Lasers & Alignment Systems Engineering Shift Lead - National Ignition Facility

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 Lasers & Alignment Systems Engineering (LASE) Shift Leads - National Ignition Facility. You will lead scope of work and provide advanced technical support for Power Conditioning System (PCS) / Plasma Electrodes Pockels Cells (PEPC), Beam Control Systems (BCS), Injection Laser Systems (ILS) shot operations and maintenance tasks, serving as the team point of contact to support the National Ignition Facility’s (NIF). When not in the control room, you will also develop, test, troubleshoot, evaluate, operate, and maintain complex experimental, research, and prototype equipment within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate. NIF is a 24/7 operational facility and requires working 12hr shifts, and weekends, may also require working overtime, to accomplish goals; some work will occur in Radiological environments. These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division within the Engineering Directorate.

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

In this role, you will 

• Lead shot and scheduled maintenance activities during the shift; provide oversight and guidance to the team for work execution on NIF and other LASE laboratories
• Prepare and work from instructional procedures to repair, calibrate, operate, and maintain complex equipment and systems.
• Make recommendations for improving operations and maintenance approaches, plans, and procedures.
• Perform maintenance and assist in developing test parameters, troubleshooting, and testing materials, components, or systems, identifying problems, and providing input on solutions to complex problems.
• Identify and analyze data, providing solutions and alternate approaches to complex electronic, high voltage, or photonics problems using individual creativity and judgment, independently, under minimal supervision; prioritize and provide work and technical guidance to others, checking for accuracy, completeness, and function.
• Independently deploy, fabricate, troubleshoot, assemble, and disassemble complex electronic, high voltage, or photonics components and systems, including planning and selecting materials, equipment, and methods with limited direction.
• Ensure Ops and Problem logs generated during shift are complete, accurate, and sent to appropriate personnel.
• Provide status updates to management on maintenance, commissioning, and operations activities performed by the team during the shift.
• Provide advanced Electronics and/or Laser Electro-Optics technical support to scientists, engineers, and high-level technical personnel for laser and power conditioning systems
• Provide training, guidance, mentorship, and leadership for earlier career members.
• Develop, maintain, and improve documentation for the operations team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Associate degree in engineering technology such as electronics or photonics, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Advanced technical skills, knowledge, and experience in electronic and/or photonics assembly, including troubleshooting, installation, and maintenance in a large, multi-beam laser system in areas such as beam alignment, cryogenic operations, laser operations, conventional, or process utilities.
• Advanced technical skills and knowledge of engineering principles to solve complex problems using established guidelines, techniques, and procedures.
• Experience interpreting and troubleshooting work involving fabrication, assembly, calibration, testing, repair, and/or maintenance, making recommendations and/or mentoring others.
• Advanced skills, knowledge, and abilities working with electronic circuits and systems.
• Advanced computer skills and knowledge of office software, including word processing and spreadsheets, necessary to produce supportive documentation.
• Effective written and verbal communication, feedback, and presentation skills, including experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Experience working in a large-scale manufacturing or scientific research facility operations environment.
• Experience applying institutional safety, radiological, electrical, high-voltage, and operational work controls, as applicable.
• Ability to have shift flexibility, including working overtime, shifts, weekends, and/or alternate work schedules as required to respond to facility needs.

Qualifications We Desire

• Qualified NIF PCS/PEPC/BCS/ILS operators.
• Qualified NIF DWTL.

Pay Range

$52.23 - $63.97 Hourly 

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.