NIF Lead Operator Technical Associate - Military Veterans

Company Description

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 committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory's mission.

 

Pay Range

 

$120,510 - $147,564 Annually

 

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.

Job Description

We have an opening fora NIF Lead Operator Technical Associates to work in our National Ignition Facility (NIF). NIF is a large-scale, complex, and integrated facility comprised of the world's most powerful and energetic laser. Utilizing a prior technical leadership background, coupled with a high-level of engineering or technical expertise, you will be responsible for establishing scope of work, providing innovative technical expertise, leading laser facility experimental operations, facility and system maintenance, and serving as an operations point of contact to support the National Ignition Facility's (NIF) Shot Operations organization in the NIF & Photon Sciences Directorate. Due to the vast and varying types of experiments, NIF is a 24/7 operational facility and requires shift flexibility. These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.

 

In this role, you will

 

• Lead a diverse technical team responsible for experimental operations, safety, security, and maintenance within NIF, a high-average power/energy laser system.
• Execute laser experiments and ensure facility operations procedures are performed in preparation of shot execution; review experimental data in partnership with the Shot Director to work through outcome of each experiment and plan next steps.
• Independently lead troubleshooting of complex to highly complex technical problems, make technical recommendations for maintenance and repairs, provide oversight, and report results under general direction using independent discretion and judgment.
• Participate in complex to highly complex operations and maintenance strategies including providing efficiency and productivity recommendations to management as well as deconflicting operational team efforts, organizing process flow and maintaining work task schedules.
• Provide innovative technical expertise to scientists, engineers, and high-level technical personnel on a wide variety of laser, optics, power conditioning, alignment, diagnostics, software, and industrial controls platforms.
• Respond to and lead all facility off-normal events, coordinating emergency response integration with appropriate medical and fire first-responders, security and management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in science, electronics, electro-optics, mechanical, or industrial engineering, or related field or equivalent combination of education and extensive prior relevant experience.
• Advanced skills, knowledge, and experience leading operations and maintenance activities in a large-scale, complex, and integrated facility.
• Experience directing and leading personnel performing complex to highly complex facility operations and maintenance activities.
• Ability to make frequent decisions using independent discretion and judgment to provide original solutions for unique and challenging problems, while establishing or modifying guidelines, techniques, and procedures as needed.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary project environment with simultaneous commitments to technical projects from inception through completion.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate, mentor and train in a team environment and present and explain technical information.
• Ability to work alternate work schedules which will include extended shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

 

Qualifications We Desire

 

• Experience in laser electro-optics and/or high average power/energy laser systems.
• Experience in laser and industrial safety in an operations environment.
• Experience interacting with and satisfying customer needs in a highly technical setting.
• Experience mentoring, training, organizing and leading work teams.

Additional Information

#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!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

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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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.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision .

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.

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