Work Planning Engineer / Principal Work Planning 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 are seeking a Work Planning Engineer/ Principal Work Planning Engineer who will work with supervisors and managers from across the Laboratory to provide advanced planning of LLNL work activities. You will develop detailed, technical work documents and Job Hazards Analyses in support of complex programmatic science, R&D, nuclear, explosives, maintenance, and/or subcontractor work.

If selected at the Principal Work Planning Engineer level, you will also mentor Work Planning Engineers and Work Planning Coordinators. This position is in the Work Planning and Control (WP&C) Office within the Environment Safety and Health directorate.

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. 

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization. 

You will:

• Lead work planning teams in applying a work control process for performing complex, technical and operational, high-hazard/high-consequence work activities in support of LLNL’s mission.
• Provide solutions to complex work control process issues and challenges that require in-depth analysis of multiple tangibles and in-tangible factors.
• Create Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), conduct field walkdowns, define scope, tasks, and hazards, perform hazard evaluations (e.g., What-If analysis), lead work package reviews to verify accuracy and resolve conflicts, obtaining concurrence, and facilitate final approval by the Authorizing Individual.
• Participate in pre-start reviews and pre-and-post job briefings. Utilize experience to provide feedback and improvement recommendations as well as lessons learned.
• Author concise work packages for higher-hazard, higher-complexity work, including writing technical work procedures for those activities, and integrating facility safety requirements (e.g. Documented Safety Analysis, Technical Surveillance Requirements, and Explosives Safety Basis requirements).
• Serve as the technical authority for complex or high-hazard work planning activities, providing expert interpretation of safety basis requirements, advising management and Authorizing Individuals on risk-informed decisions, and establishing planning strategies for unique or first-of-a-kind work evolutions.
• Use independent judgment to accomplish work control functional area management objectives.
• Review Lessons learned and Operating experience for applicability to the work and use your experience to provide feedback and improvement recommendations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additionally at the TSS.4 Level:

• Train, mentor and direct other Work Planning Engineers/Coordinators in applying the work control process across Integrated Safety Teams (ISTs).
• Routinely interact with colleagues, management, and organizations across and outside the Laboratory on advanced work control functional area management projects/programs.
• Lead or participate in efforts with governance documents, qualification cards, endorsements, mentor guides, associated training courses, partner training material, and user guides.
• Serve on internal/external committees representing work control functional area management and provide strategic technical advice to management and/or external sponsors.
• Serve as a work control functional area management spokesperson on specialized projects or programs.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, ESH or other related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and significant related experience.
• Significant experience in engineering, project management, science, or ESH roles supporting complex work activities, with advanced knowledge of engineering and ESH principles, compliance requirements, and chemical, industrial, explosives, or radiological hazards.
• Proficient interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team, explain technical or operational information clearly, and provide guidance to team members, supervisors, and management.
• Ability to make independent, technically defensible decisions for high-hazard work activities where errors may have significant operational, regulatory, or resource impacts.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities, and to apply project management principles to organize, coordinate, and accomplish work.
• Ability to develop and manage technical documentation (work procedures, LOTO procedures, and JHAs) and to facilitate multidisciplinary technical discussions, resolving conflicting professional opinions, demonstrating strong technical writing and facilitation skills.
• Experience interpreting and implementing regulatory requirements, Documented Safety Analyses (DSA), Technical Safety Requirements (TSR), Explosives Safety Basis, or other safety basis documentation.

In Addition, at the TSS.4 Level

• Subject matter expert knowledge of highly advanced work control concepts, best practices and Work Planning Software to lead work planners through high hazard planning evolutions (e.g., AL4 and nuclear work activities).
• Extensive experience in expert level application and development of technical, business, or operational principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to independently contribute to work control functional area management technical projects or support of other related programs.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to mentor and give constructive feedback to technical staff, and effectively present to and advise management, external sponsors, regulators, reviewers, and/or stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience applying various Human Organizational Performance (HOP) tools for both individuals and work teams (e.g. procedure use and adherence, place-keeping, pre-job briefings, etc.).
• Advanced knowledge of technical work with extensive nuclear and/or explosive safety/safety basis requirements.

Pay Range: $154,950 - $235,692 Annually

$154,950 - $196,476 (TSS.3) Annually

$185,850 - $235,692 (TSS.4) Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary range in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  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 Flexible Term appointment, which is for a definite period not to exceed six years.  If final candidate is a Career Indefinite employee, Career Indefinite status may be maintained (should funding allow).

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.

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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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