Mechanical Engineering 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 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
$110,700 - $170,556 Annually
$110,700 - $142,128 Annually for the SES.1 level
$132,810 - $170,556 Annually for the SES.2 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 Mechanical Engineering Analystssupporting LLNL stockpile programs. You will help the analysis team support engineering design, testing, and certification of our nation’s nuclear weapon systems using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and some of the world’s largest computers. You will develop computational models, using in-house codes, to conduct engineering analysis of full weapon systems and components subjected to thermal, quasi-static, dynamic, and hydrodynamic environments. Your work will help guide design and test engineers in the development of critical hardware and inform tests. You will also perform research and development in advanced simulation capabilities and workflows including constitutive modeling, pre- and post-processing, Simulation Process and Data Management (SPDM), Verification, Validation and Uncertainty Quantification (VVUQ), and workflow automation. These positions are in the Weapon Analysis and Methods (WAM) section in the Computational Engineering Division (CED), within the Engineering Directorate.
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.
You will

• Contribute to the development of finite element models of mechanical systems and components.
• Perform engineering analysis using finite element models and other techniques in support of stakeholders in design, modification, optimization, testing, and certification of the nuclear weapon systems under general direction.
• Document and present (as appropriate) simulation and analysis results and technical approaches.
• Work with teams of analysts, code developers, engineers, and subject matter experts using established workflows, standards, and verification/validation best practices to solve technical problems under general direction.
• Support deliverables with occasional travel as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level

• Perform engineering analysis of nuclear weapon systems under limited direction and provide technical insight into stakeholder challenges.
• Work independently and with teams using established workflows, standards, and verification/validation best practices to solve moderately complex technical problems under limited direction.
• Participate in formal and informal design reviews as required.
• Contribute to the development of engineering analysis capability enhancements to achieve project deliverables.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Civil Engineering, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Effective communication and organizational skills necessary to perform duties.
• Fundamental experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and associated engineering analysis techniques, including using a programming language for complex data analysis and using CAD software such as SolidWorks or PTC Creo.
• Fundamental knowledge of elasticity, plasticity, failure, and heat transfer in engineering materials/structures.
• Fundamental knowledge of materials science, engineering material performance, and properties of materials.
• Fundamental knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Mechanical behavior of materials
  • Structural mechanics
  • Failure mechanics
  • Dynamics
  • Modal response
  • Heat transfer
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Thermo-mechanical response of engineering systems
• Ability to work independently with general direction and as part of a team within the assigned project group.
• Ability to travel.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Master’s degree in Mechanical or Civil Engineering, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Proficient communication and organizational skills necessary to perform duties and specific experience performing static structural, thermal, thermal-mechanical, dynamic, or hydrodynamic analysis through FEA or fluids-based analysis in CFD.
• Comprehensive knowledge in one or more areas (mechanical behavior of materials, structural mechanics, failure mechanics, dynamics, modal response, heat transfer, hydrodynamics, or thermos-mechanical response) and the ability to work independently (with limited direction) as well as part of a team across multiple organizations at the Laboratory.
• Comprehensive understanding of associated analytical models used in Mechanical Engineering problem solving, experience developing solutions to moderately complex technical challenges to enable forward progress, and comprehensive knowledge of elasticity, plasticity, failure, heat transfer, material science, engineering material performance, and properties of materials.

Qualifications We Desire

• Fundamental understanding of associated analytical model used in Mechanical Engineering problem solving and relevant programming experience in Python, Java, C, Fortran, Perl, and/or MATLAB.
• Experience using meshing software to develop high quality hexahedral based meshes.
• Experience with commercial FEA codes such as Abaqus, Ansys, LS-Dyna, Nastran, CTH, or similar; or with NNSA national laboratory codes such as ParaDyn, Nike3D, Dyna3D, Diablo, Sierra, ALE3D, or similar.
• Theoretical background and ability to calibrate/select material models based on test data, experience with experimental techniques, and verification/validation practices.

Additional Information
#LI-Hybrid
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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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.
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