Engineering Design Associate

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Engineering Design Associate to support new and on-going experiments and facilities for various programs at LLNL’s Site 200 and Site 300 (Tracy, CA). You will provide advanced design and drafting support including electronic and mechanical design, drawing and data management of complex control/diagnostic systems and sub-systems. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED)/Weapon Technologies and Engineering (WTE) Program supporting the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Principal Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at either the 334.1 or 339.2 level depending on your qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.

In this role you will

• Provide advanced Mechanical or Electro-Mechanical drafting and design support to lead designers, engineering, scientific, and technical staff utilizing knowledge of CAD tools where design parameters and specifications have been established.
• Perform advanced calculations to support technical work using standard engineering formulas.
• Exercise independent judgment and discretion in pursuit of division and program technical and administrative mission.
• Provide innovative conceptual engineering design and development proposals by preparing or directing initial layouts and checking form, fit, and function. Direct the design of apparatus, equipment, assemblies, facilities, utilities, and systems by interpreting and translating design concepts and layouts for the solution of complex and variable technical problems.
• Participate in the definition of functional requirements, solve complex technical and resource problems, and evaluate alternative design concepts consistent with schedule, cost, and material limitations.
• Provide technical leadership of the engineering design process and ensure the quality of the drawings produced along with adherence to standards.
• Maintain close working relationships with group leaders and program management to ensure timely, cost effective execution of supportive design/drafting services.
• Develop, prepare, present, and participate in required design reviews, reports, procedures, and other communications in support of technical and administrative assignments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the 339.2 level

• Provide highly advanced technical expertise in the areas of applied engineering technology including planning, design, fabrication, project support, testing, and evaluation where the qualitative and quantitative complexity of the project assignment demands original and innovative problem solutions.
• Collaborate on mechanical and/or electrical design solutions and modifications with high level technical personnel and senior engineering staff at the division and department level management or equivalent.
• Exercise a high degree of independent judgment and discretion in directing and guiding engineering personnel and Division staff to fulfill programmatic design assignments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant experience with the application of nuclear weapons technical business practices and product definition.
• Advanced design skills and knowledge of ASME Y14.5 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing and its applications, standard drafting practices, and manufacturing processes.
• Advanced written and verbal communication, feedback, and presentation skills necessary to represent the Division and Program at meetings, briefings, and committee activities both internal and external to the Laboratory and interact with people at all levels.
• Experience in formal design reviews and technical presentations.
• Experience using PTC Creo and Windchill Product Lifecycle Management software.

Additional qualifications at the 339.2 level

• Extensive experience in projecting complete design cycle function time for multi-disciplined projects and making independent fundamental decisions regarding variable technical problems, and ability to meet project requirements and deadlines.
• Extensive experience in the application of highly advanced ASME Y14.5 concepts in defining unusual geometrical requirements and in applying advanced drafting practices and fabrication techniques.
• Highly advanced knowledge of additive and subtractive manufacturing processes, welding and leak detection methods, material selection for design and manufacture, mechanics of materials, Finite Element Analysis using CREO Simulate, Engineering Design and Safety Standards.

Qualifications We Desire

• Extensive experience using advanced PTC Creo design modules, including Cabling, Sheetmetal, Surfacing, Rendering, Animation and Mechanism. Experience using CREO Schematics for parametric harness design.
• Experience using Enterprise Lifecycle Management (ELM) software.
• Experience in design of weapon systems, components, and related diagnostic and testing equipment.

Pay Range

$125,310 - $185,640 Annually

$125,310 - $153,444 Annually for the 334.1 level

$151,620 - $185,640 Annually for the 339.2 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.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Site 300

Site 300 is an experimental test site operated by LLNL. Situated on 7,000 acres in rural foothills approximately six miles southwest of downtown Tracy and 15 miles southeast of Livermore, Site 300 hosts approximately 200 employees with expertise in such fields as engineering, chemistry, biology, and environmental restoration. Employees assigned to work at Site 300 may be exposed to the organism that causes San Joaquin Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis*).*

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.

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.