Engineering Technical Associate

LLNL•Livermore, CA

8d•$125,310 - $185,640•Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is hiring an Engineering Technical Associate to support the W87-1 Modification Program within Strategic Deterrence. The role contributes to new and ongoing experiments at LLNL’s Livermore Site, the National Ignition Facility, Site 300, and other locations within the Nuclear Weapons Enterprise. Primary activities take place in the B391 Materials and Radiation Effects Lab and the B341 Survivability Lab at LLNL’s main site. The position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division within the Engineering Directorate and supports Strategic Deterrence operations. Full-time on-site presence is required. The position may be filled at level 337.1 or 339.2 depending on the candidate’s knowledge and related experience; additional duties apply at the higher level. The successful candidate works independently on complex to highly complex technical problems involving electronic and mechanical systems, exercises significant discretion and judgment in design and system improvements, and may lead technical teams. Duties include collaborating with scientists and engineers on experimental needs and test systems; designing, fabricating, assembling, disassembling, upgrading, and retrofitting electro-mechanical components and systems; supporting experiments at Livermore Site 300 and other NWE sites; applying materials and manufacturing knowledge to mechanical problems; developing procedures and documenting experiments; and collecting, communicating, and presenting data and test results. At level 339.2, the role also provides highly advanced technical support based on specialized knowledge of design, fabrication, assembly, and testing; makes high-impact decisions to balance program needs and hardware testing schedules; develops creative solutions to issues; and provides input on functional costs and budget forecasts. The role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. The candidate must be able to lift 50 pounds safely, become medically qualified to wear respiratory and other protective equipment while performing moderate work, complete required certifications, and periodically travel to Nuclear Security Enterprise sites. A job-related pre-placement medical examination may be required. External candidates selected for the role must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. Work in Limited Areas may restrict possession of personal or laboratory wireless devices. This is a Career Indefinite position open to Lab employees and external candidates. The listed annual pay range is $125,310–$185,640, with $125,310–$153,444 for level 337.1 and $151,620–$185,640 for level 339.2. Salary placement depends on factors including competencies, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and organizational needs.

Requirements

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for the clearance.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology and/or electro-optics technology, or an equivalent combination of education and significant related experience.
Experience making independent, fundamental decisions about a variety of complex technical problems while completing work assignments.
Significant experience providing advanced electro-mechanical design, fabrication, assembly, and system setup in support of experiments and experimental campaigns.
Significant experience in mechanical fabrication, assembly, and engineering principles.
Experience leading teams or other technical staff in fabrication and assembly of complex systems.
Advanced written, verbal, and presentation communication skills and ability to work constructively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
Experience with project and workforce effort planning, training, and providing technical direction to others.
Ability to complete and maintain certifications required by the position.
Ability to safely lift 50 pounds in a controlled manner.
Ability to become medically qualified to wear respirators and other protective equipment and perform moderate work while wearing respirators.
Ability to periodically travel to Nuclear Security Enterprise sites in support of the program mission.
For level 339.2: ability to work independently with minimal direction and use substantial discretion and judgment to define approaches and create and implement original solutions.
For level 339.2: extensive experience and highly advanced skills, knowledge, and abilities in electro-mechanical system-level builds involving high precision and critical timelines.
For level 339.2: highly advanced written, verbal, feedback, and presentation communication skills, including the ability to provide regular formalized reports and presentations to management and outside collaborators.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with classified materials and experimental equipment.
Experience with advanced engineering design and fabrication methods.
Experience fulfilling Work Control process and procedure requirements.
Experience working with PTC CREO and Enterprise Management tools.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with scientists and engineers on experimental needs, fielded test systems, and instrumentation.
Independently design, fabricate, assemble, disassemble, upgrade, and retrofit moderately complex to advanced electro-mechanical components and systems while following work control processes and procedures.
Provide advanced technical support to engineering, scientific, and technical staff planning and conducting experiments for Weapons Technology and Engineering programs at Livermore Site 300 and other Nuclear Weapons Enterprise sites.
Apply knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes to solve mechanical problems using established guidelines, techniques, and procedures.
Develop test, troubleshooting, maintenance, and operational procedures.
Provide documentation input for small- to large-scale experiments.
Collect, prepare, communicate, and present data and test results; identify problems and suggest solutions.
Provide technical advice and direction to other technical staff as needed.
At level 339.2, provide highly advanced specialized technical support for design, fabrication, assembly, and testing of parts, materials, and equipment.
At level 339.2, make high-impact decisions balancing WTE program needs and hardware testing dates, and resolve issues through creative solutions.
At level 339.2, provide input to WTE on functional cost and budget forecasts.