Senior Engineering Design Associate

We have multiple openings for Senior Engineering Design Associates. You will work independently by collaborating with scientists engineers and top-level technical personnel to provide highly advanced technical and management expertise in mechanical or electrical engineering to support the NIF & PS groups. You will conduct research to find solutions to engineering problems along with providing leadership in developing designing documenting and analyzing highly complex mechanical or electrical systems for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) program. You will plan and lead multiple projects of significant complexity. You will author review and approve reports manuals and other engineering documentation as well as routinely presenting this material to superiors and subordinates. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division within the Engineering Directorate.

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

In this role you will

• Provide highly advanced technical support in originating developing analyzing and documenting highly complex mechanical or electrical engineering design solutions.
• Translate high-level requirements into detailed 3D models and assemblies using Creo Parametric or SolidWorks; ensure model-based definition solutions are complete accurate and compliant with LLNL standards.
• Develop and/or approve technical support documentation for design solutions including engineering analyses FEA results schedules cost estimates safety notes procedures and design safety documents.
• Capture and maintain design and configuration data in Windchill/ELM while applying advanced knowledge of CAD/PLM configuration management practices.
• Lead teams of technical personnel assign tasks define technical approaches oversee work execution; may have supervisory authority and responsibility for training requirements.
• Provide highly advanced technical support and application of industry best practices on highly complex problems and tasks.
• Participate in and often lead formal design reviews present design concepts trade studies risks and recommendations to management customers and review committees.
• Plan organize budget and lead multiple projects of significant scope and complexity.
• Mentor and provide specific on-the-job training to designers engineers and junior engineering associates including advanced technical skills engineering best practices and LLNL processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications :

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelors degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering/Technology or related field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Extensive experience with Creo Parametric or AutoCAD and Windchill in a production engineering environment including advanced modeling assemblies and model-based definition.
• Highly advanced knowledge of CAD/PLM practices techniques standards and procedures including configuration management and product lifecycle processes.
• Extensive experience in making independent technical decisions for broad segments or sections of major projects including safety performance and cost impacts.
• Extensive experience in coordinating both individual activities across multiple components and stakeholders requiring attention to detail accuracy and independent follow-through.
• Advanced leadership skills including leading technical teams or groups providing technical direction and day-to-day oversight mentoring and providing specific on-the-job training coordinating workforce needs scheduling and work assignments.
• Extensive experience in analyzing and interpreting highly complex design requirements and to use creativity independent discretion and judgment to develop original engineering design solutions.
• Highly advanced written verbal feedback presentation. and communication skills with the ability to present highly complex technical material to management and outside collaborators.
• Highly advanced experience in engineering hand calculations and CAD supported FEA or similar engineering analysis tools to support design decisions.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience including developing staff resourcing plans and team structure recommendations providing performance review input and making promotional recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience planning organizing budgeting and leading multiple projects of significant scope with a record of meeting technical schedule and cost objectives.

Pay Range

$151620 - $185640 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe 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. 

  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.

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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time