Control Systems Hardware Engineer

LLNL•Livermore, CA

14h•Onsite

About The Position

We have multiple openings for a Control Systems Hardware Engineer . You will provide engineering solutions for developing, implementing, and maintaining control systems hardware in the National Ignition Facility (NIF), the world’s highest-energy pulsed laser system responsible for the recent LLNL fusion breakthrough. With over 60,000 control points distributed throughout the facility, many of NIF’s subsystems have control technologies at their core. You will contribute to the engineering design and development of new hardware and system upgrades to continually improve system performance and reliability. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate. The position will be filled at either the SES.2 or SES.3 level depending on your qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level. In this role, you will Work under limited direction with moderate responsibility, use comprehensive knowledge, and exercise independent judgment to determine methods and recommend improvements within established frameworks to contribute to the fulfillment of project and organizational goals. Provide industrial controls and embedded systems hardware solutions that contribute to the definition, design, documentation, assembly, fielding, and maintenance of National Ignition Facility control systems. This includes hardware supporting precise motion control for optical alignment, laser diagnostics, utility systems, and other systems throughout the facility. Contribute to daily activities by providing engineering support for deployment, activation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance of moderately complex to complex control system hardware. Refine and maintain the system requirement specifications and control system design to meet project goals. Assist in minimizing project risks by participating in formal and informal design reviews and providing input on technical issues. Maintain a close interface with the various programmatic and project elements to provide regular status reviews, ensure effective teamwork and compliance with programmatic requirements, and facilitate end-user communication. Determine, analyze, maintain, and present metrics for system reliability and performance used to drive investments in system improvements. May provide guidance and informal mentoring to less experienced team members. Perform other duties as assigned. Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level 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/technology to guide the completion of projects and contribute to the development of organizational goals. Resolve complex technical and programmatic issues by applying and contributing to the development of high-level technical concepts and techniques. Interface and coordinate with multidisciplinary associates beyond the local work group, representing the organization as the primary technical contact and defining broad requirements for NIF control system hardware. Guide formal and informal design reviews and team efforts, providing technical direction in conducting the design of complex control systems hardware. Employ project management skills to achieve required system performance while also managing shared resources/procurements to enhance hardware control system operations. Develop documentation that will be used as a basis for the long-term maintenance and operation of systems deployed in a 30-year facility.

Requirements

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
Bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline related to electronics, electrical engineering, controls, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Comprehensive knowledge of and previous experience and proficiency in one or multiple of the following areas: Design of industrial Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based control systems, including design of control panels or enclosures, selection of appropriate PLC controllers and modules based on system requirements and devices, and specification of connections with sensors, devices, and other computing systems.
Motion control using open and closed-loop feedback with DC and AC motors.
Industrial analog and digital circuit design for incorporation into controls/instrumentation hardware, including design of embedded hardware such as microcontrollers, FPGAs, etc.
Design and specification of industrial computer systems such as VME, VPX, and PC/104.
Integration of moderately complex to complex embedded hardware into systems in a high EMI environment.
Analog and discrete instrumentation (sensors, actuators, controllers).
Data acquisition and signal processing/conditioning.
Broad experience reading, interpreting, and generating design documents including drawings, procedures, statements of work and test plans.
Experience using electronic measurement diagnostics - including oscilloscopes and TDRs – to troubleshoot issues that arise during commissioning and operation of control systems.
Experience working as a member of a multidisciplinary team, which includes working with scientists, engineers, technicians, and designers.
Experience supporting control systems throughout the full engineering lifecycle, including design, commissioning, and operational maintenance.
Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and to present and explain technical information.
Advanced level knowledge of and significant experience in the design of complex control systems hardware architectures.
Experience mentoring others, leading small teams in a technical environment, coordinating efforts with other groups, and ensuring compatibility with interdependent systems.
Demonstrated project management skills necessary to manage controls scope of a complex project and achieve system requirements within allotted schedule, while planning for future enhancements and creating strong process documentation.
Significant experience defining scope from often not well defined and/or rapidly changing requirements, including demonstrated ability and flexibility in reprioritizing and changing programmatic direction depending on emergent needs.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP/RTU, etc.).
Familiarity with electrical CAD tools (AutoCAD or similar).
Experience or working knowledge of relevant codes and standards (NFPA 70/NEC, NFPA 79, UL 508A).

Responsibilities

Work under limited direction with moderate responsibility, use comprehensive knowledge, and exercise independent judgment to determine methods and recommend improvements within established frameworks to contribute to the fulfillment of project and organizational goals.
Provide industrial controls and embedded systems hardware solutions that contribute to the definition, design, documentation, assembly, fielding, and maintenance of National Ignition Facility control systems. This includes hardware supporting precise motion control for optical alignment, laser diagnostics, utility systems, and other systems throughout the facility.
Contribute to daily activities by providing engineering support for deployment, activation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance of moderately complex to complex control system hardware.
Refine and maintain the system requirement specifications and control system design to meet project goals.
Assist in minimizing project risks by participating in formal and informal design reviews and providing input on technical issues.
Maintain a close interface with the various programmatic and project elements to provide regular status reviews, ensure effective teamwork and compliance with programmatic requirements, and facilitate end-user communication.
Determine, analyze, maintain, and present metrics for system reliability and performance used to drive investments in system improvements.
May provide guidance and informal mentoring to less experienced team members.
Perform other duties as assigned.
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/technology to guide the completion of projects and contribute to the development of organizational goals.
Resolve complex technical and programmatic issues by applying and contributing to the development of high-level technical concepts and techniques.
Interface and coordinate with multidisciplinary associates beyond the local work group, representing the organization as the primary technical contact and defining broad requirements for NIF control system hardware.
Guide formal and informal design reviews and team efforts, providing technical direction in conducting the design of complex control systems hardware.
Employ project management skills to achieve required system performance while also managing shared resources/procurements to enhance hardware control system operations.
Develop documentation that will be used as a basis for the long-term maintenance and operation of systems deployed in a 30-year facility.