Mechanical Test Engineer

Job Description

We have an opening for a Mechanical Test Engineer to support the Survivability Engineering Team. In this role, you will provide technical leadership throughout a test's lifecycle, including all stages of system design and management. You will utilize systems engineering practices and established guidance to deliver high-quality system designs and test results. This work supports the Strategic Deterrence (SD) program and involves collaborating closely with Principal Investigators (PIs), designers, technicians, and coordinators to plan, execute, and report on engineering tests. As a Mechanical Test Engineer, your primary responsibility will be designing, testing, and fielding experimental hardware that meets the PI’s operational requirements and produces high-quality, usable data. Testing may take place at facilities such as the National Ignition Facility (NIF), nuclear reactors, and explosive test ranges, where you will partner with facility integration staff to ensure your hardware meets facility interface and safety requirements. This position will report to a DTED Hydrodynamic Design & Test Group Leader.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more daysper week depending on program needs.

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.

In this role you will

• Contribute to the system design and test lifecycle activities, including all stages of system design and management for the System of Interest (SoI), following design guidelines based on the defined level of rigor under limited direction.
• Produce comprehensive system requirements for the SoI and document the system design process with relevant systems engineering documentation.
• Participate in and support design reviews throughout the design process for the SoI, and participate in formal and informal engineering design reviews, multi-site meetings, and program reviews.
• Work with Principal Investigators (PIs) to define experiment objectives and operational requirements, and request information from the PI as needed to support system design and test execution.
• Conduct trade studies of experiment configuration and diagnostic options to identify the design that best meets test objectives within cost, schedule, and facility constraints.
• Contribute to the mechanical design of experimental hardware fielded at NIF, including test fixtures, test article mounts, and diagnostic integration, meeting stringent cleanliness, materials, and interface requirements.
• Select, integrate, and field instrumentation and test hardware such as Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV), strain gages, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), thin-film heaters, and accelerometers; develop data acquisition approaches that ensure high-quality data.
• Plan and support the execution of development, qualification, and checkout testing of hardware and diagnostics prior to fielding; support hardware fabrication, assembly, and installation.
• Develop and release test plans and test reports; guide test activities in program-managed workspaces and participate in or observe test activities in non-program-managed workspaces as allowed including NIF, nuclear reactors, and other relevant facilities.
• Maintain an accessible project schedule, track and identify, document, and communicate risks throughout the project's lifecycle, and notify project leadership of relevant scope, schedule, and budget variances in a timely manner.
• Work as a member of a project team in a dynamic environment and interface with other organizations both internal and external to the Laboratory to plan and execute testing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Conduct technical tasks and/or set specific technical strategy and direction for self and/or others.
• Provide technical oversight on projects utilizing advanced knowledge of systems engineering and testing practices.
• Lead the design and fielding of complex experimental systems, setting technical direction for hardware design, diagnostics, and test approach.
• Represent the organization as the primary technical contact on tasks and projects, serve as the hub for communication between stakeholders and lead system design and test execution meetings.
• Monitor or direct activities of technical staff as lead of a technical project; coordinate multidisciplinary contributors, resolving subsystem and organizational interface issues through guidance and technical direction.
• Establish comprehensive test and lifecycle plans at the component, subsystem, and system level.
• Provide guidance and/or formal mentoring to less experienced team members.
• Serve on internal technical/advisory committees and may serve on external committees.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Comprehensive experience in mechanical design of hardware, including 3D CAD modeling, preparation of engineering drawings, material selection, and design for fabrication and assembly.
• Comprehensive experience designing, building, and testing experimental hardware, including selection, installation, and checkout of instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge of testing practices and data processing, and operational experience with engineering testing processes, including developing and releasing test plans and test reports.
• Knowledge of and experience with systems engineering principles, including requirements development, design reviews, and systems engineering documentation.
• Experience with project tracking and management, including maintaining project schedules, tracking and managing risks, and communicating scope, schedule, and budget variances to leadership.
• Experience coordinating the work of a multidisciplinary team, including designers, technicians, and coordinators.
• Ability to use independent judgment in determining methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria.
• Comprehensive verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information
• Ability to travel.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Advanced knowledge of systems engineering principles and of hardware design, fabrication, or testing processes.
• Significant experience leading the design, fabrication, and fielding of experimental hardware from concept through data delivery.
• Experience preparing and conducting technical, design, and project reviews, as well as performing and completing the subsequent documentation, tracking, and reporting of action items.
• Experience organizing, directing, and monitoring schedules and budgets for multiple concurrent projects and the ability to reprioritize and recommend technical priorities and resource adjustments in response to emergent project needs.
• Significant experience leading the activities of other personnel.
• 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.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master's degree in Engineering or related field.
• Active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.
• Knowledge and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: vibration and shock measurements, experimental modal and dynamic analysis, optical velocimetry such as PDV, general instrumentation (accelerometers, strain gages, thermocouples, RTDs, thin-film heaters, pressure sensors, etc.), and data acquisition theory.
• Experience designing hardware for high-cleanliness, vacuum, or laser facility environments.
• Experience designing with, analyzing, or testing composite materials.
• Experience using standard project management and risk management practices.
• Ability to interpret specifications and mechanical drawings including Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience working in an environment with stringent safety and security policies.
• Experience working with or around radioactive materials, or in complex regulatory environments.
• Experience working in the NNSA's nuclear weapons program.

Pay Range

$146,340 - $222,564 Annually
$146,340 - $185,544 Annually for the SES.2 level
$175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 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.

Additional Information

#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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