as ASHRAE, ASME, etc.
• USGBC LEED AP certification and knowledge of applicable DOE Orders, Federal Standards.

Pay Range

$154,950 - $235,692 Annually

$154,950 - $196,476(TSS.3) Annually

$$185,850 - $235,692 (TSS.4) Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary range in good faith 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.

Additional Information

#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 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.

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