Nuclear Safety Engineer

About the role

We have an opening for a nuclear weapon safety engineer to participate in new and ongoing programs. Nuclear weapon safety engineers are responsible for the design, assessment, and implementation of nuclear weapon safety components and subsystems. Our engineers interface with colleagues at other National Laboratories and Production Agencies, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and Department of War (DoW) and their contractors. These positions are in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), within the Engineering Directorate. DTED provides support to Strategic Deterrence Programs.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

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.

You will

• Partner with system engineers, product realization teams, test engineers, analysts, and other stakeholders internal and external to LLNL to derive safety requirements, develop and mature conceptual designs, and perform supporting analyses and tests for demonstrating weapon safety requirements are met.
• Conduct evaluations of components, subsystems, and system responses under normal and abnormal environments in support of stockpile stewardship, modernization programs, and future weapon system concepts.
• Maintain awareness of design, development, production, maintenance, and dismantlement activities that affect weapon-system safety.
• Prepare supporting safety and engineering documentation and participate in engineering design reviews.
• Work independently as well as a part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Travel to the other National Laboratories, the Production Agencies, NNSA locations, and DoW sites for meetings, briefings, and safety evaluations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Coordinate project interfaces and execution with organizations internal and external to the Laboratory.
• Lead and provide guidance and technical direction to multidisciplinary project teams in a growing, dynamic environment.
• Provide engineering knowledge to resolve complex technical and programmatic issues.
• Perform independent technical tasks to provide solutions for complex issues.
• Select methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to obtain results based on analysis of multiple, largely identifiable factors.

Qualifications & Requirements

• This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience working with safety-critical components, subsystems, and systems for high-hazard, high-consequence applications, such as aerospace systems safety, reactor safety, nuclear facility safety, or munition safety.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and experience working effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment, with the ability to present and explain technical information to peers and project leaders.
• Ability to obtain higher clearances if needed to support programmatic work, which may require a polygraph test.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information to peers, project leaders, and senior leadership.
• Systems engineering experience for nuclear or high-consequence systems, including applying systems thinking to ensure stakeholder needs are met.
• Proficiency with foundational science and engineering principles and experience with safety analysis methods and tools, such as event-tree, fault-tree, failure modes and effects analysis, margin and uncertainty quantification.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience with nuclear weapon safety design and assessment, the NNSA documented safety analysis process for nuclear explosive operations, Nuclear Explosive Safety evaluations, and nuclear weapon surety requirements, such as DOE Order 452-series.
• Experience working with NNSA Nuclear Security Enterprise laboratories and plants, including Pantex Plant, Kansas City National Security Campus, Sandia National Laboratories, and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
• Ability to obtain certification for NNSA's Nuclear Explosive Safety Study Group through classroom and on-the-job training.
• Knowledge of design applications employing high explosive materials.
• Experience working in an environment with stringent safety and security policies.

Pay and benefits

Pay Range $146,340 - $222,564 Annually $146,340 - $185,544 Annually for the SES.2 level $175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 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 an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire.

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.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

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