Senior Mechanical Engineer

About the role

We have multiple openings for Senior Mechanical Engineers to provide engineering design solutions for new and ongoing projects. You will apply technical knowledge in mechanical engineering to develop conceptual ideas into workable and cost-effective solutions that support research and investigations of nuclear materials.

Your technical responsibilities will include design, development, fabrication, integration, testing and fielding of new projects and upgrades. This position will report programmatically to a Capabilities Portfolio Manager in the Superblock. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) within the Engineering Directorate.

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 up to one day per week.

These positions 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

• Provide technical expertise in mechanical and electromechanical design for new projects and capabilities in the Superblock, a DOE nuclear R&D facility.
• Conduct research in structural, thermal, hydraulic, or dynamics modeling of mechanical systems.
• Produce advanced conceptual and detail designs in support of on-going projects.
• Prepare supporting health and safety documentation that is aligned with the Integrated Safety Management (ISM) requirement and participate in design and Management Prestart Reviews.
• Coordinate project interfaces and deployment interfacing with other organizations internal and external to the Laboratory.
• Lead and/or provide guidance and technical direction to multidisciplinary project teams in a growing, dynamic environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level

• Set broad project vision and strategy and influence technical direction for self and others.
• Provide expert capability in highly complex mechanical design and analysis.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of mechanical design.
• Significant experience in prototype development and testing, as well as hardware design and analysis.
• Ability to devise solutions for unique and complex problems.
• Ability and flexibility to reprioritize and change programmatic direction depending on emergent requests.
• Significant experience in managing, overseeing, and delivering multiple projects on budget and schedule.
• Ability to lead, manage, and mentor junior team members.
• Advanced communication skills with proven ability to present concepts and ideas in a clear and coherent manner, both verbal and written for presentation and interaction with other technical staff members.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

• Expertise in highly complex mechanical design and analysis and significant experience in project planning and highly complex technical leadership.
• Significant experience developing and implementing creative solutions to a diverse range of highly complex problems and leading corrective actions where necessary.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to present, explain, and advise senior management and/or external sponsors and proven record of team building and conflict resolution.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Advanced knowledge of systems engineering principles and practices and their application.
• 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.

Pay and benefits

Pay Range $175,530 - $267,060 Annually $175,530 - $222,564 Annually for SES.3 Level $210,630 - $267,060 Annually for SES.4 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.

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.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

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

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