Laser Engineer

Company Description

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world‑changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi‑domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have an opening for a Laser Engineer to support National Ignition Facility (NIF) laser engineering, operations, and maintenance within the world’s most advanced laser facility. In this critical role, you will be responsible for running and maintaining the advanced laser systems and support hardware for the world’s largest laser with 192 beams, ensuring that all laser work is seamlessly planned, coordinated, and executed to support experiments in High Energy Density Physics, Laser Fusion and Ignition, and National Security.

You will also lead projects aimed at improving laser technology and implementing new capabilities to further increase NIF’s power, energy, and precision, partnering with scientists, engineers, and technicians across NIF sections to define clear objectives, deliverables, and interfaces. As a key member of the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division in the Engineering Directorate, you will help drive the continued success of this flagship experimental facility of the National Nuclear Security Administration within the Department of Energy.

This position requires full‑time on‑site presence due to the nature of the work.

• Function independently with minimal direction, taking significant responsibility and using advanced knowledge and judgment to establish objectives, prioritize parallel tasks, allocate resources, and collaborate in the development of innovative methods/technology to guide the completion of projects and contribute to the development of organizational goals.
• Work in small teams or individually to operate, maintain, improve, and support development of complex laser systems, including the regen and multi‑pass preamplifiers, laser diagnostics, wavefront control systems, alignment and precision pulse timing.
• Perform complex hands‑on work activities on electro‑optical components using techniques and methods to ensure optimal performance which will include alignment, evaluation, calibration (offline and online), troubleshooting complex technical issues, data analysis (using computer‑based data acquisition and controls), data archiving and system documentation.
• Create bench tests to validate spare components including optical amplifiers, Pockels cells, polarization components, mirrors, lenses, laser assemblies and components while performing quality assurance on new hardware, troubleshooting and repairing damaged components.
• Participate in planning of all work activities both within your work teams as well as with the broader NIF facility.
• Use technical software to analyze and plot data, perform ray tracing and tolerance analysis, or simulate and visualize physical phenomenon.
• Generate and maintain system documentation relating to configuration management including operations & test procedures; interpret & document performance and test results; identify and propose solutions.
• Interface with immediate supervisors, project leads, scientists, engineers, and technicians in the group to complete various projects.
• Work independently, under minimal direction, making technical judgements for situations that may not be well defined while selecting appropriate methods and techniques.
• Conduct laser performance analysis at a system level and present data to a peer review team with recommendations for enhancements.
• Provide occasional on‑call, technical support as needed for the NIF 24/7 operations schedule while ensuring safety and security.
• Perform other technical engineering tasks as assigned.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q‑level security…