Nuclear Safety Engineer

LLNL•Livermore, CA

6d•$146,340 - $222,564•Hybrid

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is hiring a nuclear weapon safety engineer to participate in new and ongoing programs. The role is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division within the Engineering Directorate, which supports Strategic Deterrence Programs. Engineers design, assess, and implement nuclear weapon safety components and subsystems, working with colleagues at other National Laboratories and Production Agencies, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of War, and their contractors. Depending on assignment, the position may offer a hybrid schedule with one or more work-from-home days per week. The position may be filled at the SES.2 or SES.3 level based on knowledge and related experience. At either level, the engineer contributes to safety requirements, conceptual designs, analyses, tests, component and system evaluations, engineering documentation, and design reviews. The SES.3 level additionally includes coordinating project interfaces and execution, leading multidisciplinary teams, and resolving complex technical and programmatic issues. This is a Career Indefinite position open to Lab employees and external candidates. An active DOE Q-level clearance or an active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency is required at the time of hire. The role may require travel to National Laboratories, Production Agencies, NNSA locations, and Department of War sites.

Requirements

An active DOE Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Experience working with safety-critical components, subsystems, and systems for high-hazard, high-consequence applications, such as aerospace systems safety, reactor safety, nuclear facility safety, or munition safety.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and experience working effectively in multidisciplinary teams, including presenting and explaining technical information to peers and project leaders.
Ability to obtain higher clearances if needed to support programmatic work, which may require a polygraph test.
At the SES.3 level, systems engineering experience for nuclear or high-consequence systems, including applying systems thinking to meet stakeholder needs.
At the SES.3 level, proficiency in foundational science and engineering principles and experience with safety analysis methods and tools, such as event-tree analysis, fault-tree analysis, failure modes and effects analysis, and margin and uncertainty quantification.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Experience with nuclear weapon safety design and assessment, the NNSA documented safety analysis process for nuclear explosive operations, Nuclear Explosive Safety evaluations, and nuclear weapon surety requirements such as DOE Order 452-series.
Experience working with NNSA Nuclear Security Enterprise laboratories and plants, including Pantex Plant, Kansas City National Security Campus, Sandia National Laboratories, and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Ability to obtain certification for NNSA’s Nuclear Explosive Safety Study Group through classroom and on-the-job training.
Knowledge of design applications employing high explosive materials.
Experience working in an environment with stringent safety and security policies.

Responsibilities

Partner with system engineers, product realization teams, test engineers, analysts, and other stakeholders to derive safety requirements, develop conceptual designs, and perform supporting analyses and tests.
Evaluate components, subsystems, and system responses under normal and abnormal environments in support of stockpile stewardship, modernization programs, and future weapon system concepts.
Maintain awareness of design, development, production, maintenance, and dismantlement activities that affect weapon-system safety.
Prepare safety and engineering documentation and participate in engineering design reviews.
Work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Travel to other National Laboratories, Production Agencies, NNSA locations, and Department of War sites for meetings, briefings, and safety evaluations.
Perform other duties as assigned.
At the SES.3 level, coordinate project interfaces and execution with organizations inside and outside the Laboratory.
At the SES.3 level, lead and provide guidance and technical direction to multidisciplinary project teams.
At the SES.3 level, provide engineering knowledge to resolve complex technical and programmatic issues.
At the SES.3 level, perform independent technical tasks to solve complex issues and select methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria based on analysis of multiple identifiable factors.