Mechanical Test Engineer

LLNL•Livermore, CA

9h•$146,340 - $222,564•Hybrid

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is hiring a Mechanical Test Engineer to support the Survivability Engineering Team and the Strategic Deterrence program. The role provides technical leadership throughout the test lifecycle, applying systems engineering practices and established guidance to design, manage, and deliver high-quality experimental systems and test results. The engineer works closely with Principal Investigators, designers, technicians, coordinators, facility integration staff, and internal and external organizations to plan, execute, and report engineering tests. The primary focus is designing, testing, and fielding experimental hardware that meets operational requirements and produces usable data. Tests may take place at the National Ignition Facility, nuclear reactors, and explosive test ranges, subject to facility interface and safety requirements. The role may be filled at either the SES.2 or SES.3 level, depending on the candidate’s knowledge and related experience. At SES.2, the engineer contributes to system design and lifecycle activities under limited direction. At SES.3, the role includes technical strategy and oversight, leadership of complex experimental systems, coordination and direction of technical staff and multidisciplinary contributors, and mentoring. The position reports to a DTED Hydrodynamic Design & Test Group Leader. Depending on assignment and program needs, a hybrid schedule with some work-from-home days may be available. This is a Career Indefinite position. The role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. External applicants selected for the position must pass a pre-employment drug test; a job-related pre-placement medical examination may also be required.

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 or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Comprehensive experience in mechanical hardware design, including 3D CAD modeling, engineering drawings, material selection, and design for fabrication and assembly.
Comprehensive experience designing, building, and testing experimental hardware, including selecting, installing, and checking out instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
Comprehensive knowledge of testing practices and data processing, and operational experience with engineering testing processes, including developing and releasing test plans and reports.
Knowledge of and experience with systems engineering principles, including requirements development, design reviews, and systems engineering documentation.
Experience with project tracking and management, including schedules, risk management, and communicating scope, schedule, and budget variances to leadership.
Experience coordinating multidisciplinary team members, including designers, technicians, and coordinators.
Ability to use independent judgment to determine methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria.
Strong verbal and written communication skills for collaboration and presenting and explaining technical information.
Ability to travel.
At SES.3: advanced knowledge of systems engineering principles and hardware design, fabrication, or testing processes.
At SES.3: significant experience leading experimental hardware design, fabrication, and fielding from concept through data delivery.
At SES.3: experience preparing and conducting technical, design, and project reviews, and completing associated documentation, action-item tracking, and reporting.
At SES.3: experience organizing, directing, and monitoring schedules and budgets for concurrent projects, reprioritizing work, and recommending technical priorities and resource adjustments.
At SES.3: significant experience leading the activities of other personnel.
At SES.3: advanced communication skills for collaboration, explaining technical information, and advising management.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Engineering or a related field.
Active DOE Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.
Knowledge or experience in vibration and shock measurements, experimental modal and dynamic analysis, optical velocimetry such as PDV, instrumentation, or data acquisition theory.
Experience designing hardware for high-cleanliness, vacuum, or laser facility environments.
Experience designing with, analyzing, or testing composite materials.
Experience using standard project management and risk management practices.
Ability to interpret specifications and mechanical drawings, including Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
Experience working in environments with stringent safety and security policies.
Experience working with or around radioactive materials, or in complex regulatory environments.
Experience working in the NNSA nuclear weapons program.

Responsibilities

Contribute to system design and test lifecycle activities for the System of Interest, following design guidelines and the defined level of rigor.
Develop comprehensive system requirements and document the system design process using relevant systems engineering documentation.
Participate in design reviews, engineering reviews, multi-site meetings, and program reviews.
Work with Principal Investigators to define experiment objectives and operational requirements, and request information needed for system design and test execution.
Conduct trade studies of experiment configurations and diagnostic options to identify designs that meet test objectives within cost, schedule, and facility constraints.
Contribute to mechanical design of experimental hardware fielded at the National Ignition Facility, including test fixtures, test article mounts, and diagnostic integration, while meeting cleanliness, materials, and interface requirements.
Select, integrate, and field instrumentation and test hardware, and develop data acquisition approaches that ensure high-quality data.
Plan and support development, qualification, and checkout testing of hardware and diagnostics before fielding; support fabrication, assembly, and installation.
Develop and release test plans and test reports, and guide or observe testing in program-managed and other permitted workspaces, including the National Ignition Facility, nuclear reactors, and other relevant facilities.
Maintain project schedules; track, document, and communicate risks; and promptly notify project leadership of scope, schedule, and budget variances.
Collaborate with project teams and internal and external organizations to plan and execute testing.
At SES.3, set technical strategy and direction, provide technical oversight, and lead the design and fielding of complex experimental systems.
At SES.3, serve as the primary technical contact, coordinate stakeholder communications, and lead system design and test execution meetings.
At SES.3, monitor or direct technical staff and coordinate multidisciplinary contributors, resolving subsystem and organizational interface issues through guidance and technical direction.
At SES.3, establish component-, subsystem-, and system-level test and lifecycle plans; mentor less experienced team members; and serve on internal or external technical/advisory committees.
Perform other duties as assigned.