Metallurgist Materials Engineer – Joining and Thermal Processing

We have an opening for a Metallurgist/Materials Engineer to develop qualify and implement metallic joining and thermal processing methods for critical national security this hands-on role you will contribute to process development and metallurgical characterization while 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-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 and heat treatment for steels nickel-base alloys radioactive alloys and other structural alloys.
• Provide metallurgical engineering support for processing materials selection and properties 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 scanning electron microscopy (SEM) hardness testing and mechanical testing such as tensile and bend testing to assess quality and performance.
• Organize analyze and present data from experiments and process-development activities to improve understanding of processing-structure-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 such as process models thermal or stress analyses and microstructure-evolution tools to inform process-window development and production workflows.
• Travel up to approximately 20% to external production facilities such as Y-12 Los Alamos National Laboratory and 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. Department of Energy (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.
• Relevant experience gained through academic research laboratory coursework senior design projects internships or professional employment.
• Experience or training in conducting experiments involving metals processing joining or metallurgical characterization including data collection analysis and documentation.
• Foundational understanding of the relationships between processing parameters microstructure and mechanical properties along with the ability to assess joint and material quality using microstructural observations and basic mechanical-test data.
• Experience or training in the microstructural characterization of metallic materials and/or joints including sample preparation and optical microscopy. Familiarity with SEM or other advanced methods is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary teams communicate status and results and incorporate feedback.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for preparing presenting and explaining technical information.
• 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

• Working knowledge and relevant experience focused on metallic joining or thermal processing or in closely related roles.
• Experience developing optimizing or qualifying joining and processing methods such as high-energy-density welding vacuum brazing diffusion bonding or hot isostatic pressing (HIP) in a laboratory or production setting.
• Experience working in quality-controlled or regulated environments such as DOE aerospace or nuclear environments including the use of procedures travelers or work instructions.
• 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.
• Experience demonstrating increasing technical leadership such as leading small project efforts coordinating cross-functional activities or serving as a technical point of contact.

Qualifications We Desire

• Degree in welding engineering or focused coursework research or practical experience in welding metallurgy and joining.
• Masters degree in metallurgical engineering materials science and engineering welding engineering or a closely related field.
• Experience operating or developing one or more joining or thermal-processing methods such as electron-beam or laser welding vacuum brazing diffusion bonding HIP and complex heat treatments for structural alloys.
• Experience applying advanced characterization techniques such as SEM electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray-based methods to evaluate joint microstructures and defects.
• Understanding of the basic principles of high-performance joining equipment including system maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of advanced mechanical-testing methods such as fracture or fatigue testing and experience joining 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; 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.

  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