Senior Aerospace Engineer

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

$159,330 - $245,544

$159,330 - $204,636 Annually for the SES.3 level

$191,220 - $245,544 Annually for the SES.4 level

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

We have an opening for a SeniorAerospace Engineer in support of hypersonics and reentry programs. Activities include modeling and simulation of hypersonic re-entry bodies, early feasibility studies, flight testing, and software development. You will develop engineering solutions for aerodynamics and aerothermal analysis in support of these programs, from systems requirements trade studies through algorithm design and hardware integration, including test data analyses. This position is 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 hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role you will

• Provide Aerospace Engineering support for the enduring and future weapons stockpile (both conventional and nuclear) through aerodynamic, aerothermal/ablation, and/or trajectory analyses; associated post-processing; and presentation/documentation of results.
• Develop computational models, conduct analyses, and perform research and development in advanced simulation capabilities, using state of the art computational techniques that leverage high performance supercomputers.
• Contribute to and/or lead the development of models of weapon systems (especially aerothermodynamic modeling), through geometry and mesh creation, selection or development of appropriate material models and properties, and determination of relevant flight conditions. Report technical approaches and publish as appropriate, and mentor less senior staff analysts.
• Independently develop and implement analysis workflow and quality practices, including workflow optimization, process standardization, configuration management of analysis files and software, and verification and validation (V&V) of models.
• Leverage analysis to support or guide design, testing, modification, and optimization of mechanical components and systems. Participate in formal design reviews and informal peer reviews as required.
• Work independently, in consultation, and in teams with other analysts, code developers, engineers, and subject matter experts to solve complex technical problems using in-depth analysis and/or creative and innovative methods.
• Support programmatic deliverables with occasional travel, as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level

• Serve as a subject matter expert by providing strategic technical advice on highly complex problems and work to internal management and/or external sponsors, and representing the Laboratory on external scientific or technical committees.
• Set broad project vision and strategy by developing new ideas and/or modifying an approach, and influence technical direction and decisions made by self, team, management and/or external customers.
• Leverage engineering design expertise; fabrication and assembly, systems engineering; surveillance of aging components; engineering analysis and computational simulation and/or engineering testing.

   

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• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of flight dynamics, aerothermodynamics, heat transfer, and ablation in reentry environments.
• Significant experience with trajectory modeling software such as: GPOPS-II, OTIS, POST, TAOS, or similar. Significant experience with one or more of the following aerothermal response codes: FIAT, ATAC, CMA, or similar.
• Significant experience with hypersonic computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, including pre- and post-processing utilities, such as Pointwise, Ansys, Cart3D, US3D, Tecplot, Paraview, or similar.
• Advanced knowledge in the development of relevant principles, theories, concepts, and techniques in the solution of complex engineering problems.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in determining optimal techniques, methods, and evaluation criteria for answering engineering questions.
• Experience participating in formal and informal design reviews.
• Advanced organizational, verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with a multidisciplinary research team, author technical and scientific reports and papers, document analyses, and deliver technical presentations.
• Ability to travel.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

• Significant experience and ability in developing solutions and innovative methods that require in-depth analysis of multiple tangible and intangible factors.
• Ability to lead teams and direct technical projects.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to present, explain, and advise senior management and/or external sponsors and significant experience in interacting with both internal and external stakeholders and decision makers.

Qualifications We Desire

• PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Significant experience in one or more of the following areas: uncertainty quantification; statistics; mechanical design codes such as ProE/Creo; finite element analysis codes (i.e. ABAQUS, ANSYS, LSDYNA, etc.); nuclear weapon system mechanical design details and materials; and/or technical management or business development.
• Strong programming experience, especially in Python, Java, C, Fortran, Perl, and/or Matlab.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2024 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.

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.

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. 

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.