Weapon System Engineer

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 Weapon System Engineers to support cross-functional engineering activities in support of the Laboratory’s nuclear weapon stockpile operations mission. Staff will be responsible for supporting warhead component development and production, analyzing system and subsystem performance, assessing and responding to non-conformance conditions, and executing production agency qualification activities on time to meet program milestones and national deterrence requirements. You will work with a multi-disciplinary team to evaluate component, subassembly, and system level designs to meet mission objectives for assured safety, performance, and reliability. These positions are in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), within the Engineering Directorate. DTED provides support for Strategic Deterrence (SD) Programs.

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 up to one day per week.

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.

You will

• Utilize comprehensive engineering knowledge and apply relevant experience and broad technical concepts and techniques to resolve moderate to complex technical and programmatic issues.
• Support system performance modeling, trade studies, failure analysis, uncertainty assessment, and risk management activities.
• Lead engineering test planning, data analysis, functional evaluation, qualification, and verification efforts, including collaboration with team members in analyzing results and writing technical reports.
• Review and support producibility, manufacturability and/or surveillance process issues, and provide solutions to operational problems of varied complexity.
• Participate in formal and informal engineering technical reviews, multi-site meetings, and program reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Lead formal and informal engineering technical reviews, multi-site meetings, and program reviews.
• Provide technical expertise in materials science, mechanical and electromechanical design, solving challenges of significant complexity.
• Establish comprehensive lifecycle plans at the component, subsystem, and system level.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary contributors; resolving subsystem and organizational interface issues through guidance and technical direction.
• Provide guidance and/or formal mentoring to less experienced team members.

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.
• Familiarity and fundamental knowledge of and experience with systems engineering principles and engineering drawings including interpretation of specifications and mechanical drawings with Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Fundamental knowledge of and operational experience with engineering testing processes, and demonstrated ability to conduct data analyses.
• Working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, software, sensors, manufacturing, materials, and test systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate in a multidisciplinary team environment, present and explain technical information.
• Ability to travel.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of hardware design, fabrication or testing processes.
• Advanced knowledge of Systems Engineering principles.
• Experience with system performance modeling, trade studies, failure analysis, uncertainty assessment, and risk management.
• Experience preparing and conducting technical, design, and project reviews, as well as performing and completing the subsequent documentation, tracking, and reporting of action items.

Qualifications We Desire

• 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
• Master’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• Ability to interpret specifications and mechanical drawings including advanced Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and experience performing tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Experience in formal production definition releases, configuration management, and Product Lifecycle Management systems.
• Experience working in the NNSA’s nuclear weapons program. Working knowledge of NNSA’s Defense Programs Business Process Systems.

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

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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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.

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Organization: EngineeringCategory: EngineeringJob Code 2: SES.3 Science & Engineering MTS 3Employee Referral Bonus: Not applicableJob Code 1: SES.2 Science & Engineering MTS 2Pre-Employment Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)Pre-Placement Medical Exam: A job-related pre-placement medical examination may be requiredPosition Type: Career IndefiniteSecurity Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)