Weapons Infrastructure Project Engineer

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 a Weapons Infrastructure Project Engineer. You will plan, manage, and execute equipment recapitalization projects to support weapons infrastructure. The infrastructure projects are needed to support capabilities such as the nuclear weapons program in high explosives, warhead test and evaluation, physics performance evaluation, and science, technology and engineering. These positions are in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), within the Engineering Directorate. DTED provides support to Strategic Deterrence Programs.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week. 

This position 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

• Utilize independent judgement to develop requirements, designs, project scope, costs, schedule and risk plans to field and execute projects focused on programmatic equipment and their supporting utilities/facilities. Projects include installation of ultraprecision machine tools, coordinate measuring machines, glove boxes, thermal ovens, environmental chambers, and other unique custom program equipment and specialized utilities that support them.
• Collaborate with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to write statements of work and integrate with the required real property.
• Review, write and develop technical specifications and drawings, and present information in formal and informal design reviews.
• Work closely with vendors and procurement personnel in acquisition of programmatic equipment and utility installation contracts.
• Prepare supporting health and safety documentation that is aligned with the Integrated Safety Management (ISM) requirements and participate in design and Management Prestart Reviews.
• Develop and implement rigorous project management methods and tools to ensure successful execution of infrastructure projects, and collaborate with mission support organizations in O&B and Science, Technology and Engineering (ST&E) to direct successful project execution.  This includes planning and budgeting project activities, managing contractors, executing work, and reporting progress.
• Serve as primary technical contact on various tasks and projects. Lead a team of specialists including technical Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), facility operations, Weapons Program, Procurement, and Environmental Safety and Health (ES&H)..
• Coordinate with the High Explosives and Energetics (HE&E) program and Weapons Infrastructure Energetic Materials Integrated Project Team (IPT) to scope, plan, organize, and execute real-property projects that support the strategic vision and long-range mission requirements of each.
• Work closely with the portfolio manager of the HE&E Special Facilities and Equipment (SFE) program to plan equipment acquisitions and any concomitant infrastructure upgrades needed thereof.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level 

• Apply subject matter expertise, technical breadth, critical thinking and in-depth analysis to develop and implement a systems approach for programmatic equipment projects and request and prioritization. Assess technical direction, set broad research/project vision and influence by developing efficient processes to execute projects.
• Act as a technical expert, working closely with program managers and weapons equipment and facility portfolio managers to ensure project execution meets approved cost, scope and schedule requirements.
• Assist with infrastructure portfolio management and monitoring and provide guidance to other Project Engineers. Collaborate with various programmatic stakeholders to develop and manage priorities. 
• Collaborate with funding program managers for the Capabilities Based Infrastructure (CBI) and HE&E programs to perform strategic planning for programmatic projects and develop cost estimates. Collaborate with WI leadership to develop input for institution wide planning related to infrastructure. This includes working closely with the WI business managers to ensure project status and performance data requirements are reported promptly and accurately to NNSA.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant knowledge of specialized facility equipment design, fabrication, installation, and commissioning.
• Significant knowledge of the concepts of systems engineering and their application in integration of specialized facility equipment with facility construction projects.
• Experience effectively managing projects and ability to organize and conduct rigorous design and project reviews.
• Ability to devise solutions for complex technical requirements with initiating and developing innovative solutions for successful project execution.
• Ability to manage (organize, direct, and monitor schedule and budgets) multiple projects concurrently and reprioritize and change programmatic direction depending on emergent requests.
• 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 to visit vendors and brief at NNSA Headquarters.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

• Expert knowledge and experience to deliver infrastructure to support technical capabilities integrating both scientific equipment and facilities modernization.
• Extensive experience in leading teams, overseeing, and delivering multiple projects on budget and schedule.
• Extensive experience and ability to champion and translate user capability requirements into stringent cost, scope, risk, and schedule specifications.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to present, explain, and advise senior management and/or external sponsors.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree or experience in engineering and/or special certification as a Professional Engineer, project management or cost estimation professional.
• Experience working in the nuclear weapons program and with Laboratory operations and business processes.
• Experience with the DOE explosives standard DOE-STD-1212 and or DoD high explosive safety standards such as the Defense Explosives Safety Regulation 6055 versions.
• Experience serving on an IPT as part of a team for major infrastructure or capital projects.
• Knowledge of procurement, supply chain, and institutional interfaces that affect infrastructure and equipment project execution.
• Ability to communicate the impact of projects to help inform and motivate participants.
• Familiarity with the Laboratory infrastructure planning processes, including site development and area plans as well as the G2 database.
• Experience supporting specialized hazardous highly-regulated operations with stringent requirements.

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 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-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.

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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. 

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