Target Diagnostics Engineer

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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

$168,780 - $256,824 Annually

$168,780 - $214,032 Annually for the SES.3 level

$202,500 - $256,824 Annually for the SES.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.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.

We have an opening for a motivated and technically skilled mid-to-senior level Target Diagnostics Engineer to join and support the National Ignition Facility (NIF) Target Diagnostics group. The ideal candidate for this role is someone eager to develop advanced expertise in target diagnostic instrumentation, data analysis, hands-on troubleshooting, and system modeling. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting ongoing operations, driving technical improvements, with support for new and current target diagnostics on NIF. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division within the Engineering Directorate.

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

In this role you will

• Function independently with minimal direction, taking significant responsibility and using advanced knowledge and judgment to establish objectives, prioritize parallel tasks, allocate resources, and collaborate in the development of innovative methods/technology to guide the completion of projects and contribute to the development of organizational goals.
• Provide advanced level technical support for NIF Target Diagnostics System Managers with instrument optimization, design upgrades, data analysis, and applied operational troubleshooting for plasma, x-ray, gamma, neutron, optical, and high-speed electrical systems.
• Develop and implement test procedures, computational algorithms, and experimental setups for testing and calibration of complex diagnostic systems on NIF.
• Conduct comprehensive analysis of target diagnostic experimental shot data using software tools like Python to assess and verify the operational health and performance of systems.
• Provide technical design expertise and analytical support for development projects focused on new diagnostic capabilities.
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex technical problems and contribute to system modeling initiatives.
• Perform signal processing to analyze, filter, and interpret data from sensors and detectors.
• May mentor other less experienced team members.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level

• Operate under consultative direction with substantial authority, using in-depth analysis and subject matter expertise in highly advanced concepts, to resolve a diverse range of highly complex problems, independently determine strategies, modify approaches, and pursue actions that impact organizational operations or directions and achieve long-term goals.
• Develop, implement, and utilize innovative multidisciplinary approaches and technology to lead comprehensive system modeling efforts to predict diagnostic performance that guides the development of novel plasma diagnostic requirements.
• Establish project vision and strategy and influence technical direction to drive successful outcomes for deliverables.
• Provide highly advanced technical guidance and mentorship to technical staff across the target diagnostic engineering and science organizations, fostering their technical development and supporting their growth within the team.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in physics, applied physics, nuclear engineering, electrical engineering, or a relevant technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced level knowledge of and demonstrated practical experience with the application and development of building, testing, and deploying complex diagnostic instrument hardware systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in technical troubleshooting, test plan development, experimental testing, and data analysis.
• Advanced level knowledge of, and experience developing and utilizing programming (esp. Python), particularly for data/image/signal processing analysis and hardware interface control.
• Proficient with electrical diagnostic hardware including oscilloscopes, imaging sensors, and other data acquisition systems.
• Experience with one or more of the following diagnostics: x-ray diagnostics, nuclear diagnostics, optical diagnostics, laser systems, or high-speed diagnostics (steak cameras, photodetectors, gated/framing cameras).
• Experience with hardware control and software automation using Python.
• Advanced level problem-solving skills and a demonstrated hands-on approach to engineering challenges.
• Advanced written and verbal technical communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical reports, deliver presentations, and explain technical information.
• Advanced interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 Level

• Expert-level knowledge and significant applied experience with one more of the following areas: x-ray diagnostics, nuclear diagnostics, optical diagnostics, laser systems, or high-speed diagnostics (steak cameras, photodetectors, gated/framing cameras).
• Significant experience in the development of highly advanced principles, theories, concepts, and techniques relevant to target and experimental diagnostics.
• Expert verbal and written communication skills and experience authoring reports/publications and delivering effective technical presentations, as well as expert facilitation and collaboration skills to effectively influence and advise senior management and external sponsors.

Qualifications We Desire

• Advanced degree, M.S. or Ph.D in physics, applied physics, nuclear engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related technical field and or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Significant experience with High Energy Density diagnostic instrument development for operational experimental facilities such as NIF, Omega, academic laboratories, etc.
• Demonstrated systems engineering and project management experience.

#LI-Onsite

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 values - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet 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 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.

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