Imagery Analyst: Z Program

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.

We have an opening for an Imagery Analyst to join an interdisciplinary team conducting analysis on issues critical to the national security interests of the United States. We seek creative, rigorous analysts with strong imagery analysis skills with the ability to evaluate complex information and synthesize it into clear, concise, and actionable insights.

Our teams perform high-impact analysis on across weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and advanced, emerging, and critical technologies as well as produce finished assessments for senior U.S. Government (USG) decision makers. In this role, you will apply strong research, analytic, writing, and communication skills to support sponsor priorities, engage with Intelligence Community (IC) stakeholders, and contribute to project and organizational objectives. Successful candidates will be expected to conduct complex imagery, data analysis, technology assessments and foreign program analysis relevant to foreign capabilities, technology trajectories, and national security implications.

This position is in the Science and Technology Assessments (STA) Program within the Global Security Directorate’s Z Program and may be filled at the SES.3 or SES.4 level, depending on qualifications, experience, and demonstrated skills. Responsibilities will be assigned commensurate with the selected level.

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

In this role, you will

• Perform in-depth imagery analysis by exploiting multi-source imagery (EO, IR, SAR, FMV, multispectral) and integrating geospatial data to produce timely, accurate intelligence products.
• Conduct independent research, under minimal direction, on sensitive and politically significant national security topics.
• Produce high-quality intelligence assessments, annotated imagery, maps, and briefings using GIS and imagery exploitation tools while independently supporting operational and strategic intelligence missions.
• Provide solutions to complex analytic problems; conduct appropriate research and analytic approaches; collect and evaluate data; and produce written assessments and briefings that meet Intelligence Community analytic standards.
• Research, prioritize, and validate information related to assigned national security issues; maintain awareness of relevant technical, geopolitical, and policy developments.
• Guide the completion and contribute to the development of a focused research agenda in assigned topic areas that addresses key science, technology, and policy questions.
• Exert significant influence on technical and analytic contributions to organizational objectives by presenting substantive analysis to sponsors, customers, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external subject matter experts, sponsors, and partners.
• Travel as necessary to engage with sponsors, stakeholders, and partner organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.4 level

• Develop innovative methods and contribute to the advancement of knowledge of geospatial and intelligence data management within a variety of USG compliant applications and databases.
• Develop new ideas in identifying analytic priorities, defining highly complex problems, and proposing analytic research methodologies with consultative direction.
• Contribute to the development of new program opportunities, including the definition and development of research proposals and interaction with potential sponsors and customers.
• May lead multidisciplinary teams assigned to highly complex analytic tasks on relevant national security issues to inform the development of strategies and plans, and to meet programmatic objectives.
• Coordinate across agencies, mentor analysts, and deliver executive-level intelligence assessments and briefings that inform national security policy, operational planning, and strategic decision-making.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for intelligence related tasks and moderate-sized projects, balancing competing priorities effectively.

• 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. Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
• Bachelor’s degree in geography, political science, international relations, or a relevant scientific or engineering discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced experience conducting imagery analysis, including tasking, and exploiting imagery and producing imagery-related infographics.
• Advanced  experience working within or with the Intelligence Community (IC) on imagery analysis, or equivalent combination of education and experience conducting analysis on national security issues related to scientific and technical intelligence, WMD, or advanced, emerging, and critical technologies.
• Advanced experience managing multiple assignments, adapt to changing priorities, and deliver high-quality work on deadlines.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information and provide advice to management.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

• Expert-level experience contributing to or leading multidisciplinary teams and partnering effectively with external organizations.
• Expert-level experience in leading highly complex imagery missions by directing multi-INT analytic efforts, developing collection strategies, advancing analytic tradecraft, and serving as the senior technical authority on imagery analysis. 
• Subject matter expert knowledge and experience conducting imagery analysis; expert-level experience effectively working independently, under consultative direction, to perform independent analysis and collaborate effectively with technical experts in a variety of national security disciplines.
• Expert-level experience and proven ability to produce, as lead author, impactful and accessible analytical assessments on relevant national security issues including both detailed long form papers and shorter high-level products for expert and senior-level audiences.
• Significant experience and proven ability to work effectively under deadline, coordinate workloads on multiple projects simultaneously, and balance conflicting priorities.
• Subject matter expert knowledge of collection processes and management, with a demonstrated capability to build a collection plan against a defined problem set.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to present, explain, and advise senior management and/or external sponsors.

Qualifications We Desire

• Active Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in geography, political science, international relations, or a relevant scientific or engineering discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience, with demonstrated ability to lead the application and development of principles, theories, and concepts.
• Extensive publication record in imagery and/or all source analysis with demonstrated impact.
• Combination of academic and/or professional experience in both complex technical subjects and national security and policy analysis.
• Significant experience and proven track record of successfully managing and leading multidisciplinary project teams.

Pay Range

$175,530 - $267,060 Annually

$175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 level

$210,630 - $267,060 Annually for the SES.4 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith 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 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.  Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.  Please note that your current active Q or Top Secret clearance with DOE or another agency does not guarantee DOE SCI access approval; if you are denied access, you may be subject to reinvestigation of your existing Q or Top Secret Clearance. 

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.

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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. 

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