Modeling and Simulation Engineer

LLNL•Livermore, CA

4h•Hybrid

About The Position

We have an opening for a Modeling and Simulation Engineer within the Analytical Capability Group (ACG). ACG supports LLNL weapon system design and assessments with modeling and simulation in-house tool development. You will perform code development work focusing on a Python modeling environment (a collection of libraries and applications) that interfaces with multiple engineering solvers and post-processing applications. This will involve developing methods and tools to streamline the end-to-end engineering analysis workflow, which includes Product Lifecycle Management and Simulation Process Data Management platform integration, mesh generation, model preprocessing, job monitoring, simulation postprocessing and visualization, and report generation. This work additionally prepares for integration within a multi-agent large language model framework to accelerate the end-to-end analysis process. This position is in the Computational Engineering Division (CED), within the Engineering Directorate. Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week. This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

Requirements

Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
Master’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Civil Engineering with a focus on structural mechanics and/or solid mechanics, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Comprehensive knowledge of and/or applied experience developing software in Python, C, C++, or similar languages.
Proficient interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills necessary to effectively interact and collaborate in a multidisciplinary team environment and to present and explain technical information.
Ability to work independently to complete assignments, while adhering to defined practices and procedures, as well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to independently gather information from manuals and other documentation to build workflow tools to those programs.
Advanced knowledge and operational experience in computational mechanics, including modeling and simulation tools.
Advanced knowledge and experience, and demonstrated proficient skills writing in one or more programming languages such as Python, C, C++, or similar languages.
Demonstrated ability to meet schedule and deliverables for multiple concurrent projects with a range of priorities, and to reprioritize and change programmatic direction depending on emergent requests and needs.
Experience preparing and conducting testing and data analysis, as well as performing and completing documentation, tracking, and reporting of action items.

Nice To Haves

PhD in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Civil Engineering with a focus on structural mechanics and/or solid mechanics, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Experience conducting computational analysis in a multi-physics context and with software on massively parallel systems.
Experience in development of software including testing, documentation, and user support.
Experience using and/or developing agentic workflows using Large Language Models in support of computational engineering analysis.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the development of software tools for managing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and other numerical modeling workflows including preprocessing, post-processing, and data management targeting high performance computing (HPC) platforms.
Provide support to engineering analysts, which may include debugging problems, providing alternative solutions, and quickly implementing new features.
Participate in the integration of engineering analysis tools with other frameworks supporting LLNL’s Digital Transformation objectives, as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) integration within the end-to-end engineering analysis process.
Document analyses, methods, and implementation activities and processes in both informal and formal reports and presentations.
Share relevant knowledge, analysis, and recommendations in collaboration with internal and external scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer scientists through reviews and working groups.
Interface with other development teams working on tools that support analysis workflows.
Perform analysis of complex mechanical systems subject to dynamic structural and thermal loads with emphasis on high performance computational techniques.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Exercise independent judgment to determine technical objectives, criteria, and techniques to execute the appropriate technical approaches, obtain and analyze results, provide solutions for a diverse range of moderately complex problems, and to satisfy project deliverables.
Utilize comprehensive engineering knowledge and apply relevant professional experience, broad technical concepts and techniques, and best practices to provide input on technical issues for specific tasks and projects, resolve technical and programmatic issues, and contribute to the successful completion of project and organizational goals.
Coordinate and contribute to the execution of engineering testing and data analysis and assist in preparing technical reports, documentation, and presentations.
Provide guidance and mentor junior staff, student fellows, and summer student researchers.