Electro-Optical Diagnostic Engineer

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States' security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are looking for individuals that demonstrate an understanding of working in partnership with team peers, who engage, advocate, and contribute to building an inclusive culture, and provide expertise to solve challenging problems.

Pay Range:

$117,180 -$178,392 Annually

$117,180 - $148,608 Annually at the SES.1 level

$140,700 - $178,392 Annually at the SES.2 level

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.

We have multiple openings for an Electro-Optical Diagnostic Engineer in the Target Diagnostic Engineering & Science (TDES) Group for the National Ignition Facility (NIF). You will be responsible for the engineering and experimental setup of various target diagnostic systems. You will provide engineering support for new additions, upgrades to existing hardware, overall coordination, implementation of shot setup, maintenance, and repair for a set of optical diagnostic systems. Your work will involve project management and navigation of NIF-specific business applications. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division of the Engineering Directorate

This position will be filled at either the SES.1 or SES.2 level depending on your qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.

In this role, you will

• Interacts primarily with the organization for optical diagnostics to ensure the design and setup is operating effectively in a 24/7 facility.
• Contribute to the system design, implementation, and integration for optical diagnostic components and subsystems and participate in design reviews.
• Address experimental concerns for newly designed hardware such as: location, interference with other Target Area activities, considerations for facility or utility impacts, installation plans, and staffing/operational plans.
• Maintain, test, and upgrade optical diagnostic systems, such as Optical Thomson Scattering (OTS), Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR), Near Backscatter Imager (NBI), Full Aperture Backscatter System (FABS), or Scattered Light Time Diagnostic (SLTD), evaluating readily identifiable factors and using standard techniques and methodologies.
• Participate and collaborate with, and contribute to engineering support of operations by providing solutions for preventative maintenance, engineering documentation, and process improvements, while adhering to defined practices and procedures.
• Resolve, disposition, track, and provide solutions to operational problems of limited complexity associated with any of the optical systems employed on NIF and promote design changes.
• Ensure offline calibration and availability of critical spare system components.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

In Addition at the SES.2 Level

• Perform independent research into new approaches to record optical signals, using creativity and innovation in the application of established methods.
• Work independently, under limited direction, selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to contribute to the design and experiments to characterize subcomponents.
• Address concurrent technical tasks with competing priorities in a multi-disciplinary team environment including important commitments and deadlines, exploring a variety of approaches and methods and recommending improvements as appropriate.
• Manage system upgrades through the entire engineering lifecycle from ideation through implementation following the IPRB design review process.
• Contribute to the successful completion of project and organizational goals and provide technical input on tasks and projects.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship
• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Electrical Engineering or related field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Fundamental knowledge of optical systems, fibers, and photon-to-electronic processes, as well as optical design, fabrication, installation, and testing of diagnostic systems.
• Operational experience with oscilloscopes and similar recording systems, CCD and CMOS camera systems.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information.
• Experience using fundamental project management practices.
• Ability to work in confined or restricted movement areas, climb stairs, stand, or walk for long periods of time.

In Addition at the SES.2 Level

• Experience identifying, defining, and solving multi-disciplinary problems of moderate complexity in a timely, cost-effective manner.
• Comprehensive knowledge of, demonstrated full competency, and relevant experience with developing detector systems, high-speed optical streak cameras, or moderately complex electro-optical systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge for target or laser diagnostic systems and support of off-normal reactive maintenance.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment, interact with management, and to present and explain technical information.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience working with optical components, performing beam alignments, and troubleshooting laser performance issues.
• Experience working with radiological materials and associated controls.
• Experience in the development of hardware or systems used in clean vacuum environments.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

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

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our core beliefs - 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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