Laser Engineer

LLNL•Livermore, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is seeking a Laser Engineer to join the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations Division (LSEO) within the Engineering directorate. This role involves participating in the research and development of laser systems for isotope separation, focusing on challenges in bandwidth, wavefront, timing, and alignment control. You will collaborate with LLNL's laser and separation teams to design, develop, and deploy lasers for various DOE and DOD missions, including Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation (AVLIS). The position requires working under limited direction with moderate responsibility, utilizing comprehensive knowledge, and exercising independent judgment to improve processes and contribute to project goals. Responsibilities include planning and executing experiments to scale average power, pulse energy, and transport/delivery of LIS laser and optical systems, designing, building, and testing diagnostic and control systems, and providing scientific and technical guidance for laser system construction. You will also coordinate resources, plan experimental campaigns, document research, potentially train/mentor others, provide deliverables, publish papers, and present results at conferences. Additionally, you will specify and procure specialty laboratory equipment and supplies, and adhere to strict laboratory safety requirements. For the SES.3 level, responsibilities expand to include functioning independently with minimal direction, leading technical efforts with budget and schedule responsibility, defining and prioritizing tasks, and contributing to new program opportunities and research proposals.

Requirements

Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and prior relevant experience.
Comprehensive knowledge and experience performing experiments with optics, lasers, and laser science.
Experience planning experimental campaigns for scientific conferences.
Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
Effective proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with a multi-disciplinary research team, author technical and scientific reports, publications, papers, and presentations.
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 (SES.3 level).
Significant experience working independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team, and ability to lead advanced research and development activities (SES.3 level).
Advanced experience performing experiments with optics, lasers, and laser science (SES.3 level).

Nice To Haves

Experience with laser sources, with emphasis on high average-power pulsed lasers.
Experience in engineering or physics laboratories, including data acquisition and control system development/utilization.
Familiarity with state-of-the-art laser technologies such as solid-state fiber-based lasers.

Responsibilities

Plan and execute laboratory experiments with a primary emphasis on scaling the average power, pulse energy, and transport and delivery of LIS laser and optical systems.
Perform independent work on a team with LLNL scientists to design, build, and test diagnostic and control systems for lasers and sensors.
Collaborate and provide scientific and technical guidance in close coordination with an engineering team as required to construct a laser system that will support the production of useful quantities of enriched isotopes.
Work within a dynamic team, including senior and junior scientists and engineers, to coordinate resources, plan experimental campaigns, document research, may perform training/mentorship, provide deliverables, publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results at scientific conferences.
Specify and procure specialty laboratory equipment and supplies.
Adhere to strict laboratory safety requirements.
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 (SES.3 level).
Lead technical efforts with responsibility for budgets, schedules, deliverables, and resource allocation (SES.3 level).
Define and prioritize tasks to ensure that programmatic objectives are met in a timely and efficient manner (SES.3 level).
Use technical knowledge to contribute to the development of new program opportunities, including the definition and development of research proposals and interaction with potential sponsors and customers under minimal direction (SES.3 level).