Senior Optomechanical Engineer

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Livermore (CA); Hybrid; USD 175,530 - 267,030; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Impactful projects in national security

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is seeking a Senior Optomechanical Engineer to develop next-generation large-aperture space telescopes and precision optical systems. This role involves collaboration with engineers and scientists to create innovative solutions for U.S. national security and scientific missions.

The position offers a hybrid work schedule, allowing flexibility to work from home multiple days a week. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and significant experience in optomechanical system design.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance.
• Significant experience in precision mechanical and optomechanical system design.
• Advanced knowledge of precision engineering methods including tolerance analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze complex precision optomechanical assemblies for space-based optical systems.
• Develop analytical and numerical models to evaluate performance.
• Support integration and testing activities including alignment planning.

Skills

Optomechanical engineering principles

Mechanical design tools (Creo, SolidWorks)

Precision engineering methods

Collaboration in multidisciplinary environments

Verbal and written communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics

Tools

ANSYS

NASTRAN

Abaqus

Job description

Mid-Senior Level | Full-time
Engineering | Livermore, CA | 06/25/2026
Reference #: REF8508H
Job Code: SES.3 Science & Engineering MTS 3 / SES.4 Science & Engineering MTS 4
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: 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 Senior Optomechanical Engineer for space applications. You will contribute to the development of next-generation large-aperture space telescopes, optical payloads, and precision optical systems supporting U.S. national security and scientific missions. This role focuses on optomechanical design, precision mechanisms, structural and thermal performance, and integration of optical systems into spacecraft environments. You will collaborate with engineers, scientists, physicists, and external partners to develop innovative optical systems for challenging operational environments. This position is in the Optomechanical Systems Engineering Group within the National Security Engineering Division (NSED), Engineering Directorate.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

This position will be filled at either level based on the candidate's knowledge, skills, 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

• Design and analyze complex precision optomechanical assemblies, structures, mounts, and mechanisms for space-based optical systems.
• Perform optomechanical design of telescope and payload subsystems including mirrors, lenses, mounts, alignment features, and supporting structures.
• Develop analytical and numerical models to evaluate structural, thermal, dynamic, and stability performance.
• Apply precision engineering methodologies including tolerance analysis, error budgeting, thermal stability assessment, kinematic design, and metrology planning.
• Evaluate system performance through integrated optical and mechanical analyses and collaborate with optical engineers to assess design sensitivities.
• Support integration and testing activities including alignment planning, test fixture development, verification planning, and performance assessment.
• Serve as a technical point of contact and communicate technical results through reports, presentations, design reviews, and sponsor interactions.
• Contribute to proposal development, technical planning, and risk reduction activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level

• Lead the development of optomechanical architectures and technical solutions for highly complex optical and spaceflight systems.
• Direct environmental verification and qualification activities including vibration, thermal-vacuum, and performance testing of precision optical hardware.
• Establish technical approaches, influence project direction, and provide technical leadership during design reviews and sponsor engagements.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of optomechanical engineering principles, concepts, and practices.
• Significant experience in precision mechanical and optomechanical system design.
• Advanced knowledge and experience using mechanical design tools such as Creo, SolidWorks, or equivalent software.
• Advanced knowledge and experience using structural and thermal analysis tools such as ANSYS, NASTRAN, Abaqus, or equivalent software.
• Advanced knowledge of precision engineering methods including tolerance analysis, error budgeting, thermal stability analysis, and metrology planning.
• Experience collaborating effectively in multidisciplinary engineering environments.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present technical information and provide advice to management.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

• Subject matter expert knowledge of optomechanical design for highly complex optical or spaceflight systems.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead development efforts involving advanced precision optical and mechanical technologies.
• Experience providing technical leadership, influencing project direction, and advising management, sponsors, and review boards.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience with optical integration and test activities, optical metrology, environmental testing, and space hardware development.
• Familiarity with active optics, adaptive optics, precision actuation systems, or wavefront control technologies.

Pay Range

$175,530 - $267,030 Annually

$175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 level

$210,630 - $267,030 Annually for the SES.4 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. 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

Position Information

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

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.

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.

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.