Laser and Metrology Process Engineering Team Leader

Are you ready to lead a team advancing world-class optics processing capabilities in support of national security science?  The Optics Materials Science & Technology (OMST) team at the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) is seeking a Laser and Metrology Process Engineering Team Leader. You will lead a small team of laser and metrology scientists responsible for the safe and efficient operation of laser-based optical processing and metrology facilities that directly support NIF and related programs. You will report directly to the OMST Program Director and will be accountable for facility performance, process development, technical rigor, sustainment and operational safety, while collaborating closely with stakeholders across NIF, OMST, and external vendors. This position is part of the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division within the Engineering Directorate.

In this role, you will

• Lead teams, programs, or functions with a technical focus, operate under consultative direction with substantial authority, use subject matter expertise and significant team leadership experience, and exercise judgment within established policies to monitor workflow, allocate resources, ensure timely completion of projects, independently determine strategies, and achieve objectives while managing organizational impact and pursuing actions to achieve long-term goals.
• Provide technical leadership for a small team of laser and metrology scientists, including mentoring, performance feedback, work planning, and professional development.
• Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of laser-based optical processing and metrology facilities that support NIF and related optical systems.
• Develop, implement, and maintain processes, procedures, and best practices that govern laser-based optical processing and metrology operations, including documentation and configuration control.
• Develop, track, and report quantitative and qualitative performance metrics to monitor facility throughput, availability, quality, and reliability, and drive continuous improvement.
• Coordinate and support facilities both onsite and vendor locations, including periodic travel to vendor sites to oversee process execution, troubleshoot issues, and ensure adherence to LLNL requirements.
• Apply strong working knowledge of large-aperture interferometers and interferometric analysis tools, including Mx and 4Sight, to guide metrology system configuration, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Use a strong understanding of laser and optical delivery principles and methods to design, review, and optimize optical processing and metrology configurations.
• Apply a solid understanding of frequency conversion and non-linear optics, as well as geometrical and physical optics, to guide system designs, troubleshoot performance issues, and evaluate trade-offs in optical processing and metrology architectures.
• Utilize familiarity with optical engineering software codes such as Code V and FRED to support optical system design, modeling, tolerancing, and analysis for both processing and metrology systems.
• Oversee and support operations involving high average power lasers, ensuring safe operating envelopes, effective hazard controls, and optimized performance for processing and metrology applications.
• Serve as the Authorizing Individual (AI) for multiple laser-based laboratories, ensuring compliance with LLNL laser safety policies, training requirements, and operational controls.
• Serve on expert committees and working groups that help guide NIF operations, contributing subject-matter expertise in laser processing, metrology, and optics handling.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, safety, and programmatic partners to prioritize work, align resources, and resolve technical and operational issues.
• Prepare and present technical reports, status updates, and recommendations to OMST and NIF leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Master’s degree in physics, optics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant experience working with laser-based systems and optical metrology in a research, industrial, or national laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated experience with large-aperture interferometers and interferometry analysis codes such as Mx and 4Sight, including system setup, calibration, data reduction, and interpretation.
• Subject matter expert in laser and optical delivery principles and methods, including beam propagation, focusing, alignment, and energy/fluence control for processing and metrology applications.
• Subject matter expert in frequency conversion and non-linear optics, including applications in high energy or high average power laser systems.
• Subject matter expert in geometrical and physical optics and the design and analysis of highly complex optical systems.
• Expert-level experience in optical engineering software codes such as Code V and FRED for optical design, modeling, and analysis.
• Expert-level experience working with high average power laser systems, including hazard identification, mitigation strategies, and operational best practices.
• Significant experience leading technical teams or projects, including setting priorities, assigning work, mentoring staff, and delivering results in a schedule driven environment.
• Strong commitment to safety culture and experience implementing and enforcing laser and facility safety practices, procedures, and training.
• Proven ability to develop, document, and maintain technical processes and procedures, and to define and track performance metrics for highly complex facilities or systems.
•  Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to interact with multidisciplinary teams, stakeholders, and management.
• Ability to travel as required for project and business needs.

Qualifications We Desire

• PhD in physics, optics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience within a national laboratory or comparable highly regulated technical environment.
• Familiarity with NIF, high energy laser facilities, or large-scale optical processing and metrology operations.
• Experience engaging with external vendors on technical specifications, process control, quality assurance, and troubleshooting.
• Prior service as an Authorizing Individual (AI) or equivalent role for laser laboratories, or direct experience with LLNL laser safety policies and processes.
• Experience developing or contributing to expert committees or technical review panels for complex scientific or engineering facilities.

Pay Range

$227,430 - $288,396 Annually

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.

#LI-Onsite

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

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.

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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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