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Senior Mechanical Engineering Analyst
Engineering | livermore, CA | 08/29/2023
Job Code: SES.3 Science & Engineering MTS 3 / SES.4 Science & Engineering MTS 4
Organization: Engineering
Position Type: Career Indefinite
Security Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)
Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
Medical Exam: Not applicable
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
$153,210 - $236,112 Annually
$153,210 - $196,788 Annually for the SES.3 level
$183,840 - $236,112 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.
Job Description
We have multiple openings for Senior Mechanical Engineering Analysts. As a Senior Mechanical Engineering Analyst, you will help the analysis team support the engineering design, testing, and certification of our nation’s nuclear weapon systems by using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and some of the world’s largest computers. Our Engineering Analysts develop computational models using custom, in-house codes, conduct engineering analysis of full weapon systems and components in thermal, quasi-static, dynamic, and hydrodynamic environments, and help guide design and test engineers to develop successful products and tests. Engineering Analysts at LLNL also perform research and development in advanced simulation capabilities and workflows including advanced 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 Computational Engineering Division (CED).
These positions will be filled at either a SES.3 or SES.4 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:
- Lead and/or contribute to the development of finite element models of mechanical systems and components.
- Perform engineering in-depth 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 minimal direction and provide technical insight which influences solutions to stakeholder challenges.
- Document and present (as appropriate) simulation and analysis results and technical approaches.
- Work independently, in consultation, and/or on teams of analysts, code developers, engineers, and subject matter experts following established procedures, standards, and verification and validation best practices to solve complex technical problems under minimal direction.
- Contribute to and implement improvements to analysis workflows, processes, and procedures.
- Support deliverables with occasional travel as needed.
- Participate in formal and informal design reviews as required.
- Identify capability gaps and develop solutions or proposals to mitigate them.
- Lead and direct small to moderate technical projects or teams.
- Set and/or participate in vision and strategy development for analysis group and/or influence vision and strategy of larger project teams.
- Serve as a technical mentor for more junior engineering analysts and/or serve as a subject matter expert to internal and external stakeholders.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level
- Perform engineering in-depth 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 self-direction and provide alternative solutions to stakeholder challenges .
- Work independently, in consultation, and/or on teams of analysts, code developers, engineers, and subject matter experts following established procedures, standards, and verification and validation best practices to solve highly complex, not well-defined technical problems.
- Lead development and mentor others in the development of new analysis workflows, process standards, and procedures.
- Lead and direct large technical projects or teams or influence technical direction and decisions made by stakeholders as a subject matter expert in the field.
Qualifications
- Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
- Master’s degree in Mechanical or Civil Engineering, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Advanced communication and organization skills necessary to perform duties.
- Significant experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA), the Finite Element Method (FEM), static structural, thermal, thermal-mechanical, dynamic, or hydrodynamic analysis through FEA.
- Experience using a meshing software to develop hexahedral based meshes.
- Advanced knowledge of elasticity, plasticity, failure, and heat transfer in engineering materials/structures, and materials science, engineering material performance, and properties of materials, and of associated analytical models used in mechanical engineering problem solving.
- Advanced 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
- Experience developing solutions to complex challenges requiring innovative methods or in-depth analysis with limited factors and ability to exercise independent judgment in determining optimal techniques, methods, and evaluation criteria for answering engineering questions.
- Ability to work independently with minimal direction and as part of a team comprised of external partners or mid-level management and ability or experience to lead teams and/or direct technical projects.
- Ability or experience in formal and informal design reviews.
- Ability to travel.
Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level
- Expert communication and organization skills necessary to perform duties.
- Expert knowledge of elasticity, plasticity, failure, and heat transfer in engineering materials/structures and expert understanding of associated analytical models used in mechanical engineering problem solving.
- Expert 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
- Significant experience developing solutions to complex challenges requiring innovative methods or in-depth analysis of multiple tangible and intangible factors.
- Significant experience developing solutions to complex challenges requiring innovative methods or in-depth analysis of multiple tangible and intangible factors.
Qualifications We Desire
- PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
- Experience with commercial FEA codes such as Abaqus, Ansys, LS-Dyna, Nastran, CTH, or similar.
- Average or strong programming experience in Python, Java, C, Fortran, Perl, and/or MATLAB.
- Experience with national lab codes such as ParaDyn, Nike3D, Dyna3D, Diablo, Sierra, ALE3D, or similar.
- Experience in testing or experimental set up.
- Experience using a scripting language to build parametrically driven meshes.
- Significant experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Advanced constitutive models
- Continuum mechanics and material model development
- Energetic materials
- Magneto-hydrodynamics
- Transportation safety analysis
- Uncertainty quantification or statistics
- Nuclear weapon system mechanical design and materials
- Experience using a CAD software such as Solidworks or PTC Creo to build or defeature geometry.
- Understanding and ability to calibrate material models to test data.
- Advanced to Expert knowledge in the development of relevant principles, theories, or techniques in the solution of complex engineering problems.
- Ability to facilitate others through leadership.
- Experience with application of Verification and Validation practices.
Additional Information
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?
- 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.
