Optical Production Control 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 committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is essential to innovation and creativity for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$148,650- $200,328 annually for the SES.3 level.

$178,410- $240,384 annually for the SES.4 level.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

Job Description

We have multiple openings for experienced Optical Production Control Engineers. You will be responsible for working with the optical engineering team to derive specifications to improve optic manufacturability, directing fabrication and development (if necessary) at optical vendors of precision optics, and qualifying new optics suppliers for high energy laser systems. You will interact with project management, design engineers and technicians, laser system scientists, manufacturing planning and procurement groups, outside optical suppliers, quality assurance, and operations staff. These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division of the Engineering Directorate. LSEO provides support to the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF& PS) 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

• Partner with laser designers and optical engineering staff to optimize specifications for acceptable laser system performance and optic manufacturability.
• Redline complex optical drawings through the drafting and approval process to create final drawings.
• Write scope of work and sole source justification when necessary to create a complete procurement package for solicitation.
• Participate in selection and development of suppliers to manufacture NIF & Photon Science optical components including optimization and development of new processes to meet NIF requirements.
• Document process control methods and requirements for optical vendors to be incorporated into production contracts.
• Analyze vendor production fabrication and control methods for weaknesses and make recommendations to realize high quality components and/or lower unit cost.
• Analyze vendor supplied metrology data to validate manufacturing processes remain in production control and optics are fully compliant with specification.
• Present non-conformances to system engineering to build consensus on acceptability or rejection for optic use in the laser systems.
• Work with optical coordination staff to track vendor performance, optic location, and archive metrology data, working toward the resolution of complex production problems.
• Function as a mentor and an individual contributor in a team and project-oriented environment with individuals from other disciplines including managing, organizing, and documenting involved tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level

• Model and analyze highly complex optical specifications for metrology measurement errors, particularly for curved and aspheric surfaces during the optical system design phase.
• Guide LLNL metrology technicians in how to configure non-routine metrology setups to validate vendor specification compliance.
• Design multilayer coatings and perform thickness and refractive index tolerance analysis to determine coating manufacturability.
• Research and provide in-depth analysis to track vendor performance, optic location, and archive metrology data. Analyze tracking and metrology data for errors, determine error sources, and make the necessary corrections.
• Provide technical project direction to a multi-disciplinary team and provide technical briefings to management or at technical conferences related to optical fabrication development activities.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Material Science, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience in precision optical fabrication or optical thin film coating.
• Significant experience in production of complex optics and optical components including specification, fabrication, measurement, and testing (e.g., interferometry, mechanical measurements, focal length measurements (distance interferometry) photometry, spectrophotometry, ellipsometry, laser damage testing, and surface quality)
• Advanced knowledge of and experience performing production engineering roles including procurement planning and execution, production control, and quality assurance.
• Ability to interpret optical and mechanical specifications and drawings including ISO 10110 optical specifications.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment, present and explain technical information including providing advice to management.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

• Master’s degree in Material Science, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience in precision optical fabrication or optical thin film coating.
• Substantial experience setting standards for and analyzing customer product requirements related to optical specification and production techniques including highly complex levels including mentoring and/or training staff.
• Subject matter expertise in ISO 10110 optical specifications.

Qualifications We Desire

• Working knowledge of an optical design code (Code V, ZEMAX, FRED, OSLO, or equivalent) to analyze optical metrology configurations for component testing
• Working knowledge of a thin film analysis and design code (Macleod, OptiLayer, Filmstar, TFCalc, FilmWizard, Multilayer, or equivalent) to design optical thin films to analyze manufacturability of coating specifications.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

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

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2022 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Education Assistance
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

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.

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.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

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.

California Privacy Notice

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