Product Design Engineer

We have multiple openings for Product Design Engineers to support component design or surveillance efforts. Responsibilities could be focused on weapon component product designs and/or weapon surveillance process development, design verification (testing and/or analysis, including assessment of collected surveillance data) and release of product definition (drawings and specifications) to production agencies. You will also support resolution of production-partner related issues, develop/execute engineering evaluations of production and surveillance processes at the production facilities and evaluate non-conformances. You will be assigned to one or more Product Realization Teams (PRTs) supporting nuclear weapon modernization programs or enduring systems. These positions are in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), within the Engineering Directorate. DTED provides support to Strategic Deterrence (SD) Programs.

These positions 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.

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

• Coordinate, administer, update, and release PRT documentation including project plans, qualification plans, design requirement documentations, and interface definitions, following standard techniques and methodologies.
• Contribute to and derive engineering requirements, develop conceptual designs, perform supporting assessment of mechanical components, systems, test prototypes and associated diagnostics, and support realization of production and/or surveillance processes at Production Agencies, using defined practices, principles, and concepts.
• Contribute to and/or prepare supporting safety and engineering documentation.
• Participate in engineering test operations, provide engineering support, and collaborate with team members in analyzing results, and writing technical reports.
• Review and support producibility, manufacturability and/or surveillance process issues, and provide solutions to operational problems of limited complexity.
• Participate in formal and informal engineering design reviews, multi-site PRT meetings, and program reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level 

• Utilize comprehensive engineering knowledge and apply relevant experience and broad technical concepts and techniques to resolve complex technical and programmatic issues.
• Exercise independent judgment to determine methods, techniques, and evaluations criteria to obtain and analyze results, and to provide solutions for a diverse range of moderately complex problems that require the creative use of established or innovative methods and often involve multiple, largely identifiable factors.
• Coordinate and contribute to the execution of engineering testing and data analysis and assist in preparing technical reports, documentation, and presentations.
• Contribute to the successful completion of project and organizational goals and provide input on technical issues for specific tasks and projects.
• May provide guidance and/or informal mentoring to less experienced team members.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Familiarity and fundamental knowledge of and experience with requirements development and engineering drawings.
• Fundamental knowledge of and operational experience with engineering testing processes, and demonstrated ability to conduct data analyses.
• Familiarity and fundamental knowledge of and/or experience with design principles.
• Fundamental knowledge of and/or applied experience with material properties and manufacturing methods.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a multidisciplinary team environment, present and explain technical information, and interact with LLNL weapons program staff, nuclear security enterprise sites, and federal management staff.
• Ability to travel.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of hardware design, fabrication or testing processes.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of and operational experience utilizing systems engineering, design for manufacturing, and quality engineering.
• Experience preparing and conducting design/project reviews, as well as performing and completing the subsequent documenting, tracking, and reporting of action items.
• Experience organizing, directing, and monitoring schedule and budgets) for multiple concurrent projects and the ability to reprioritize and change programmatic direction depending on emergent requests.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• Experience with product development processes including requirements management, design prototyping, product testing, business planning, pilot production, and manufacturing. Experience in manufacturing or setting up manufacturing processes at a production facility.
• Ability to interpret specifications and mechanical drawings including Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Knowledge of design applications employing high explosive materials.Working knowledge of quality engineering and/or quality assurance and control.
• Experience in definition/specification releases, configuration management, and Product Lifecycle Management systems.
• Experience working in the NNSA’s nuclear weapons program. Working knowledge of NNSA’s Defense Programs Business Process Systems.

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 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.

#LI-Hybrid

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.

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.