Control Systems Engineer

LLNL•Livermore, CA

1d•$146,340 - $222,564•Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is hiring Control Systems Engineers at either the SES.2 or SES.3 level for the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations Division within the Engineering Directorate. The role provides engineering solutions to develop, implement, and maintain control systems for the National Ignition Facility (NIF), a high-energy pulsed laser system with more than 60,000 control points. The engineer contributes to new control system designs and upgrades that improve system performance and reliability. Full-time on-site presence is required. At the SES.2 level, the engineer works under limited direction with moderate responsibility, applying comprehensive knowledge and independent judgment to solve moderately complex control system problems and recommend improvements. Duties include designing, documenting, deploying, and maintaining control system hardware and software; collaborating with scientists, engineers, technicians, designers, and operations teams; contributing to requirements and design reviews; following configuration management processes; developing and executing commissioning tests with system managers or software testers; and troubleshooting and maintaining systems in support of facility operations. Participation in a reactive maintenance on-call rotation may be required. At the SES.3 level, the engineer works independently with minimal direction and greater responsibility, applying advanced technical knowledge to solve complex control system problems, diagnose root causes, and maintain reliability and performance. Responsibilities include conducting Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, guiding improvements to control system architecture, mentoring junior staff, overseeing production and commissioning activities, and potentially leading project teams developing and deploying control solutions.

Requirements

Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy Q-level security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for this clearance.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, an engineering discipline related to control systems, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Comprehensive knowledge and broad experience developing hardware or software solutions for control systems in industrial or research environments, with a focus on supporting project execution and stakeholder needs.
Comprehensive knowledge and broad experience in one or more of the following: hardware or software development for data acquisition and control systems; analog and digital instrumentation design and selection; custom circuit design; PLC application, use, and programming; signal conditioning or processing software; automation sequences and state machines; SCADA and HMI design, development, and management; or standalone test and research control applications using graphical programming languages such as LabView.
Comprehensive understanding and broad experience applying documentation standards, including drawings, procedures, statements of work, and test plans.
Broad experience using electronic measurement and diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes and TDRs for testing and troubleshooting.
Broad experience supporting control systems through the engineering lifecycle, including design, assembly, integration, testing, and maintenance.
Proficient verbal and written communication skills for conveying technical information and collaborating with project team members, control systems leadership, and other stakeholders.
Experience as a member of a multidisciplinary project team, collaborating with scientists, engineers, technicians, and designers.
At the SES.3 level, advanced experience developing complex software or hardware solutions for control system automation in collaboration with stakeholders.
At the SES.3 level, significant experience following configuration management processes to develop control system requirements, design documents, and test plans, and prepare user documentation.
At the SES.3 level, advanced verbal and written communication skills, including preparing and explaining technical information, advising senior management and external stakeholders, and collaborating with technical staff, managers, stakeholders, and vendors at all organizational levels.
At the SES.3 level, demonstrated ability to lead independent work and collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment.
At the SES.3 level, significant experience troubleshooting complex control systems in an operations environment and identifying root causes.
At the SES.3 level, experience mentoring team members.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
Experience in industrial production environments, such as food and beverage, automotive, electronics, or pharmaceuticals.
Experience modernizing legacy control systems.
Experience and understanding of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis.
Understanding of Systems Engineering concepts.

Responsibilities

Design, document, deploy, and maintain hardware and software solutions for NIF control systems, including utility, safety, machine protection, laser alignment and diagnostics, and optics processing systems.
Collaborate with scientists, engineers, technicians, designers, and operations teams to develop control systems.
Provide technical input on control system requirements and designs through formal and informal design reviews.
Contribute to control system software and hardware design, implementation, and deployment while following configuration management processes.
Recommend improvements to control system architectures, processes, and frameworks.
Collaborate with system managers and/or software testers to develop and execute commissioning test procedures.
Support NIF operations by troubleshooting facility issues, identifying root causes, and supporting planned work affecting moderately complex control systems.
Participate in the reactive maintenance on-call rotation, as needed.
At the SES.3 level, analyze complex control system behavior, diagnose root causes, evaluate corrective actions, and collaborate across teams to resolve issues while maintaining system reliability and performance.
At the SES.3 level, conduct Failure Modes and Effects Analysis research and use findings to improve control system architecture.
At the SES.3 level, mentor junior staff and guide production and commissioning activities to ensure alignment with project requirements, quality standards, and operational objectives.
At the SES.3 level, potentially lead project teams developing and deploying control solutions.
Perform other duties as assigned.