Nuclear Systems Reliability Engineer

We have multiple openings for Nuclear Systems Reliability Engineers to apply advanced technical knowledge in support of ongoing projects in the Superblock a DOE Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility. You will often be involved in supporting significant R&D projects utilizing your knowledge and experience to assist in creating innovative solutions. You will additionally apply mechanical engineering skills and judgement to maintain moderate to complex mechanical systems and programmatic equipment. These positions are in Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) within the Engineering Directorate.

These positions 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.

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

You will 

• Collaborate with team members to support and contribute to the analysis and testing of programmatic and nuclear facility equipment including equipment vibration assessment thermography equipment operational data trending deriving post-maintenance testing plans writing testing procedures and performing safety calculations.
• Provide engineering support for electrical power distribution controls instrumentation and facility support systems including system troubleshooting condition monitoring and post-maintenance testing.
• Support facility infrastructure systems (e.g. electrical distribution HVAC controls alarms and utility systems) to ensure reliability maintainability and alignment with nuclear safety and mission requirements.
• Apply reliability engineering principles across mechanical electrical and control systems including development of maintenance strategies system health assessments and performance metrics
• Work in conjunction with team members to provide engineering technical support for the troubleshooting repair modification and operation of facility systems utilities and programmatic equipment.
• Contribute to and participate in the development of a predictive reliability program to ensure operational readiness and minimize downtime for critical systems including power distribution control systems scientific tools & diagnostics containment ventilation cryogenic liquids compressed gases gloveboxes and fire suppression.
• Assist in the development and implementation of a comprehensive preventative maintenance plan that encompasses all facility and programmatic equipment within the Superblock.
• Participate in the implementation of a reliability-centered maintenance approach to maintenance activities to determine the optimal maintenance activity for each system and contribute to recommendations on system health and improvement through predictive maintenance.
• Prepare detailed condition assessment reports for engineering and facility management on overall system health and develop performance metrics for moderately complex condition-based and/or predictive maintenance.
• Perform Reliability Availability Maintainability and Inspectability (RAMI) analysis which is an engineering framework to assess and improve the overall performance and effectiveness of complex systems throughout their design and operational phases.
• Communicate and interface frequently with assigned engineers to ensure compliance with programmatic requirements.
• Select methods techniques and evaluation criteria to obtain results based on analysis of multiple largely identifiable factors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.3 level 

• Lead and/or provide technical guidance and direction in the development of project reliability plans for significant R&D projects while also applying advanced level engineering knowledge significant technical experience and innovation to create mechanical solutions and resolve complex problems while ensuring safety and compliance with DOE orders and specifications.
• Lead or provide technical direction for reliability and maintenance strategies across facility infrastructure systems including electrical power distribution controls and integrated mechanical/electrical assets.
• Utilize Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) a strategic approach to maintenance that identifies and analyzes potential equipment failures to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective maintenance strategy for each specific asset.
• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive predictive maintenance plan that encompasses all equipment within the Superblock and also includes a comprehensive master equipment list of facility and programmatic assets across multiple sites.
• Lead the development and implementation of key performance metrics in equipment operability maintainability and reliability.
• Lead corrective actions in response to off-normal events within the scope of equipment maintenance and repair.
• Evaluate and exert influence on the development methods resource needs priorities progress and completion of project and organizational goals providing recommendations and advice to project leadership as necessary.

Qualifications :

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelors degree in mechanical electrical systems or related engineering discipline or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Demonstrated engineering aptitude as evidenced by past engineering experimental operational or moderately complex troubleshooting or modification projects.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience developing or reviewing engineering calculations specifications drawings or analyses and contributing to design modification or upgrade decisions for engineered systems.
• Experience and familiarity with scientific or experimental systems including high-vacuum systems high-temperature systems X-ray generating devices laser systems calorimeters mechanical testers fabrication equipment etc. and a fundamental understanding of how these instruments function.
• Proficient ability to identify develop and effectively communicate recommendations to facility program and senior management regarding equipment maintenance including proven ability to successfully implement recommendations.
• Experience working in a highly configuration managed environment.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level 

• Independent thinking and demonstrated ability to understand advanced level technical documentation needed for solving complex problems.
• Significant experience and advanced knowledge in the design operation analysis or maintenance of complex engineered systems which may include facility infrastructure systems (e.g. ventilation fire protection cryogenics utilities) or complex programmatic or experimental systems.
• Advanced leadership skills and significant experience directing supervising and providing guidance and mentoring to small teams performing work in a highly regulated technical environment.
• Significant experience successfully managing overseeing and delivering multiple projects on budget and on schedule.
• Demonstrated ability and flexibility in reprioritizing and changing programmatic direction depending on emergent requests.
• Advanced verbal and written communication facilitation and negotiation  skills necessary to effectively interact and collaborate in a team environment present and explain technical or operational information and mediate compromise and provide advice to management reviewers and stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

• Active security clearance.
• Experience performing maintenance on scientific instruments including high-vacuum systems high-temperature systems X-ray generating devices laser systems calorimeters mechanical testers fabrication equipment etc. and a fundamental understanding of how these instruments function.
• Substantial experience and expertise in facility engineering and nuclear industry code compliance.
• Qualification as a Cognizant System Engineer in a nuclear facility.
• Familiarity with Nuclear Materials Control & Accountability principles Radioactive & Hazardous Waste Management practices and Nuclear Facility Quality Assurance and procurement practices.
• Experience supporting electrical or facility infrastructure systems in an industrial research or nuclear environment.

Pay Range

$146340 - $222564 Annually

$146340 - $185544 Annually for the SES.2 level

$175530 - $222564 Annually for the SES.3 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 employees 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 2026 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) Q-level 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.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time