Laser Engineer

Job Description

We have an opening for a Laser Engineer to participate in the research and development of laser systems for isotope separation.  These systems require a range of lasers – solid state and other – with important challenges in bandwidth, wavefront, timing, and alignment control.  You will team with members of LLNL’s laser and separation teams to design, develop, and deploy lasers in support of a range of DOE and DOD missions, including Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation (AVLIS) to support the DOE Isotope Program.   This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations Division (LSEO) within the Engineering directorate.

• Work under limited direction with moderate responsibility, use comprehensive knowledge, and exercise independent judgment to determine methods and recommend improvements within established frameworks and contribute to the fulfillment of project and organizational goals.
• Plan and execute laboratory experiments with a primary emphasis on scaling the average power, pulse energy, and transport and delivery of LIS laser and optical systems.
• Perform independent work on a team with LLNL scientists to design, build, and test diagnostic and control systems for lasers and sensors.
• Collaborate and provide scientific and technical guidance in close coordination with an engineering team as required to construct a laser system that will support the production of useful quantities of enriched isotopes.
• Work within a dynamic team, including senior and junior scientists and engineers, to coordinate resources, plan experimental campaigns, document research, may perform training/mentorship, provide deliverables, publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results at scientific conferences.
• Specify and procure specialty laboratory equipment and supplies.
• Adhere to strict laboratory safety requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.3 level

• Function independently with minimal direction, taking significant responsibility and using advanced knowledge and judgment to establish objectives, prioritize parallel tasks, allocate resources, and collaborate in the development of innovative methods/technology to guide the completion of projects and contribute to the development of organizational goals.
• Lead technical efforts with responsibility for budgets, schedules, deliverables, and resource allocation.
• Define and prioritize tasks to ensure that programmatic objectives are met in a timely and efficient manner.
• Use technical knowledge to contribute to the development of new program opportunities, including the definition and development of research proposals and interaction with potential sponsors and customers under minimal direction.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and prior relevant experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience performing experiments with optics, lasers, and laser science.
• Experience planning experimental campaigns for scientific conferences.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Effective proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with a multi-disciplinary research team, author technical and scientific reports, publications, papers, and presentations.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• 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.
• Significant experience working independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team, and ability to lead advanced research and development activities.
• Advanced experience performing experiments with optics, lasers, and laser science.

Qualifications we desire

• Experience with laser sources, with emphasis on high average-power pulsed lasers.
• Experience in engineering or physics laboratories, including data acquisition and control system development/utilization.
• Familiarity with state-of-the-art laser technologies such as solid-state fiber-based lasers

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-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 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.

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.