Nonlinear Computational Analysis Engineer

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

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 multiple openings for experienced Nonlinear Computational Analysis Engineers with a strong background in computational mechanics, material failure, high-rate dynamics, and multi-physics analysis. You will support design and assessment efforts for complex mechanical systems and structures using massively parallel, high-performance, nonlinear, hydrostructural analysis codes developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Your efforts will support a variety of projects aligned with one or more of LLNL's Strategic Deterrence, National Ignition Facility & Photon Science, or Global Security mission areas, including high-priority national security efforts in missile defense, space science and security, and laser applications.

These positions are 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.

In this role you will

• Assess and contribute to the response of complex mechanical systems subject to high-rate loading, including laser-matter interaction, blast and hypervelocity impact problems, as part of a multi-disciplinary project team.
• Work under limited direction to effectively manage concurrent technical tasks in a multi-disciplinary team environment, including the development of large, geometrically complex finite element models.
• Apply comprehensive technical knowledge to guide the successful completion of project goals, including the assessment of the post-failure response of materials and structures subjected to high-rate loadings.
• Perform verification analyses to check computational methods against analytical solutions and verify that methods converge properly and participate in technical peer review processes to ensure analytical rigor and quality.
• Participate and collaborate in training, briefings, or other program-related events, including contributing to meetings with sponsors, other DOE Laboratories, and U.S. government agencies, which will require occasional travel.
• Ensure appropriate security requirements are met for all levels of classified/unclassified information with limited direction.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Work independently to effectively manage concurrent technical tasks in a multi-disciplinary team environment, where commitments and deadlines are critical to project success.
• Apply advanced technical knowledge and methodologies to guide the successful completion of project and organizational goals and serve as the primary technical contact on tasks and projects.
• Resolve technical objectives and criteria to satisfy project objectives and execute the appropriate technical approaches with minimal direction.
• Collaborate with technical area leaders, project leaders, and program management to represent technical capabilities and project results to internal management and external sponsors.

• Ability to secure 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 related experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of computational structural mechanics, with experience in one or more of the following areas: material failure, high-rate system dynamics (e.g., penetration mechanics, hydrodynamics, or shock physics), hypervelocity impact, explosive modeling, or laser-matter interaction.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills needed to present and explain technical information, document work, prepare and present high-quality research papers, and provide technical summaries to project leadership.
• Experience using programming or scripting languages such as Python to facilitate technical analysis.
• Experience documenting research results in formal reports.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to travel.

• Advanced knowledge of computational structural mechanics and state-of-the-art modeling and simulation techniques, with significant experience in one or more of the following areas: material damage and failure mechanisms,…