Special Equipment and Tooling Engineer

We have an opening for a Special Equipment and Tooling Engineer supporting target fabrication for the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate home to the worlds most energetic laser.  It is an exciting time to join the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022 and multiple times since a historic moment in science that opened new physics regimes and set the stage for fusion energy possibilities.

You will be a core member of an interdisciplinary team supporting the fabrication of complex target articles for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) and other national security programs at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Targets are essential components for high-energy laser experiments and consist of intricate assemblies of finely manufactured parts with precision tolerances ranging from 25 nm to several micrometers. Fabrication assembly and testing of these targets require highly-specialized equipment and tooling to support precision alignment metrology x-ray radiography high-pressure gas handling cryogenic and vacuum environments. You will collaborate closely with process engineering production and maintenance teams to support equipment updates and new system development applying project management and systems engineering methods to manage the process from initial concept through production and qualification. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division 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.

In this role you will

• Function independently with minimal direction taking significant responsibility and using advanced knowledge and judgment to establish objectives prioritize parallel tasks allocate resources and collaborate in the development of innovative methods and technology to guide the completion of projects and contribute to organizational goals.
• Collaborate in the design development prototyping integration testing and commissioning of special equipment and tooling.
• Apply systems engineering principles to conduct technical tasks for requirements interfaces verification and ensure traceability through implementation and test.
• Perform engineering analyses and provide solutions to formal design reviews to support performance safety reliability maintainability and mission requirements.
• Maintain engineering documentation procedures and configuration-controlled records and plan and execute commissioning acceptance and verification test activities to confirm readiness and requirements compliance.
• Support Integrated Safety Management by identifying hazards developing engineering controls and ensuring work is performed safely and in compliance with applicable requirements.
• Support equipment improvements integration of vendor-produced equipment control software development and serve as the primary technical contact  for production equipment and tooling while briefing management and stakeholders on progress risks and resource needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.4 level

• Operate under consultative direction with substantial authority using in-depth analysis and subject matter expertise in highly advanced concepts to resolve a diverse range of highly complex problems independently determine strategies modify approaches and pursue actions that impact organizational operations or directions and achieve long-term goals.
• Direct technical tasks for the SE&T portfolio coordinating execution across multiple concurrent efforts and aligning resources to milestones and program objectives.
• May lead planning issue resolution and schedule integration for assigned work to ensure effective execution.
• Develop innovative strategic planning for future equipment and tooling needs including capability gaps and long-range priorities.

Qualifications :

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering or a relevant technical field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced knowledge and significant experience working independently and under minimal direction to perform complex mechanical design and analysis including the ability to analyze complex problems that may not be well defined.
• Advanced experience developing and implementing solutions to complex technical problems including applying technical best practices theories concepts and techniques.
• Advanced experience managing overseeing and delivering multiple simultaneous projects on budget and schedule including demonstrated ability and flexibility in reprioritizing and changing programmatic direction depending on emergent requests.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information and provide advice to management.
• Advanced experience interacting and coordinating activities and objectives with all levels of technical staff managers stakeholders and vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage small and multidisciplinary teams.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

• Expert level experience in the application and development in tooling engineering highly complex mechanical design and analysis and applying technical industry best practices in an innovative and creative fashion.
• Subject matter expert in developing and implementing solutions to highly complex technical problems including applying technical best practices theories concepts and techniques.
• Significant expertise and demonstrated ability in leading highly technical teams to successfully execute loosely defined projects.
• Significant experience with advanced level work planning and execution for tooling engineering including tool design support fabrication sequencing build coordination validation activities and field implementation.
• Expert communication facilitation and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present explain influence and advise senior management and/or external sponsors.

Qualifications We Desire

• Masters or PhD in an engineering discipline or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Certification in Project Management such as PMP or Systems Engineering certification.
• Expertise in systems engineering precision design or advanced manufacturing techniques.
• Knowledge of ANSI/ASME standards for testing machine tools or coordinate measuring machines.

Pay Range:

$175530 - $267060 Annually

$175530 - $222564 Annually for SES.3 level

$210630 - $267060 Annually for SES.4 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)
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  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