Senior Mechanical Engineering Analyst for Weapon System Demonstrators

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

$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.

We have an opening for a Senior Mechanical Engineering Analyst to support the Weapon System Demonstrators Program. In this role, you will apply your expertise in engineering design, computational modeling, and advanced simulation techniques to contribute to the development, testing, and optimization of mechanical systems and components. You will leverage high-performance supercomputers and integrate digital engineering workflows to drive innovation. This position will be in the Computational Engineering Division (CED), within the Engineering Directorate. 

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role you will 

• Develop finite element models of mechanical systems, including geometry, meshing, material properties, and boundary conditions.
• Conduct structural, thermal, thermo-mechanical, dynamic, hydrodynamic, and multi-physics analyses, including post-processing and documentation of results.
• Optimize workflows and implement quality practices, such as configuration management, verification and validation (V&V), and process standardization.
• Support design, testing, modification, and optimization of mechanical components and systems through in-depth analysis.
• Collaborate with analysts, engineers, code developers, and subject matter experts to solve complex technical challenges, as well as to develop innovative methods and/or technologies.
• Present and explain findings to project stakeholders through technical reports, papers, and presentations.
• Participate in formal design reviews and informal peer reviews as required, developing and delivering solutions to complex engineering challenges and providing technical guidance to team members as needed.
• Fulfill programmatic deliverables by leveraging personal and team expertise to complete complex projects, including ensuring quality standards are met and that tasks are completed on time.
• May mentor and coach junior analysts.
• Occasional travel may be necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level

• Serve as a subject matter expert in highly advanced concepts, providing strategic technical advice to internal senior management and external sponsors.
• Represent LLNL as the primary technical contact on external scientific or technical committees.
• Work independently to establish project vision and strategy influence technical direction and decisions, and drive successful project outcomes.
• Lead and guide teams and direct technical tasks to deliver critical project components, while ensuring alignment with project schedules and budgets.
• Mentor staff within analysis groups and/or project teams.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or relevant technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced level knowledge of elasticity, plasticity, failure, and heat transfer in engineering materials/structures.
• Expertise in materials properties and analytical models for mechanical engineering problem-solving.
• Significant experience with finite element analysis (FEA) and finite element method (FEM) using tools such as ABAQUS, ANSYS, LSDYNA, NASTRAN, CTH, ALE3D, PATRAN, FEMAP, ParaDyn, NIKE3D, DYNA3D, Diablo, Cubit, and HyperMesh.
• Advanced level knowledge of, and significant experience in applying, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques for solving complex engineering problems.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in determining optimal techniques and methods.
• Experience leading and participating in formal and informal design reviews.
• Advanced organizational, verbal, and written communication skills to interact with multidisciplinary teams, author reports, and to deliver presentations.
• Ability to travel.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

• Significant experience developing innovative solutions and methods requiring in-depth analysis of multiple highly complex factors.
• Significant leadership experience in directing technical projects and managing and mentoring multidisciplinary teams.
• Expert communication skills to effectively advise and influence senior management and external sponsors, and to interact with stakeholders and decision-makers.

Qualifications We Desire

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Advanced constitutive models (metals, composites, ceramics, foams, geological materials, polymers).
  • Continuum mechanics and material model development.
  • Energetic materials (e.g., high explosives, propellants).
  • Magneto-hydrodynamics.
  • Transportation safety analysis (impact or fire).
  • Uncertainty quantification and statistics.
  • Mechanical design codes (e.g., ProE/Creo).
  • Fluid analysis codes (e.g., FLUENT, STAR CCM).
  • Nuclear weapon system mechanical design details and materials.
  • Technical management or business development.
• Strong programming skills in Python, Java, C, Fortran, Perl, or MATLAB.

#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!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

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.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

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. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.