Structural Engineer

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 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.

Pay Range

$202,500 - $308,184 Annually

$202,500 - $256,824 Annually for the SES.4 level

$243,060 - $308,184 Annually for the SES.5 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. 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.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Structural Engineer who will provide technical support for ongoing operations and modifications in LLNL’s nuclear facilities. This work includes structural calculations, designs, and design reviews as well as the development and implementation of the methodology to address the issues from the LLNL site Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA) report and the resulting seismic evaluations of the LLNL Plutonium Facility. This position is in the Facilities and Operations Support Division within the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate.

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

This position 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

• Determine the operability and structural integrity of building safety structures, systems, and components (SSCs) using subject-matter expert level technical knowledge and recommend corrective action to facility management when required.
• Provide recommendations to SD and facility management and senior LLNL and DOE managers on the potential impact of studies and evaluations, such as the PSHA, on building SSCs.
• Identify and provide recommendations for all necessary modifications to SD and facility management regarding the facility and facility supported SSCs and approve the resulting proposed physical modifications.
• Manage system modification/construction projects and configuration of building SSCs through drawings, procedures, and design documentation.
• Act as the subject-matter expert, provide technical expertise, support, and innovative solutions to highly complex issues related to the design and implementation of equipment replacement, repair, and structural modifications of the building safety SSCs.
• Develop and implement structural calculations, design criteria, design drawings, sketches and specifications for facility structural modifications and upgrades.
• Develop detailed structural designs and specifications; evaluate methods being used; resolve highly complex technical problems, and review drawings.
• Provide day-to-day subject-matter expert level consultation and approval on technical matters related to structural engineering issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.5 level

• Ability to provide expert level knowledge in the state-of-the-art application of structural engineering principles for resolution of highly complex issues that have great impact upon the organization.
• Exercise highly independent judgement and initiative in determining methods and techniques in work assignments, influencing professional colleagues, internal senior management.
• Serves as the spokesperson for specialized projects.
• Participate or lead structural design standard committees within LLNL and externally, as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Structural Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant highly advanced experience in the design, implementation, and operations of facility systems.
• Expert level experience developing and reviewing structural calculations and specifications, drawings, and sketches, and determining design criteria for facility structural modifications, renovations, and upgrades on numerous large-scale and small-scale projects.
• Subject Matter Expert level ability to identify and provide recommendations to facility and senior management regarding facility and safety equipment modifications with a proven record of implementation where the resolution methodology is frequently not clearly defined.
• Ability to identify, design and solve highly complex technical and multidisciplinary problems in a timely and cost-effective manner where there is a high degree of ambiguity regarding approaches to problem resolution.
• Knowledge of structural engineering standards, policies, and practices.
• Ability to work independently with considerable latitude to accomplish multiple parallel tasks.
• Expert level communication skills to effectively present recommendations to facility and senior management.

Additional qualifications at the SES.5 level

• Extensive experience and demonstrated ability to develop, champion, and lead cutting edge solutions and concepts for complex issues or problems that require application of creativity or innovation.
• Extensive experience in the application of state-of-the-art structural engineering concepts and practices.
• Experience using Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA) in determining the facility capacity to withstand an evaluation basis earthquake (EBE).
• Ability to set high level goals, develop strategic plans for action, and accomplish program/project goals and objectives.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in Civil/Structural Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience. Professional California registration in civil or structural engineering.
• Knowledge of the LLNL nuclear facilities safety basis and authorization basis documentation.
• Knowledge of DOE and LLNL structural engineering design standards, policies, and practices.
• Knowledge of the design methodology or history of Superblock nuclear facilities.
• Master’s degree or professional California registration in civil or structural engineering.

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

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.

Wireless and Medical Devices

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

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate 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.

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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.

Reasonable Accommodation

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