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Research Materials Engineer

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Posted today

Job Requirements

Livermore, CA
DoE Q or L Polygraph Unspecified
Career Level not specified
$146,340 - $222,564

Job Description

Company Description

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.

Job Description

We have multiple openings for Research Materials Engineers to work on a variety of projects. You will collaborate with a team of engineers and scientists who process, design, and characterize materials for eventual use in national security applications. Specifically, you will apply analytical methods to study materials with unique properties and/or develop advanced manufacturing techniques. These positions are in the Materials Engineering Division (MED) within the Engineering Directorate.

This position requires significant on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

These positions 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
  • Conduct research and development in one or more of the following areas: materials processing, material modeling, microscale material testing, or materials characterization.
  • Design, implement, and analyze moderately complex techniques in one or more of the areas listed above.
  • Organize, analyze, and present data from research.
  • Contribute to and actively participate in the conception, design, and execution of research to address defined problems.
  • Pursue independent, but complementary, research interests and interact with a broad range of scientists and engineers, both internally and externally to the Laboratory.
  • Collaborate with others in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals.
  • Publish research results in internal reports and peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals, and present results at external conferences, seminars, and/or technical meetings.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level
  • Independently resolve technical objectives and criteria to satisfy project objectives and execute appropriate technical approaches.
  • Apply advanced technical knowledge and methodologies to guide the successful completion of project and organizational goals, serving as the primary technical contact on tasks and projects.
  • Collaborate with technical area leaders, project leaders, and program management to represent technical capabilities and project results to internal management and external sponsors.


Qualifications

  • Ability to obtain and maintain a US DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
  • Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
  • Comprehensive knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: material formulation, additive manufacturing/3D printing, finite element analysis, and material characterization.
  • Demonstrated ability as an innovative experimentalist with a broad range of experience in experimental design, techniques, and execution.
  • Proven ability to develop independent research projects, as evidenced by publications or presentations to a technical audience.
  • Proficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information clearly.
  • Strong initiative and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level
  • Significant experience working effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
  • Experience using standard project management practices and a proven ability to meet schedules and deliverables for multiple concurrent projects with varying priorities.
  • Experience leading project teams, demonstrating proficiency in interpersonal interactions and the ability to solve problems as they arise.

Qualifications We Desire
  • Master's or PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
  • Experience with analytical and computational modeling and simulation, and data analysis.
  • Experience with material characterization and mechanical testing, rheology, or designing material processing systems.
  • Experience with programming languages such as LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, and C/C++.
  • Experience designing CAD and assembling hardware for standard and automated systems, with a skill set in mechatronics and automation.

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. 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 .
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About Us
Since its origins, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has pushed the limits of science, technology, and research in an effort to better understand the world and protect the people in it—but we do so much more than that. To this day, we continue to innovate, collaborate, and explore, backed by the minds of thousands of talented researchers, operations staff, and creative professionals. We are a globally-recognized leader in bioengineering, high-performance computing, environmental research, nuclear science, and more. And none of this research would be possible without our employees across different fields, from skilled labor to engineering. No matter what you do here, you can help change the world. The Lab is located in the heart of the Livermore Valley in the East Bay area of California, close to major metropolitan areas like San Francisco, Oakland, and San José.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Jobs


Clearance Level
DoE Q or L