Processing & Joining Metallurgist Materials Engineer

We have an opening for a Processing and Joining Metallurgist/Materials Engineer to develop qualify and implement metallic joining and thermal processing methods for critical national security this hands-on role you will lead process development and metallurgical characterization partnering with design modeling materials and production organizations across LLNL and external production agencies. You will work within an interdisciplinary team to establish process structure and property relationships in structural alloys with opportunities to grow into a technical leader in joining and thermal processing. This position is in the Materials Engineering Division (MED) within the Engineering 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 (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will 

• Develop execute and optimize metallic joining and thermal processing methods in a laboratory environment including electron beam and laser welding vacuum brazing diffusion bonding HIP and heat treatment for steels nickel-base alloys and other structural alloys.
• Provide metallurgical engineering support for processing materials selection and property investigations.
• Participate in the design setup and operation of processing and joining systems including fixture design parameter development and troubleshooting.
• Perform metallurgical characterization and joint evaluation using sample preparation optical microscopy (SEM as appropriate) hardness testing and mechanical testing (for example tensile or bend tests) to assess quality and performance.
• Organize analyze and present data from experiments and process development activities to improve understanding of process structure and property relationships.
• Collaborate with scientists engineers technologists designers and production partners as part of integrated teams spanning design analysis prototyping and production implementation.
• Integrate experimental results with analytical or computational models (for example process models thermal or stress analyses or microstructure evolution tools) to inform process window development and production workflows.
• Travel up to approximately 20% to external production facilities (for example Y-12 Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Kansas City National Security Campus) to observe and support operations review procedures and provide feedback to LLNL program management and design teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.2 level 

• Take technical ownership of specific joining and thermal processing operations including requirements definition specification input process qualification and continuous improvement.
• Provide technical guidance and informal mentoring to less experienced staff technicians and students in joining and processing development sample preparation and metallurgical characterization.
• Lead or co-lead defined technical tasks or small projects coordinating across team members and tracking progress against scope schedule and quality requirements.

Qualifications :

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelors degree in Metallurgical Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Welding Engineering Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience planning and executing experiments in metallic joining or thermal processing (for example welding brazing diffusion bonding HIP or heat treatment) including data collection analysis and documentation.
• Strong understanding of the relationships among processing parameters microstructure and mechanical properties and the ability to assess joint and material quality using microstructural observations and basic mechanical test data.
• Experience or training in microstructural characterization of metallic materials and/or joints including sample preparation and optical microscopy with familiarity with SEM or other advanced methods as a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary teams communicate status and results and incorporate feedback.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to prepare present and explain technical information.
• Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices and the ability to adapt to evolving priorities.
• Ability to travel to external production facilities to support program operations.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level 

• Comprehensive knowledge and experience focused on metallic joining or thermal processing or closely related roles.
• Experience developing optimizing or qualifying joining and processing methods (for example high energy density welding vacuum brazing diffusion bonding or HIP) in a laboratory or production setting.
• Experience working in quality-controlled or regulated environments (for example DOE aerospace or nuclear) including the use of procedures travelers or work instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and execute joining and processing experiments and metallurgical characterization interpret results and recommend process or heat treatment improvements.
• Experience using interpreting or collaborating with analytical or computational models to guide process development and qualification decisions.
• Demonstrated increasing technical leadership (for example leading small project efforts coordinating cross-functional activities or serving as a technical point of contact).

Qualifications We Desire

• Masters degree in Metallurgical Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Welding Engineering or a closely related field.
• Direct experience operating or developing joining and processing methods for critical components including electron beam or laser welding vacuum brazing diffusion bonding HIP and complex heat treatments of structural alloys.
• Experience applying advanced characterization techniques (for example SEM EBSD or X-ray based methods) to evaluate joint microstructures and defects.
• Knowledge of advanced mechanical testing methods (for example fracture or fatigue) and experience with joining of specialty or hazardous materials in controlled environments including associated thermal processing.
• Familiarity with process modeling tools digital workflows or data management approaches that support systematic process development and qualification.

Pay Range

$121830 - $185544 Annually

$121830 - $154500 Annually for the SES.1 level

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

  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 use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes but not limited to cell phones tablets fitness devices wireless headphones and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

  If you use a medical device which pairs with a mobile device you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate 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.

  How to identify fake job advertisements

  Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under Find Your Job of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent we strongly recommend you do not respond.

  To learn more about recruitment scams:  Employment Opportunity

  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.

  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. 

  California Privacy Notice

  The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants employees and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.

  
  

  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time