Computational Mechanics Engineer/Analyst

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 looking for individuals that demonstrate an understanding of working in partnership with team peers, who engage, advocate, and contribute to building an inclusive culture, and provide expertise to solve challenging problems.
Pay Range: $132,810- $204,636 annually
$132,810 - $170,556 annually for the SES.2 level
$159,330 - $204,636 annually for the SES.3 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.
Job Description
We have multiple openings for Computational Mechanics Engineer / Analysts. This work will take place within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate, 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 support fundamental research and design efforts of mechanical, optomechanical, and electromechanical systems using non-linear and multi-physics analytical codes and tools within NIF&PS. Many of these codes and tools were developed at LLNL and your efforts will include interactions with a larger community of analysts for code development and peer review. Your efforts will support a variety of internal and external teams in support of national security and NIF missions. You will support the Target Area Diagnostics Engineering and Science, Target Fabrication, and other NIF teams from the Integrated Engineering Section of the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.
These positions will be filled at either level depending on your qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.
In this role, you will

• Perform finite element modeling and simulation to analyze moderately complex to complex mechanical systems subject to nonlinear, high-rate loading with emphasis on state-of-the art computational techniques and constitutive behavior to evaluate the post-failure response of materials and structures.
• Collaborate with product design team to gather and develop requirements for analytical evaluations regarding design and performance.
• Utilize programming and/or scripting languages to manipulate moderately complex to complex data for further analysis.
• Perform verification analyses to check computational methods against analytical solutions and verify that methods converge and participate in peer review processes.
• Prepare reports and presentations to document methods and implementation, sharing relevant knowledge, analysis and recommendations with team members.
• Work independently, under limited direction to effectively address concurrent technical tasks with competing priorities in a multi-disciplinary team environment including important commitments and deadlines.
• Review technical and scientific progress to ensure that defined goals and objectives are being met.
• Participate and collaborate in training, briefings, or other program-related events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

In Addition, at the SES.3 Level

• Establish technical objectives and criteria to satisfy complex project objectives and successfully execute the appropriate technical approaches evaluating factors that may not be well defined.
• Guide the successful completion of project and organizational goals and serve as the primary technical contact on tasks and projects.
• Collaborate with technical area leaders, project leaders, and program management to represent complex technical capabilities and project results to internal management and external sponsors, including participating and collaborating at meetings with sponsors, other DOE Laboratories, and U.S. government agencies.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, structural engineering, structural/applied mechanics or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and previous relevant experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge and relevant experience in computational structural mechanics, material damage and failure mechanisms, high-rate system dynamics, as well as thermo-mechanical response of systems.
• Experience integrating with product design team to develop requirements and work scope for moderately complex to complex analytical evaluations that impact design and performance considerations.
• Experience using relevant finite element modeling and simulation tools and analytical models for engineering problem solving, with an emphasis on nonlinear, high-strain rate dynamic analysis and building large geometrically complex models including verification and validation of results.
• Experience using programming or scripting languages to manipulate data and text to help facilitate technical evaluations and simulations.
• Experience documenting research results in formal reports and presentations.
• Proficient verbal and written communication and problem-solving skills necessary to participate in multi-disciplinary and multi-organization teams and to interact with management and customers on a variety of technical issues related to the analytical predictions.

In Addition, at the SES.3 Level

• Advanced knowledge and significant experience in computational structural mechanics, material failure, dynamics, thermo-mechanical response of systems.
• Advanced knowledge of state-of-the-art modeling and simulation capabilities.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills needed to effectively act as the main point of contact guiding projects through successful completion, preparing, presenting, and providing advice to management.

Qualifications We Desire

• PhD in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, structural engineering, structural/applied mechanics, or related field.
• Knowledge of advanced constitutive models for metals, composites, and advanced materials as well as computational processes for interactions of directed energy on materials.

Additional Information
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.
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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.
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