Mechanical Engineer Generalist

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 Laboratorys mission.

Pay Range

$117,180 - $178,392 Annually

$117,180 - $148,608 Annually for the SES.1 level

$140,700 - $178,392 Annually for the SES.2 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 employees 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.

We have multiple openings for Generalist Mechanical Engineers . This work will take place within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate, home to the worlds most energetic laser. It is an exciting time to join the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022, a historic moment in science, opening up new physics regimes and setting the stage for new fusion energy possibilities.

You will work on projects and provide technical expertise involving electromechanical systems with integrated electrical, optical, and mechanical components, novel laser diagnostics, large-scale laser beam path mechanics, positioners for precision laser components, and laser system support hardware. In addition, you will provide engineering solutions for a variety of projects ranging from development of the next generation laser systems to upgrades to the current systems and will be involved throughout the product development life cycle, starting with concept initiation and requirements gathering and continuing to implementation, testing, and installation of the system. These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.

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.

In this role you will,

• Operate under general direction with limited responsibility, adhere to established procedures, and use fundamental knowledge and standard techniques to solve problems and contribute to project milestone completion.
• Participate in the design and engineering of current and next-generation laser and electromechanical systems, support equipment, and components, by contributing to the development of conceptual designs, and performing supporting analysis in accordance with derived requirements.
• Collaborate and support team members in the detailed design process, component part fabrication, and unit assembly for systems of limited complexity.
• Participate and collaborate with team members in the design and characterization of machine subsystems, prototype testing and diagnostics, assessing tolerance stack-ups, formulating error budgets, and applying measured error compensation systems.
• Participate in the development and execution of test plans for prototype components and systems, and assist in ensuring robust performance and reliability by providing recommendations and solutions to problems of limited complexity.
• Contribute to the analysis for components and participate in providing supporting safety and engineering documentation to ensure compliance with process requirements and operational excellence.
• Present technical findings and participate in engineering design reviews to drive project success.
• Author technical documents and prepare and deliver clear, concise technical presentations.
• Participate in the development and implementation of solutions to commissions, maintenance, and calibration procedures for well-defined subsystems, including providing support in analyzing, summarizing, and presenting data results.
• Collaborate closely with team members to ensure the successful integration and proper functioning of commissioned systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 Level

• Work under limited direction with moderate responsibility, use comprehensive knowledge, and exercise independent judgment to determine methods and recommend improvements within established frameworks and contribute to the fulfillment of project and organizational goals.
• Contribute to the scope, schedule, budget, and quality of moderately complex to complex engineering work and provide regular updates to management to ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Provide solutions to develop advanced capabilities, leveraging comprehensive knowledge of systems engineering processes.
• Use independent judgement to determine methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to contribute to the design of detailed hardware and the function of commissioning instrumentation and tooling.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Fundamental knowledge of and experience with the design, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of systems of limited complexity.
• Fundamental knowledge of common data analysis techniques, statistics, and/or systems engineering.
• Operational experience with, and fundamental knowledge of machine structural design, assembly, or control design processes.
• Foundational understanding of design principles and their practical application.
• Experience with process engineering and workflow optimization.
• Experience using standard project management practices to drive project success.
• Experience participating with multidisciplinary teams to solve technical problems of limited complexity, while working under general direction.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and present and explain technical information.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 Level

• Comprehensive knowledge of moderately complex to complex precision hardware and mechanical system design.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience with design, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of mechanical systems.
• Broad experience applying systems engineering processes to mechanical design and testing.
• Broad experience in identifying, defining, and solving moderately complex to complex multi-disciplinary problems in a timely, cost-effective manner.
• Proficiency and broad experience participating as an active member of design review processes, and/or informally mentoring others in areas of technical specialty.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in determining optimal techniques, methods, and evaluation criteria for answering questions, interacting with management, and providing input on technical issues for specific projects.

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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

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.

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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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