Mechanical Engineer – Generalist

We have multiple openings for Generalist Mechanical Engineers. This work supports National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) / Light Matter and Fusion (LMF) projects, home to the world’s most energetic laser. It is an exciting time to join the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022, a historic moment in science, opening up new physics regimes and setting the stage for new fusion energy possibilities.
You will work on projects and provide technical expertise involving electromechanical systems with integrated electrical, optical, and mechanical components, novel laser diagnostics, large-scale laser beam path mechanics, positioners for precision laser components, and laser system support hardware. In addition, you will provide engineering solutions for a variety of projects ranging from development of the next generation laser systems to upgrades to the current systems and will be involved throughout the product development life cycle, starting with concept initiation and requirements gathering and continuing to implementation, testing, and installation of the system. These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.
This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.
These positions 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,
Operate under general direction with limited responsibility, adhere to established procedures, and use fundamental knowledge and standard techniques to solve problems and contribute to project milestone completion.
Participate in the design and engineering of current and next-generation laser and electromechanical systems, as well as supporting equipment and components, by contributing to the development of conceptual designs and performing supporting analysis in accordance with derived requirements.
Collaborate and support team members in the detailed design process, component part fabrication, and unit assembly for systems of limited complexity.
Participate and collaborate with team members in the design and characterization of machine subsystems, including prototype testing and diagnostics, assessing tolerance stack-ups, formulating error budgets, and applying measured error compensation systems.
Participate in the development and execution of test plans for prototype components and systems, ensuring robust performance and reliability by providing recommendations and solutions to problems of limited complexity.
Contribute to the analysis for components and participate in providing supporting safety and engineering documentation to ensure compliance with process requirements and operational excellence.
Present technical findings and participate in engineering design reviews to drive project success.
Prepare technical documents and author clear, concise technical presentations.
Participate in the development and implementation of solutions for commissioning, maintenance, and calibration procedures for well-defined subsystems, including analyzing, summarizing, and presenting data results.
Contribute to the development of detailed plans, schedules, and budgets for project activities under general direction to support efficient project execution.
Collaborate closely with team members to ensure the successful integration and proper functioning of commissioned systems.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level
Work under limited direction with moderate responsibility, use comprehensive knowledge, and exercise independent judgment to determine methods and recommend improvements within established frameworks and contribute to the fulfillment of project and organizational goals.
Contribute to the scope, schedule, budget, and quality of moderately complex to complex engineering work and provide regular updates to management to ensure alignment with project objectives.
Provide solutions to moderately complex engineering problems and contribute to the development of enhanced system capabilities, leveraging comprehensive knowledge of systems engineering processes.
Independently determine methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for contributing to the hardware design and function of commissioning instrumentation and tooling under limited direction.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Fundamental knowledge of and experience with the design, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of limited complexity systems.
Fundamental knowledge of common data analysis techniques, statistics, and/or systems engineering.
Basic operational experience with, and fundamental knowledge of machine structural design, assembly, or control design processes.
Foundational understanding of design principles and their practical application.
Experience applying established process engineering and workflow optimization.
Experience using standard project management practices to drive project success.
Experience participating with multidisciplinary teams to solve technical problems of limited complexity, while working under general direction.
Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and present and explain technical information.
Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level
Comprehensive knowledge of moderately complex to complex precision hardware and mechanical system design.
Comprehensive knowledge of and experience with design, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of mechanical systems.
Broad experience applying systems engineering processes to mechanical design and testing.
Broad experience in identifying, defining, and solving moderately complex to complex multi-disciplinary problems in a timely, cost-effective manner.
Proficiency and broad experience participating as an active member of design review processes, and/or informally mentoring others in areas of technical specialty.
Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in determining optimal techniques, methods, and evaluation criteria for addressing assigned technical problems, interacting with management, and providing input on technical issues for specific projects.
Pay Range
$121,830 - $185,544 Annually
$121,830 - $154,500 Annually for the SES.1 level
$146,340 - $185,544 Annually for the SES.2 level
This is the lowest to highest salary in good faith 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.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
No