Materials Research Automation Engineer – Materials Research Staff Member

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

This is the lowest to highest salary in good faith 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 an opening for a Materials Research Automation Engineer Staff Member to work in our Advanced Manufacturing & Materials Processing Section (AMMP). You will collaborate with a team of engineers and scientists to design, build, integrate, test, and maintain automation systems for the acceleration of materials discovery. Specifically, you will leverage industry-proven concepts and industrial automation technologies including but not limited to programmable logic controllers (PLC's), human machine interfaces (HMI's), machine vision systems, sensors, actuators, and various robot systems to build platforms capable of high-throughput, ML-driven, materials discovery. These positions are in the Materials Engineering Division (MED), within the Engineering Directorate.

In this role, you will

• Work independently, under general direction, to solve problems of limited complexity using standard techniques and methodologies and fundamental knowledge, and by adhering to defined practices and procedures.
• Design automation systems capable of high-throughput experimentation for materials discovery.
• Perform research and development of one or more of the following areas: Architected Responsive Materials, Additive/Advanced Manufacturing, High-throughput automaton, Material Modeling and Microscale Material Testing, alloy development.
• Organize, analyze, and present data from research, including documenting methods, assumptions, results, and insights in reports and presentations.
• Conduct research and analysis to address well defined problems.
• Pursue independent (but complementary) research interests and interact with scientists internal and external to the Laboratory.
• Collaborate with others in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals, while also contributing to the fulfillment of technical projects and organizational objectives.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals and present results at external conferences seminars and/or technical meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field, with an emphasis/concentration in Mechatronics, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Fundamental knowledge and experience using architecting, programming, and commissioning complex PLC-based control systems for industrial applications.
• Experience and proficiency in programming and commissioning industrial robots (SCARA, 6-axis articulated).
• Fundamental knowledge of Beckhoff PLC architecture, programming, motion control, safety, and product lines.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Python, IEC 61131-3 (PLC) programming languages, SPEL+, and UR Scripting.
• Experience programming and tuning closed-loop control systems such as PID.
• Experience using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software tools for the design and simulation of mechanical assemblies.
• Experience with one or more of the following areas: Responsive metamaterial design, advanced additive manufacturing/3D printing systems (Nanoscribe, BMF systems), multimaterial printing, and alloy preparation and characterization.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary and dynamic team environment utilizing experience and fundamental knowledge of experimental design, techniques, and execution.
• Sufficient organizational and verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information to a variety of audiences.

Qualifications We Desire

• Masters in Mechanical Engineering, with an emphasis/concentration in Mechatronics
• Experience with analytic and computational modeling and simulation, and data analysis.
• Experience using rapid prototyping tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters,
• Experience with manual machining and fabrication processes such as milling, turning, welding, etc.
• Experience with material characterization and mechanical testing such as: Tensile/compression testing, DMA, 3-point bend, Rheometry, NMR, GPC, SAXS/WAXS.
• Experience with progamming languages such as: LabVIEW, MATLAB, C/C++.

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

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.