Senior Engineering Design Associate

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have multiple openings for Senior Engineering Design Associates. You will work independently by collaborating with scientists, engineers, and top-level technical personnel to provide highly advanced technical and management expertise in mechanical or electrical engineering to support the NIF & PS groups. You will conduct research to find solutions to engineering problems along with providing leadership in developing, designing, documenting, and analyzing highly complex mechanical or electrical systems for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) program. You will plan and lead multiple projects of significant complexity. You will author, review, and approve reports, manuals, and other engineering documentation as well as routinely presenting this material to superiors and subordinates. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division within the Engineering Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

In this role, you will

• Provide highly advanced technical support in originating, developing, analyzing, and documenting highly complex mechanical or electrical engineering design solutions.
• Translate high-level requirements into detailed 3D models and assemblies using Creo Parametric or SolidWorks; ensure model-based definition solutions are complete, accurate, and compliant with LLNL standards.
• Develop and/or approve technical support documentation for design solutions, including engineering analyses, FEA results, schedules, cost estimates, safety notes, procedures, and design safety documents.
• Capture and maintain design and configuration data in Windchill/ELM while applying advanced knowledge of CAD/PLM configuration management practices.
• Lead teams of technical personnel, assign tasks, define technical approaches, oversee work execution; may have supervisory authority and responsibility for training requirements.
• Provide highly advanced technical support and application of industry best practices on highly complex problems and tasks.
• Participate in and often lead formal design reviews, present design concepts, trade studies, risks, and recommendations to management, customers, and review committees.
• Plan, organize, budget, and lead multiple projects of significant scope and complexity.
• Mentor and provide specific on-the-job training to designers, engineers, and junior engineering associates, including advanced technical skills, engineering best practices, and LLNL processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering/Technology or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Extensive experience with Creo Parametric or AutoCAD and Windchill in a production engineering environment, including advanced modeling, assemblies, and model-based definition.
• Highly advanced knowledge of CAD/PLM practices, techniques, standards, and procedures, including configuration management and product lifecycle processes.
• Extensive experience in making independent technical decisions for broad segments or sections of major projects, including safety, performance, and cost impacts.
• Extensive experience in coordinating both individual activities across multiple components and stakeholders, requiring attention to detail, accuracy, and independent follow-through.
• Advanced leadership skills, including leading technical teams or groups, providing technical direction and day-to-day oversight, mentoring and providing specific on-the-job training, coordinating workforce needs, scheduling, and work assignments.
• Extensive experience in analyzing and interpreting highly complex design requirements and to use creativity, independent discretion, and judgment to develop original engineering design solutions.
• Highly advanced written, verbal, feedback, presentation. and communication skills with the ability to present highly complex technical material to management and outside collaborators.
• Highly advanced experience in engineering hand calculations and CAD supported FEA or similar engineering analysis tools to support design decisions.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience, including developing staff resourcing plans and team structure recommendations, providing performance review input, and making promotional recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience planning, organizing, budgeting, and leading multiple projects of significant scope, with a record of meeting technical, schedule, and cost objectives.

Pay Range

$151,620 - $185,640 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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To learn more about recruitment scams:https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

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