Today
DoE Q or L
USD 202,500.00 - 256,824.00 per year
Unspecified
Livermore, CA (On-Site/Office)
Company Description
Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!
Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States' security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.
We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory's mission.
Pay Range
$202,500 - $256,824 Yearly at 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.
Job Description
We have an opening for a Computational Scientist to perform advanced research and development of finite element (FEM) meshing, discretization and solver algorithms, including automatic differentiation (AD) for differentiable simulations, in support of high-performance computing (HPC) applications based on the MFEM finite element library. Of particular interest is the development of novel algorithms that impact a wide range of large-scale applications in the Department of Energy (DOE) that are based on partial differential equations (PDEs) and run on large GPU systems like LLNL's El Capitan. This position will be part of the MFEM team in the Numerical Analysis & Simulations Group of the Center for Applied Scientific Computing (CASC) Division within LLNL's Computing Directorate.
Essential Duties
Qualifications
Desired Qualifications
Additional Information
#LI-Hybrid
Position Information
This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.
Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?
Security Clearance
None required. However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process. This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check. (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.)
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 3112, generally prohibits citizens of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea without dual US citizenship or legal permanent residence from accessing specific non-public areas of national security or nuclear weapons facilities. The restrictions of NDAA Section 3112 apply to this position. To be qualified for this position, Candidates must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112.
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 .
Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!
Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States' security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.
We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory's mission.
Pay Range
$202,500 - $256,824 Yearly at 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.
Job Description
We have an opening for a Computational Scientist to perform advanced research and development of finite element (FEM) meshing, discretization and solver algorithms, including automatic differentiation (AD) for differentiable simulations, in support of high-performance computing (HPC) applications based on the MFEM finite element library. Of particular interest is the development of novel algorithms that impact a wide range of large-scale applications in the Department of Energy (DOE) that are based on partial differential equations (PDEs) and run on large GPU systems like LLNL's El Capitan. This position will be part of the MFEM team in the Numerical Analysis & Simulations Group of the Center for Applied Scientific Computing (CASC) Division within LLNL's Computing Directorate.
Essential Duties
- Develop new numerical algorithms for PDEs to support efficient and scalable finite element simulation capabilities and applications for a diverse user community.
- Implement and test the new methods in the MFEM finite element library, targeting flexible user interface, parallel scalability, and GPU efficiency.
- As a technical expert on a multi-disciplinary team, collaborate with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally to accomplish research goals.
- Serve as the primary technical contact on specific projects. Provide guidance and support to users of the simulation tools developed.
- Provide solutions to complex problems that require in-depth analysis of multiple factors and the creative use of established methods; prioritize many complex parallel tasks.
- Direct troubleshooting activities, coordinating with other team members and various technical staff in multiple organizations to research and determine root cause of issues.
- Represent CASC in advanced computing with vendors, customers, and academia.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Computational Science, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Significant experience with finite element discretizations, including high-order methods, matrix-free discretizations and solvers and high-order mesh adaptivity.
- Significant experience programming in C/C++ in a Linux environment utilizing MPI parallelism and GPU acceleration with CUDA or HIP.
- Ability to work independently while effectively managing concurrent technical tasks with competing priorities.
- Ability to lead proposals or lead research areas while effectively managing concurrent technical tasks with competing priorities.
- Expert analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills to develop creative solutions to complex problems.
- Expert verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively collaborate with internal and external teams to present and explain technical information and advise senior management and external sponsors.
Desired Qualifications
- Significant familiarity with the MFEM library and some of its applications.
- Significant experience in applying numerical methods within a complex scientific application.
- Knowledge of automatic differentiation techniques and tools like Enzyme.
- Experience with ALE radiation-hydrodynamics algorithms or similar physics.
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 2025 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
None required. However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process. This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check. (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.)
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 3112, generally prohibits citizens of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea without dual US citizenship or legal permanent residence from accessing specific non-public areas of national security or nuclear weapons facilities. The restrictions of NDAA Section 3112 apply to this position. To be qualified for this position, Candidates must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112.
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 .
group id: LLNL
