Flight Test Mission Engineer

LLNL•Livermore, CA

10d•$154,950 - $235,692•Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is seeking a Mission Execution Engineer to support the Flight Test Group. This fast-paced, cross-disciplinary team specializes in the rapid development of reliable, in-field deployable assets, including autonomous rafts, UAS, and camera systems. The ideal candidate will possess a broad range of engineering knowledge and experience, with specific expertise in mechanical-electrical system design, fabrication, testing, and troubleshooting. A key focus will be on process improvement and design upgrades to support the deployment and recovery of assets used for mission support. This position is within the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED)/Weapon Technologies and Engineering (WTE) Program, supporting the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Principal Directorate. This role requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work. The position can be filled at either the TSS.3 or TSS.4 level, depending on the candidate's knowledge and experience. Additional responsibilities will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

Requirements

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Experience developing program plans, schedules, milestones, and deliverables.
Ability to coordinate roles, responsibilities, resources, and priorities across multiple organizations.
Knowledge of budgeting, funding processes, and resource allocation.
Ability to develop a working understanding of technical mission requirements and support systems.
Skill in building and maintaining strong sponsor and customer relationships.
Ability to identify inefficiencies and recommend process improvements to enhance mission or program success.

Nice To Haves

PMP Certification
The ability to maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity.
Ability to manage changing priorities and support evolving mission requirements.
Experience identifying program risks, developing mitigation strategies, and resolving issues proactively.
Strong problem solving skills with demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, identify practical solutions, and implement effective courses of action in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

Support mission operations multiple times each year, with travel expectations of 25% to 45%, including occasional deployments of two to six weeks in remote locations.
Supports mission planning, coordination, execution tracking, and delivery of mission objectives.
Coordinate and contribute across all LIDSS disciplines (Mission Execution, optics, analysis, development, etc.), ensuring alignment of people, equipment, schedules, and deliverables.
Serves as the decision support and escalation point during missions, ensuring issues are resolved quickly and mission objectives remain on track.
Support sponsor communications by providing mission readiness assessments, including clear communication of readiness status (e.g., Green/Yellow/Red) and associated risks.
Partners closely with the Field Lead to ensure all required equipment is properly planned, shipped, and available in the field, acting as a cross-check for completeness and readiness.
Ensures timely and accurate delivery of data review packages and all other relevant reports and analysis.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Works directly with sponsors to help them better understand Flight Test capabilities and determine mission deliverables, when necessary.
Works with sponsors to identify key players, define roles and responsibilities, and coordinate with appropriate personnel to resolve open or lingering issues.
Develops an in-depth understanding of all technical facets of mission support, ranging from communications systems to ship selection requirements for chartering.
Understands analytical reports and ensures they meet final deliverable requirements.
Maintains a complete understanding of the various mission types, identifies process improvements, and advocates for funding to develop technical solutions that reduce mission risk.
Maintains sponsor relationships during off-mission periods to provide support as needed and instill confidence in the team’s ability to support new mission requirements at any time.
Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex programs from initiation through completion.
Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to address open or lingering issues effectively.
Experience reviewing reports and ensuring final deliverables meet requirements and expectations.
Able to develop repeatable processes and mentor personnel to improve overall group efficiency.