Aerospace Engineer in Livermore, CA

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

$103,290.00 - $139,128.00 Annually for the SES.1 level

$123,960.00 - $166,992.00 Annually for the SES.2 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 an opening for an Aerospace Engineer in support of hypersonics programs. Activities include software development, modeling and simulation of hypersonic re-entry bodies, early feasibility studies, and flight testing. You will contribute engineering solutions for aerodynamics and aerothermal analysis in support of these programs, from systems requirements trade studies through algorithm design and hardware integration, including test data analyses. This position is in the Computational Engineering Division (CED).

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

• Build digital engineering simulation models (including CAD models and numerical meshes) for hypersonic re-entry bodies.
• Assess aerodynamic performance of hypersonic vehicles using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis.
• Assess aerothermal performance of hypersonic vehicles using CFD and coupled material response analysis.
• Contribute to conceptual design of future hypersonic systems.
• Employ software development best practices including version control, unit testing, and thorough documentation.
• Support concept trade studies and derive aerodynamic requirements for future systems.
• Validate models using flight test data.
• Contribute as a member of a team with other analysts, code developers, engineers, and subject matter experts to solve technical problems.
• Report technical approaches and publish as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level

• Participate in formal and informal design reviews as required.
• Work independently and with teams to solve moderately complex engineering analysis problems.
• Contribute to the integration of advanced future CFD/thermal response codes and analysis workflows.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Proficient knowledge of aerodynamics and flight dynamics theory.
• Proficient knowledge of industry-standard CFD tools and methods.
• Object-oriented programming experience, especially in Python, Java, C++, Fortran, and/or MATLAB.
• Experience exercising independent judgment in determining optimal techniques, methods and evaluation criteria for answering engineering questions.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills to effectively work in a team environment.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience with model-based aerodynamic design.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information.

Qualifications We Desire

• Familiarity with one or more of the following CAD software packages: CREO/Pro-E, Solidworks, Catia, UGNX or similar.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following CFD pre- and post-processing software packages: Pointwise, LINK3D, Chimera Grid Tools, Ansys, Numeca, ESP, Tecplot, Paraview, Fieldview or similar.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following CFD codes: CBAERO, ATAC, Cart3D, US3D, DPLR, SPARC, or similar.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following aerothermal response codes: FIAT, ATAC, CMA, CHAR, or similar.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: linearized aerodynamic theory, static and dynamic stability, aerodynamic database generation, heat transfer, ablation, verification and validation.

Additional Information

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

Position Information

This is a Flexible Term appointment, which is for a definite period not to exceed six years. If final candidate is a Career Indefinite employee, Career Indefinite status may be maintained (should funding allow).

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.