Mechanical Engineering Lead

LLNL•Livermore, CA

19h•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a dynamic and accomplished leader to join our team as the Mechanical Engineering Lead within the National Ignition Facility and Photon Sciences (NIF&PS) Directorate. In this pivotal role, you will provide both technical leadership and team management for the engineering, maintenance, reliability, and sustainment of specialized optics processing systems and supporting infrastructure within the Optics Materials Science & Technology (OMST) organization. You will collaborate closely with a diverse group of engineers, technicians, designers, craft personnel, operations staff, project managers, and vendors to drive innovation and ensure the reliable performance of critical OMST systems that support world-class optics processing capabilities. This position is part of the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division within the Engineering Directorate and offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of large-scale, high-impact scientific and national security mission support. This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

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, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Demonstrated leadership skills with a track record of successfully managing and guiding multidisciplinary technical teams.
Subject matter expert knowledge and significant experience with highly complex industrial, manufacturing, facility, or process systems, including maintenance, upgrades, controls, and system integration.
Significant experience in systems engineering, reliability engineering, equipment sustainment, or maintenance engineering, including the use of computer-based control, monitoring, or data acquisition systems.
Proven ability to analyze and interpret highly complex technical data, manage multiple projects, and set priorities effectively.
Expert verbal and written communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration, technical presentations, and the ability to provide clear advice to management.
Recognized subject matter expertise, knowledge, and experience in the design, operation, sustainment, or upgrade of highly complex technical systems or infrastructure, with the ability to lead the application and development of highly advanced associated principles, theories, and concepts.
Extensive experience conducting technical evaluations, tests, or experiments in complex research, industrial, or production environments and/or supporting large-scale system operations, maintenance, or production.
Expert level collaboration and negotiation skills necessary to explain, influence, and advise all levels of technical staff, program management, and/or external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree (MS or Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent advanced knowledge.
Experience supporting large-scale facility operations, specialized manufacturing systems, optics processing systems, or mission-critical infrastructure.
Familiarity with cleanliness-controlled, safety-conscious, or high-consequence operational environments.

Responsibilities

Lead teams, programs, or functions with a technical focus, operate under consultative direction with substantial authority, use subject matter expertise and significant team leadership experience, and exercise judgment within established policies to monitor workflow, allocate resources, ensure timely completion of projects, independently determine strategies, and achieve objectives while managing organizational impact and pursuing actions to achieve long-term goals.
Provide technical mentorship and leadership to multidisciplinary teams supporting OMST facilities, infrastructure, and specialized optics processing systems.
Establish, maintain, and ensure quality standards for project deliverables, and guide project teams to execute the process in accordance with customer funding, facility requirements, and integration expectations.
Oversee hardware and system design enhancements, upgrades, and modifications for OMST equipment and infrastructure, ensuring solutions meet evolving programmatic and operational requirements throughout the system’s lifecycle.
Provide input to the management team on solutions that enhance the reliability, maintainability, and productivity of OMST equipment and systems.
Lead, guide, and direct teams in the design, prototyping, testing, commissioning, and sustainment of new and upgraded OMST equipment and systems.
Assess strategic technical needs and lead strategic initiatives to develop and implement new engineering, maintenance, and reliability methodologies, including recommending process improvements, serving as subject matter expert, and providing technical advice.
Design and execute studies, tests, or experiments to further strengthen OMST system capabilities, reliability, and performance, using highly advanced principles, theories, and concepts.
Develop and maintain comprehensive design documentation, maintenance procedures, operating instructions, calibration protocols, and training materials.
Troubleshoot highly complex technical issues and resolve highly complex problems with support from subject matter experts, close problem logs, and provide off-shift support for critical operations as needed.
Champion a culture of safety, ensuring all activities are performed in accordance with the highest standards of personnel and facility safety, as well as relevant ES&H, security, and business policies.
Perform other duties as assigned.