NIF Lead Operator Technical Associate

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 an opening for a NIF Lead Operator Technical Associate to work in our National Ignition Facility (NIF). NIF is a large-scale, complex, and integrated facility comprised of the world's most powerful and energetic laser. Utilizing a prior technical leadership background, coupled with a high-level of engineering or technical expertise, you will be responsible for establishing scope of work, providing innovative technical expertise, leading laser facility experimental operations, facility and system maintenance, and serving as an operations point of contact to support the National Ignition Facility's (NIF) Shot Operations organization in the NIF & Photon Sciences Directorate. Due to the vast and varying types of experiments, NIF is a 24/7 operational facility and requires shift flexibility. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.

In this role, you will

• Lead a technical team responsible for experimental operations, safety, security, and maintenance within NIF, a high-average power/energy laser system.
• Execute experiments using a Graphical User Interface (GUI) system, ensure facility operations procedures are performed, and review experimental progress in partnership with the Shot Director.
• Independently lead the troubleshooting of complex to highly complex technical problems, make technical recommendations for maintenance and repairs, provide oversight, and report results under general direction using discretion and judgment.
• Participate in complex to highly complex operations and maintenance strategies including providing efficiency and productivity recommendations to management as well as deconflicting operational team efforts, organizing process flow and maintaining task schedules.
• Provide innovative technical expertise to scientists, engineers, and high-level technical personnel on a wide variety of lasers, optics, power conditioning, alignment, diagnostics, software, and industrial controls platforms.
• Respond to and lead all facility off-normal events, coordinating emergency response integration with appropriate medical and fire first-responders, security and management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in science, electronics, electro-optics, mechanical, or industrial engineering, or related field or equivalent combination of education and extensive relevant technical experience.
• Advanced skills, knowledge, and experience leading operations and maintenance activities in a large-scale, complex, and integrated facility.
• Ability to make frequent decisions using independent discretion and judgment to provide original solutions for unique and challenging problems, while establishing or modifying guidelines, techniques, and procedures as needed.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary project environment with simultaneous commitments to technical projects from inception through completion.
• Ability to effectively manage high-pressure situations, prioritize tasks, and maintain focus while meeting deadlines.
• Experience in guiding teams in a workplace that prizes safety, security, quality and efficiency.
• Dedication to workplace professionalism by adhering to ethical standards, respect for colleagues, and fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate, mentor and train in a team environment and present and explain technical information.
• Ability to work alternate work schedules which will include extended shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience in using computers to operate equipment, navigate workflows, and track progress.
• Experience in laser and industrial safety in an operations environment.
• Experience interacting with and satisfying customer needs in a highly technical setting.
• Experience mentoring, training, organizing and leading work teams.

Pay Range

$125,310 - $153,444 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

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Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position. Lab employeesmay be considered for this position.

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet 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.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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.

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.

CaliforniaPrivacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitlesjob 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.