Mechanical Engineer – Optomechanical Systems

LLNL•Livermore, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is seeking Mechanical Engineers to support projects in the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science Directorate (NIF&PS). LLNL is a leading institution in science and technology, contributing to U.S. security and global stability through advancements in nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense. The NIF&PS team recently achieved fusion ignition, opening new physics regimes and possibilities for fusion energy, and also supports scientific exploration in national security, astrophysics, materials, and nuclear sciences. The role involves providing engineering solutions across various projects within NIF&PS, including hardware design and development, and applying advanced precision, structural, thermal, and/or fluid analytical tools. Successful candidates will join a multidisciplinary team responsible for the design, integration, sustainment, and advancement of systems for high-energy laser operations. These positions are within the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division of the Engineering Directorate and require full-time on-site presence. The position can be filled at either the SES.2 or SES.3 level, with additional responsibilities assigned at the higher level.

Requirements

Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Precision Engineering, or related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Comprehensive knowledge and experience in precision optomechanical system design and integration, including structural design of stability-critical assemblies, alignment methodologies, real-time feedback or compensation systems, and/or controls integration.
Broad experience and proficiency in moderately complex to complex engineering analysis using structural and thermal modeling tools, with the ability to evaluate system-level performance and environmental sensitivities.
Comprehensive knowledge and experience in material selection, fabrication methods, and precision metrology for optomechanical hardware and inspection systems.
Experience supporting hardware integration, system testing, troubleshooting, and performance validation in operational environments.
Broad knowledge and application of moderately complex engineering hardware design, fabrication, configuration control, and testing processes within a multidisciplinary setting.
Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information.
Significant experience with the design, commissioning, operation, or maintenance of complex precision mechanical, optomechanical measurement or alignment systems (at SES.3 level).
Advanced level knowledge and significant experience with the application of complex mechanical design, data analysis techniques, advanced statistics, and/or modeling (at SES.3 level).
Experience mentoring others, leading small teams in a technical environment, coordinating efforts with other groups, and ensuring compatibility with interdependent systems (at SES.3 level).
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 (at SES.3 level).
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 (at SES.3 level).

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Precision Engineering, or a related field.
Extensive experience designing, integrating, and sustaining Advanced Optical Inspection systems, such as imaging-based damage inspection, scatterometry, or target alignment platforms in large-scale laser or optical facilities.
Experience with precision optical metrology, imaging system characterization, alignment instrumentation, metrology frames, integrated sensor systems, and controls integration in support of inspection and diagnostic platforms.

Responsibilities

Work under limited direction with moderate responsibility, use comprehensive knowledge, and exercise independent judgment to determine methods and recommend improvements within established frameworks and contribute to the fulfillment of project and organizational goals.
Contribute to the design and characterize precision machine tools and optomechanical subsystems, including tolerance stack-up analysis, error budgets, and measured error compensation, and mitigation of vibration, thermal drift, and environmental effects on system performance.
Participate and support laboratory testing, system characterization, and performance validation, and diagnostics for precision systems or optical sensor technology, including prototype testing.
Contribute to the development and implementation of hands-on engineering R&D test plans, analyze experimental results, and author and present technical reports while working under limited direction.
Provide solutions to moderately complex to complex detailed designs of subsystems for optics inspection, laser alignment, coating, transport and handling, or metrology systems.
Participate in and support procedures for assembly, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and calibration of subsystems and contribute to system integration, requirements, and interface control documentation (ICDs), drawing release, and configuration control, and fielding support.
Contribute to the development of optomechanical measurement and alignment systems utilizing scientific camera technology.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams consisting of engineers, designers, technicians, scientists, and coordinators, while working under limited direction within established frameworks.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Function independently with minimal direction, exercising advanced technical judgment to establish objectives, prioritize parallel efforts, allocate resources, and develop innovative methods and technologies that ensure successful project execution and alignment with organizational goals (at SES.3 level).
Conduct technical tasks with hands-on laboratory R&D efforts to sustain and advance system capabilities, while guiding project coordination and completion for repairs, upgrades, and performance improvements in collaboration with engineers, scientists, designers, and technicians (at SES.3 level).
Collaborates in the development and implantation of new analytical solutions to complex engineering problems utilizing advanced modeling, statistical analysis, system-level error budgeting, and creative application of established techniques (at SES.3 level).
Collaborate in formal and informal design reviews and multidisciplinary team efforts, applying technical concepts to resolve complex technical and programmatic issues and meet performance, schedule, and integration objectives (at SES.3 level).