Alignment and Process Engineer

Company Description

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 dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$117,180 - $178,392 Annually

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

$140,700 - $178,392 Annually for 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.

Job Description

We have multiple openings for Alignment and Process Engineers to support the National Ignition Facility and Photon Sciences (NIF&PS) programs. NIF is the world’s most powerful and energetic laser. You will be part of a team responsible for developing, documenting, and commissioning manual and automated alignment processes for NIF diagnostics, while continuously monitoring and improving their performance. In this role, you will create tools and procedures, apply advanced spatial reasoning to predict alignment accuracy, and educate NIF users on alignment capabilities. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role you will

• Operate under general direction with limited responsibility, adhere to established procedures, and use fundamental knowledge and standard techniques to solve problems and contribute to project milestone completion.
• Develop, document, and commission both manual procedures and automated alignment processes for NIF diagnostic hardware.
• Conduct failure modes and effects analyses (FMEA) to identify and mitigate machine safety risks.
• Monitor process performance and recommend improvements.
• Review diagnostic hardware designs to ensure compliance with alignment process requirements.
• Collaborate with software developers to maintain and improve industrial control systems.
• Train operators, educate users on alignment capabilities, and support commissioning activities and off-normal events.
• Contribute to technical projects, organizational objectives, and project milestones as a team member on multidisciplinary teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level

• Work under limited direction with moderate responsibility, use comprehensive knowledge, and exercise independent judgment to determine methods and recommend improvements within established frameworks and contribute to the fulfillment of project and organizational goals.
• Develop tools and procedures using Excel and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).
• Analyze data using MATLAB and Python; create SPLUNK dashboards for system monitoring.
• Apply advanced spatial reasoning, including trigonometry and matrix manipulation, to predict alignment accuracy and improve system performance.
• Perform uncertainty analyses to assess alignment process proposals.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Optics, or related technical discipline or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience with the design, commissioning, operation, or maintenance of laser or opto-mechanical systems.
• Fundamental knowledge of laser, optical, or opto-mechanical systems, including remote control of devices using computer-based systems.
• Knowledge of, and ability to apply data analysis techniques, statistics, and systems engineering concepts.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams to solve technical problems.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Comprehensive knowledge of and expertise in complex precision hardware, laser, optical, or opto-mechanical systems.
• Broad experience participating in design reviews and mentoring others in technical areas.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to address technical issues and optimize processes.
• Proficient organizational, presentation, and communication skills to collaborate effectively, document work, and present and explain technical information.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related field.
• Experience in laser alignment, beam characterization, optical design, and image acquisition techniques.
• Familiarity with CCD and CMOS cameras and image processing.
• Experience with large-scale laser system operations, maintenance, or production support.
   

Additional Information

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

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!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet 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 use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate 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.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

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. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.