Lead Quality Engineer - Active Security Clearance Required

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 Laboratory's mission.

Pay Range

$160,890 - $244,752 Annually

$160,890 - $204,036 Annually for the TSL.3 level

$193,020 - $244,752 Annually for the TSL.4 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.

We have an opening for a Lead Quality Engineer to provide programmatic leadership within the Weapon Technologies and Engineering Program. The successful candidate will lead programmatic quality initiatives for new and on-going activities in support of the weapon system surveillance and production operations. This position is in the Weapon Production Group (WPG) in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division within the Engineering Directorate.

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 one or more days per week.

This position will be filled at eitherlevel 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

• Act as the primary quality interface between LLNL and assigned production agencies to establish enhanced and agile interactions, including overarching quality application and practices for product realization.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with quality organizations across the nuclear enterprise, including representing the organization as the technical resource on related tasks and projects.
• Foster and uphold the program's mission, vision, and values through programmatic leadership of the quality team personnel and a broad scope of work and related activities.
• Assign work and remain cognizant of the technical goals, solution approaches, and progress of all projects within the group, while also contributing to programmatic deliverables as an individual team member.
• Lead development and training of technical guidance on WTE processes, NAP 401.1 and DPBPS requirements for engineering, scientific, and technical staff at Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) Design and Production Agency locations.
• In coordination with the WPG Lead, identify and implement process improvements for achieving increased efficiency and compliance across the WTE program.
• Coordinate with leadership to develop long term initiatives and development plans that provide solutions to complex issues/problems requiring in-depth analysis and ingenuity.
• Identify, track, and address deviation from key quality performance metrics across the WTE program, including monitoring performance required to meet programmatic milestones and deliverables, and leading corrective actions where necessary.
• Communicate with stakeholders and leadership to report on project progress both internally and externally as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the TSL.4 level

• Support WTE senior management in setting direction for quality implementation and supporting strategic engagements across the program using independent judgment and considerable latitude to establish and accomplish objectives.
• Assess, communicate, and resolve a diverse range of highly complex problems and/or impacts from changes to federal requirements, institutional requirements, and production agency processes.
• Provide quality subject matter expertise and expert-level support to engineers/scientists in solving highly complex technical problems for various projects within the WTE Program.
• Lead, develop, and implement advancements in applicable cutting-edge capabilities, technologies, and programs.
• Determine, identify, implement, and monitor corrective actions both internally to LLNL and at partnering Pas, pursuing courses of action essential to obtaining desired outcomes.
• Proactively address emergent and systemic quality issues between LLNL and production agencies, exerting influence as necessary.
• Provide mentorship to staff across the organization

• This position requires an 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.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field; or the equivalent combination of education and significant related experience.
• Advanced level knowledge of Weapon or Weapon Related design, materials, fabrication, assembly, product realization process, production drawings or engineering authorizations.
• Experience with proven ability to lead, mentor, coordinate, and oversee teams in executing programmatic goals across organizational lines to meet project requirements with confined schedules and budgets.
• Advanced level verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical or operational information and provide advice to management, regulators, reviewers, and stakeholders.
• Significant experience with the application of quality standards into business and production operations.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgement and coordinate across technical teams, clearly articulating, interpreting, and ensuring design documentation meets established requirements.
• Advanced level knowledge of QA/QC documentation practices, engineering drafting policies, and standards including ASME Y14.5M Dimensioning and Tolerancing concepts.
• Ability to travel up to 35% to meet programmatic milestones.

Additional qualifications at the TSL.4 level

• Subject matter expert knowledge of NNSA Weapon Quality Policy (NAP-401.1A), Defense Programs Business Process System (DPBPS), or Engineering Authorizations.
• Significant experience with advanced fabrication and assembly techniques directly applicable to material, components, systems, and equipment.
• Proven ability to manage parallel tasks requiring the resolution of conflicting work requirements and prioritization of tasks toward predetermined long-range targets.
• Significant experience developing and realizing conceptual designs of mechanical/electronic systems, testing prototypes and associated diagnostics, and with CAD/computer design packages.
• Expert level communication, facilitation, collaboration, and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively lead a team, influence, and advise senior management.

Qualifications We Desire

• Knowledge of materials, equipment, or technologies associated with production of mechanical hardware, electronics, additive manufacturing, and/or high explosives.
• Knowledge and experience in nuclear weapons program stockpile systems, components, classified materials, experimental data, and related diagnostic and testing equipment.
• Experience in a production environment utilizing robust product acceptance practices.
• Knowledge of Windchill, CREO, and Altium

#LI-Hybrid

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!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our core beliefs - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire.

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 useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate 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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