Materials Scientist

About the role

The Extreme Light, Matter, and Fusion Directorate (LMF), formerly the NIF & Photon Science Directorate, is seeking a Materials Scientist to support the characterization, processing, and integration of glasses, crystals, ceramics, coatings, and other inorganic optical materials used in laser components and optical systems. The successful candidate will contribute to materials development and evaluation for high-power and high-energy laser applications.

This position will work within an interdisciplinary research and development environment and collaborate with scientists, engineers, technicians, and industrial partners. The selected candidate will perform materials characterization, optical metrology, optical processing, and opto-mechanical assembly while supporting assigned laboratory capabilities and instrumentation.

In this role, you will

• Contribute to the development in new materials, including chemical, physical, mechanical, structural, thermal, and optical properties, and characterize glasses, crystals, ceramics, coatings, and other optical materials used in laser and optical systems.
• Work under general direction following established procedures to inspect installed optics for optical damage and obtain samples for off-line metrology and materials analysis.
• Participate in the wet-bench processing of optics and samples, including cleaning, etching, surface preparation, and application of treatments to optical components.
• Apply characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, spectroscopy, microscopy, surface characterization, optical metrology, and other relevant methods, and analyze and interpret experimental data using appropriate statistical, computational, and data-analysis tools.
• Participate in the opto-mechanical assembly, including precision optical bonding and related component-integration activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level

• Contribute to research on the interaction of materials with light, including optical absorption and laser-induced damage, Characterize material failure mechanisms associated with mechanical stress, environmental exposure, processing defects, and optical damage.
• Under limited direction, synthesize coating materials for specialized optical and laser applications, and establish and maintain operating procedures for assigned laboratory equipment, exploring a variety of approaches within established methods.
• Prepare patents and peer-reviewed publications, both internally and externally.
• Serve as an Instrument Owner for assigned laboratory equipment, and prepare technical reports, experimental plans, procedures, and presentations.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Fundamental knowledge with materials characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, spectroscopy, microscopy, surface characterization, and optical metrology.
• Fundamental knowledge with wet-bench processing, e.g., chemical treatment, cleaning, etching, or surface preparation of optics and samples.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills, including experience preparing technical reports, publications, and presentations.
• Familiarity with cleanroom practices, contamination control, chemical safety, and the handling of hazardous materials.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with peers.

Additional qualifications, at the SES.2 level

• Comprehensive knowledge of materials science concepts, including the chemical, physical, mechanical, structural, and optical properties of materials, demonstrating full competency.
• Broad experience and demonstrated ability to perform independent work, including independently planning and executing research in a laboratory environment while working effectively on multidisciplinary teams.
• Broad application of materials science principles, theories, concepts, and techniques, in addition to working knowledge of related fields such as laser-material interactions, laser-induced damage, thermal effects, optical absorption, scattering, and material failure mechanisms.
• Broad experience developing, synthesizing, processing, or improving optical materials and coatings, including evaluation of coating performance.
• Broad experience establishing and maintaining procedures for laboratory equipment and instrumentation, and recommending process improvements as appropriate.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information, including preparing patents and peer-reviewed publications.
• Ability to independently learn and apply new materials-characterization methods, tools, and technical concepts, and to establish effective working relationships with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master of Science degree in Materials Science or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience with optical inspection, optical-damage assessment, and off-line metrology of installed or test optics.
• Experience operating, maintaining, or serving as an Instrument Owner for laboratory equipment.
• Strong analytical skills, including data interpretation, experimental design, uncertainty assessment, and use of modeling or data-analysis tools.
• Experience developing and applying techniques relevant to materials science.
• Experience with optical coatings and coating-performance evaluation.
• Experience developing standard operating procedures, laboratory work instructions, calibration plans, and equipment qualification records.
• Record of publications, patents, presentations, or other technical contributions in materials science or laser technology.
• Demonstrated experience characterizing the chemical, physical, mechanical, structural, and optical properties of materials, and developing, synthesizing, processing, or improving optical materials, including knowledge of laser-material interactions, laser-induced damage, thermal effects, optical absorption, scattering, and material failure mechanisms.

Pay and benefits

Pay Range $121,830 - $185,544 Annually $121,830 - $154,500 Annually for the SES.1 level $146,340 - $185,544 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.

Position Information

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

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

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.

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