Optical Engineer

Llnl; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) seeks experienced Optical Engineers to design, model, and analyze high energy laser systems, diagnostics, and beam transport. You will work within the Optical Design and Engineering group in the LSEO Division on projects across NIF/PS and LMf directorates. This full-time, on-site role requires a U.S.

DOE Q-level security clearance eligibility. The position involves independent judgment, collaboration across disciplines, and advanced optical analysis

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• Proficiency with CODE V or Zemax; experience with FRED and OSLO.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, and data processing for simulations.

Responsibilities

• Design and model complex optical systems using CODE V and FRED to inform design decisions.
• Perform tolerancing, error budgeting, and performance analyses for optical systems.
• Conduct non-sequential, stray light, and ghost analyses and develop mitigation strategies.
• Document specifications including performance, fabrication, inspection, and acceptance criteria.
• Present technical results to multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Communication skills

Independent judgment

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

CODE V

Zemax

FRED

OSLO

MATLAB

Python

Job description

We have multiple openings for experienced Optical Engineers. You will support optical systems design, modeling, analysis, and engineering for complex high energy laser systems, diagnostics, beam transport, and high-fidelity optical systems. This role requires balancing parallel tasks with broadly defined priorities while collaborating across scientists, engineers, technicians, and designers. This position is in the Optical Design and Engineering group within the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, part of LLNL's Engineering Directorate supporting projects across the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS) / Light Matter and Fusion (LMF) 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 and qualifications (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role, you will

• Work under limited direction with moderate responsibility, use comprehensive knowledge, and exercise independent judgment to determine methods and recommend improvements within established frameworks and contribute to the fulfillment of project and organizational goals.
• Design and model moderately complex to complex optical systems such as high energy lasers, diagnostics, relay imaging systems, and beam transport systems in CODE V and FRED to inform design decisions and tradeoffs.
• Design, analyze, and document optical component and system specifications, including performance, fabrication, inspection, and acceptance criteria.
• Perform non-sequential, stray light, and ghost analysis and develop mitigation strategies for optical systems and subsystems.
• Perform tolerancing, error budgeting, and performance analyses for optical systems and subsystems.
• Define and derive assigned moderately complex to complex optical requirements from established physics and system-level performance requirements.
• Diagnose moderately complex to complex optical issues, develop practical solutions, and present technical results to multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, technicians, and designers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Function independently with minimal direction, taking significant responsibility and using advanced knowledge and judgment to establish objectives, prioritize parallel tasks, allocate resources, and collaborate in the development of innovative methods/technology to guide the completion of projects and contribute to the development of organizational goals.
• Lead conceptual and preliminary designs for complex optical systems and perform advanced physical optics simulations, optical tolerancing, and system parameter studies using FRED/Code V scripting and modeling.
• Provide technical leadership for optical design and engineering efforts, including fabrication and test strategy development, design reviews, and pursuit of solutions in situations that may not be well defined.

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and broad experience with CODE V or equivalent optical design software (Zemax, FRED, OSLO).
• Comprehensive knowledge of geometrical optics, lens design, imaging systems, and optical tolerancing principles.
• Ability to interpret moderately complex to complex optical, mechanical, and interface specifications.
• Experience interfacing with customer or sponsor requirements and translating them into optical specifications and engineering plans while working under limited direction.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, and/or similar tools for data processing, automation, and simulation.
• Experience analyzing optical fabrication, alignment, inspection, and production considerations for precision optical systems.
• Proficient technical and non-technical communication skills, including the ability to present and explain technical information to multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong collaboration, initiative, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage parallel priorities under limited direction.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Advanced optical system design skills and demonstrated experience leading design efforts for complex optical systems.
• Significant experience applying advanced physical optics knowledge under limited direction.
• Experience with advanced FRED/Code V scripting and modeling, including Macro-PLUS or similar automation tools.
• Advanced stray light simulation experience and the ability to develop innovative optical solutions with minimal oversight.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master's or equivalent combination of education and experience in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• Experience in optical desi