Controls Engineer, NIF&PS

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 looking for individuals that demonstrate an understanding of working in partnership with team peers, who engage, advocate, and contribute to building an inclusive culture, and provide expertise to solve challenging problems.

Pay Range

$123,960- 166,992 annually for the SES.2 level

$148,650- 200,328 annually for the SES.3 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 Controls Engineers to support various teams. This work will take place within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate, home to the world’s most energetic laser. It is an exciting time to join the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022, a historic moment in science, opening up new physics regimes and setting the stage for new fusion energy possibilities.

You will develop, implement, and maintain control systems (includes discrete to complex automated system controls) for some of the world’s most energetic and innovative laser systems. Some of the control systems include process controls such as vacuum and cooling systems, personnel safety, machine protection, laser control and diagnostics. Platforms include Rockwell ControlLogix Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), National Instruments (NI) industrial controllers, Linux and Windows microprocessor based servers, and in-house developed controls environments. These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, 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.

You will

• Develop hardware and/or software solutions for supervisory, automated processing and/or device level controls including hardware selection and evaluation, supervisory layers of software, graphical user interfaces, and device level controls involving real time and non-real time components.
• Evaluate potential solutions and provide technical input to ensure proper hardware integration with software platform as well as integration that may include sensors, cameras, power and flow meters, digitizers, safety interlocks, vacuum and cooling systems
• Participate in formal and informal code and design reviews.
• Select, integrate, and deploy hardware components for distributed controls applications.
• Perform in-field testing, maintenance, and troubleshooting of control systems. Depending on assignment, may be part of an on-call support team.
• Document all work products involved in design, implement, and test under configuration management.
• Communicate your status and progress on a regular basis.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Identify hardware, software, and communication protocols to provide robust and maintainable device/controller interface solutions.
• Work with operations staff and stakeholders to understand user requirements, develop, and execute on complex operational qualification plans independently, under minimal direction.
• Lead the development, design, implementation of complex control system applications while mentoring junior staff and providing oversight and guidance into production and commissioning activities on subsystems.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Broad knowledge and experience with device/instrument control and data acquisition.
• Experience with scientific instrumentation or industrial controls systems. Examples include oscilloscopes, delay generators, power/energy meters, motors, cameras, utilities controls, high vacuum systems, safety interlock systems, and cooling systems.
• Experience with systems and software engineering processes for generation of requirements, design documents, configuration control, and preparation of test plans and user documentation.
• Ability to work independently, under limited direction, and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team which includes scientists, engineers, technicians, and designers.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Significant experience with developing complex applications for control system automation.
• Advanced knowledge of and experience in application of best practices in software or hardware engineering design and development.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills including providing advice to management as needed.
• Experience mentoring team members.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering.
• Experience in object-oriented design and analysis (OOP)
• Experience and proficiency with the application and use of National Instruments (NI) software and hardware (e.g., LabVIEW, cDAQ, cRIO) and/or with the application, use, and programming of Rockwell’s ControlLogix PLC family, RSView/FTView, and Asset Centre system for configuration and code management and/or electrical design tools such as AutoCAD Electrical (ACE).
• Experience with prototyping and performing in-depth analysis.
• Experience with development of circuit boards, and/or knowledge of robotics, instrumentation, real time control systems, or process engineering.
• Systems Engineering experience including requirements development using Failure Modes and Effects Analysis.

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?

• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

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.