Senior Project Engineer Technical Leader

We are seeking Senior Project Engineer Technical Leaders to lead multidisciplinary teams in the development of advanced highpower and highenergy laser electromechanical and optomechanical systems for scientific and defense applications. These roles involve overseeing cuttingedge research engineering and development projects that require innovative design extreme precision and advanced manufacturing techniques. You will collaborate with engineers scientists sponsors and stakeholders to ensure successful project execution from initial planning and proposal preparation through completion. Occasional travel to national and international meetings will be required.  These positions offer the opportunity to drive innovation in laser and optomechanical technologies influence strategic technical decisions and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in photon sciences and laserbased applications. These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations Division of the Engineering Directorate and support the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate.

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.

In this role you will

• Lead teams programs or functions with a technical focus operate under consultative direction with substantial authority use subject matter expertise and significant team leadership experience and exercise judgement with established policies to monitor workflow allocate resources ensure timely completion of projects independently determine strategies and achieve objectives while managing organizational impact and pursuing actions to achieve long term goals.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams of engineers scientists and technical staff in projects to develop and advance laser technologies for scientific and defense applications by developing and implementing system requirements based on mission objectives guiding design and risk mitigation efforts and documenting technical goals and operational concepts.
• Collaborate with sponsors and industry partners to address technical needs and provide subject matter expertise and develop and manage business project plans for program execution including budgeting and resource allocation.
• Plan and oversee highly complex and multidiscipline research and development activities while ensuring adherence to safety security and quality standards.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with sponsors stakeholders and national / international scientific organizations.
• Provide leadership in staff training development and input on performance reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SEL.5 level

• Lead teams programs or functions with a technical focus operate under broad consultative direction with significant autonomy use expert knowledge and extensive team leadership experience and exercise judgement within established policies to monitor workflow allocate resources ensure timely completion of projects and influence and direct high level strategic plans to achieve objectives while managing organizational and operational impact and attaining long range goals.
• Oversee project costs and budgets ensuring financial accountability.
• Champion projects and secure funding for innovative technologies and develop strategies to position the organization for new opportunities as applicable in photon sciences optomechanical and laserbased technologies.
• Influence strategic technical decisions and serve as a spokesperson for the organization with sponsors and senior management.

Qualifications :

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Qlevel security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Masters degree in Laser Science Engineering Physics Chemistry or a related technical field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Subject matter expert level knowledge and experience in laser physics laser engineering optomechanical systems or systems engineering with a proven record of scientific creativity and leadership and experience as applicable with highpower and highenergy laser systems including pulsed and continuous wave (CW) systems.
• Demonstrated ability to manage highly complex multimillion dollar projects oversee multiple phases of the project lifecycle and meet rigorous engineering requirements.
• Expert communication collaboration and problemsolving skills to lead diverse and multidiscipline teams of at least 10 people and interact effectively with sponsors and stakeholders.
• Significant leadership experience including team leadership performance assessments and goalsetting.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities stakeholder expectations and deadlines in a fastpaced environment.
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally for programmatic and scientific meetings.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.5 level

• Extensive experience leading innovative research and guiding strategic technical direction for complex projects.
• Expert knowledge of stateoftheart technologies in scientific research environments and longterm strategic planning.
• Expert communication facilitation and collaboration skills to effectively advise and influence senior management and/or external sponsors.

Qualifications We Desire

• Ph.D. in Laser Science Engineering Physics Chemistry or a related field.
• Certification in Project Management such as PMP or Systems Engineering certification.
• Familiarity with DOE/NNSA programs and oversight of federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs).
• Expert knowledge in high power / high energy laser system development and implementation.

Additional Information :

#LIOnsite

Position Information

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

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values visit  Clearance

  This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Qlevel clearance.  If you are selected we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Qlevel clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

  PreEmployment Drug Test

  External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a postoffer preemployment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Fulltime