Nuclear Facility Structural 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 an opening for a nuclear facility structural system engineer to provide engineering expertise to ensure continued operational readiness of DOE Hazard Category 2 and 3 nuclear facility building structures by: maintaining overall cognizance of the integrity of Hazard Category 2 and 3 assigned systems; providing system engineering support for Operations and Maintenance activities, such as facility modifications and equipment installations; and, technical support of facility management safety responsibilities. You will often be involved in supporting significant research and development (R&D) projects, applying your expertise and creating innovative solutions. This position will report programmatically to the Superblock and administratively to the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) within the Engineering Directorate.

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes flexibility to work from home up to one day per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options, may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

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

• Under limited direction, monitor the integrity and configuration of building structures to anticipate the need for maintenance, repair, or replacement of components due to aging and degradation.
• Prepare system logs, surveillance reports, and detailed assessment reports and brief facility management on the results.
• Identify, monitor, and provide recommendations for the timely procurement and assurance of adequate inventory of spare parts and materials.
• Utilize comprehensive technical engineering skills and experience to provide engineering support for sustainment, repair, and modification of safety structures, systems, and components.
• Support significant R&D projects by applying comprehensive level knowledge, skills, and innovation to create solutions that are safe and compliant with DOE orders and specifications.
• Develop and implement solutions and approaches for issues of moderate complexity in support of facility operations and maintenance using independent engineering judgment, in determining methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria, in-depth analysis, ingenuity, and creativity.
• Identify and assess the potential impacts to assigned structures, systems, components from new construction, modifications, and repairs related to other systems, such as HVAC upgrades or building structures renovations.
• Under limited direction, develop and perform technical reviews of facility related procedures, work instructions, and proposed modifications to ensure compliance with technical criteria, technical adequacy, and feasibility of implementation.
• Under limited direction, prepare and review design calculations, drawings, and other documents.
• Conduct reviews and provide technical input and advice to mid-level internal management, customers, and colleagues on moderately complex system related design, operation, and maintenance issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.3 level

• Independently with minimal direction, monitor the integrity and configuration of building structures to anticipate the need for maintenance, repair, or replacement of components due to aging and degradation.
• Using advanced knowledge, identify, monitor, and provide recommendations for the timely procurement and assurance of adequate inventory of spare parts and materials.
• Utilize advanced knowledge of technical engineering skills and experience with complex engineering systems to provide engineering technical support for sustainment, repair, and modification of safety structures, systems, and components.
• Support significant R&D projects by applying advanced knowledge, skills, and innovation to create solutions that are safe and compliant with DOE orders and specifications.
• Develop and implement solutions and approaches for complex problems and issues in support of facility operations and maintenance using independent engineering judgment, in determining methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria, in-depth analysis, ingenuity, and creativity.
• Independently with minimal direction, develop and perform technical reviews of facility related procedures, work instructions, and proposed modifications to ensure compliance with technical criteria, technical adequacy, and feasibility of implementation.
• Independently with minimal direction, prepare and review design calculations, drawings, and other documents.
• Conduct reviews and provide technical input and advice to mid-level internal management, customers, and colleagues on complex system related design, operation, and maintenance issues.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in civil or structural engineering or equivalent level of education and related technical experience.
• Comprehensive level knowledge of engineering standards and practices, such as ASCE, ACI, AISC, etc. related to structural engineering.
• Broad experience with and comprehensive level knowledge and skills in the design, modification, and evaluation of building structures or facilities.
• Proficiency in developing or reviewing calculations, specifications, drawings, or sketches; determining design criteria for modifications, renovations, and upgrades on small projects and on occasional larger projects.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively interact and collaborate in a team environment, including the ability to identify, develop and effectively communicate recommendations to facility and senior management regarding facility and safety equipment modifications.
• Demonstrated proficiency and experience effectively developing work process documents or safety documentation.
• Broad experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment which includes scientists, engineers, and technicians.
• Broad experience delivering work products on budget and schedule, often with multiple moderately complex parallel tasks that require the resolution of conflicting work requirements and prioritization of tasks toward predetermined long-range targets.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Previous experience with building structures and industry code compliance, including Department of Energy requirements for nuclear facilities.
• Advanced level knowledge of structural engineering standards and practices, such as ASCE, ACI, AISC, etc.
• Significant experience with and advanced level knowledge and skills in the design, modification, and evaluation of buildings and facilities.
• Advanced knowledge of and significant experience in developing or reviewing calculations, specifications, drawings, and sketches; determining design criteria for modifications, renovations, and upgrades on small projects and on occasional larger projects.
• Significant experience with and ability to successfully lead and motivate a team in achieving project objectives which include solving highly complex problems, defining and verifying requirements and resources, and applying project management expertise.
• Advanced communication, facilitation, and collaboration, interpersonal, and negotiation skills necessary to effectively present, explain, provide strategic technical advice, build consensus, and influence senior management, external sponsors, regulators, reviewers, and stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in civil (structural emphasis) or structural engineering or related field.
• Professional Engineering license in Civil or Structural Engineering in California or reciprocity from another state within twelve months.
• Significant experience working with structures, systems, and components in a nuclear environment.
• Experience with concrete and/or steel structures, systems, and components in regions of high seismic demands.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, Creo).
• Significant experience preparing project estimates.

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 in good faith 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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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.

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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 requiredSecurity Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)Position Type: Career Indefinite