Space Hardware - Postdoctoral Researcher

Space Hardware - Postdoctoral Researcher

Entry Level | Full-time
Engineering | Livermore, CA | 02/12/2026
Reference #: REF
7948B
Job Code: PDS.
1 Post-Dr Research Staff 1 / PDS.
1 Post-Dr Research Staff 1
Organization: Engineering
Position Type: Post Doctoral
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 Apply Now

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 dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher in precision optomechanical engineering for space applications. You will contribute to cutting edge research focused on developing the next generation of large aperture space telescopes and optical payloads, with an emphasis on precision mechanisms, optomechanical design, and integration of optical systems into spacecraft. This position is in the Advanced Space Development group in the National Security Engineering Division, within the Engineering Directorate.

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

You will:

• Conduct research in precision engineering, including the design and analysis of high stability mechanisms, mounts, and structures for space telescopes and optical payloads.
• Perform optomechanical design of telescope subsystems, including mirrors, lenses, mounts, alignment features, and supporting structures, with attention to thermos‑mechanical stability, vibration, and launch survivability.
• Develop and run analytical and numerical models to predict system performance under mechanical, thermal, and dynamic loads.
• Apply precision engineering principles to ensure alignment, pointing, and wavefront stability of optical systems in the space environment.
• Design and analyze mechanisms for deployment, focusing, alignment, and actuation of optical elements, including mechanisms for large aperture systems.
• Use optical design and analysis tools (for example, Zemax , FRED or equivalent) to validate optical performance and to couple mechanical and optical models for end to end system performance evaluation.
• Contribute to the conception, design, and execution of laboratory experiments to validate optomechanical designs, including alignment procedures, environmental testing, and performance verification.
• Communicate and collaborate with engineers, scientists, and physicists working on space telescopes, optical payloads, and spacecraft integration.
• Support proposal development for the Space Hardware group, including defining technical approaches, schedules, and risk mitigation strategies for precision optical and mechanical systems.
• Design research plans, generate and analyze results, and publish findings in peer reviewed journals or conference proceedings.
• Travel as needed to coordinate with research collaborators and visit field or test sites.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• PhD in mechanical engineering, optical engineering, aerospace engineering, applied physics, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in precision mechanical design, including mechanisms, kinematic or quasi kinematic mounts, alignment features, and tightly toleranced assemblies.
• Experience in optomechanical design for optical instruments, telescopes, or imaging systems, including coupling mechanical and optical performance requirements.
• Hands on experience with structural and thermal analysis tools (for example, ANSYS, NASTRAN, Abaqus or equivalent) for predicting deformation,…