Civil Engineer Python Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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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 Modeling and Simulation Engineer within the Analytical Capability Group (ACG). ACG supports LLNL weapon system design and assessments with modeling and simulation in-house tool development. You will perform code development work focusing on a Python modeling environment (a collection of libraries and applications) that interfaces with multiple engineering solvers and post-processing applications. This will involve developing methods and tools to streamline the end-to-end engineering analysis workflow, which includes Product Lifecycle Management and Simulation Process Data Management platform integration, mesh generation, model preprocessing, job monitoring, simulation postprocessing and visualization, and report generation. This work additionally prepares for integration within a multi-agent large language model framework to accelerate the end-to-end analysis process. This position is in the Computational Engineering Division (CED), within the Engineering Directorate.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Contribute to the development of software tools for managing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and other numerical modeling workflows including preprocessing, post-processing, and data management targeting high performance computing (HPC) platforms.
• Provide support to engineering analysts, which may include debugging problems, providing alternative solutions, and quickly implementing new features.
• Participate in the integration of engineering analysis tools with other frameworks supporting LLNL's Digital Transformation objectives, as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) integration within the end-to-end engineering analysis process.
• Document analyses, methods, and implementation activities and processes in both informal and formal reports and presentations.
• Share relevant knowledge, analysis, and recommendations in collaboration with internal and external scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer scientists through reviews and working groups. Interface with other development teams working on tools that support analysis workflows.
• Perform analysis of complex mechanical systems subject to dynamic structural and thermal loads with emphasis on high performance computational techniques.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.3 level 

• Exercise independent judgment to determine technical objectives, criteria, and techniques to execute the appropriate technical approaches, obtain and analyze results, provide solutions for a diverse range of moderately complex problems, and to satisfy project deliverables.
• Utilize comprehensive engineering knowledge and apply relevant professional experience, broad technical concepts and techniques, and best practices to provide input on technical issues for specific tasks and projects, resolve technical and programmatic issues, and contribute to the successful completion  project and organizational goals.
• Coordinate and contribute to the execution of engineering testing and data analysis and assist in preparing technical reports, documentation, and presentations.
• Provide guidance and mentor junior staff, student fellows, and summer student researchers.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Master's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Civil Engineering with a focus on structural  mechanics and/or solid mechanics, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and/or applied experience developing software in Python, C, C++, or similar languages.
• Proficient interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills necessary to effectively interact and collaborate in a multidisciplinary team environment and to present and explain technical information.
• Ability to work independently to complete assignments, while adhering to defined practices and procedures, as well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to independently gather information from manuals and other documentation to build workflow tools to those programs.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level 

• Advanced knowledge and operational experience in computational mechanics, including modeling and simulation tools.
• Advanced knowledge and experience, and demonstrated proficient skills writing in one or more programming languages such as Python, C, C++, or similar languages.
• Demonstrated ability to meet schedule and deliverables for multiple concurrent projects with a range of priorities, and to reprioritize and change programmatic direction depending on emergent requests and needs.
• Experience preparing and conducting testing and data analysis, as well as performing and completing documentation, tracking, and reporting of action items.

Qualifications We Desire

• PhD in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Civil Engineering with a focus on structural  mechanics and/or solid mechanics, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience conducting computational analysis in a multi-physics context and with software on massively parallel systems.
• Experience in development of software including testing, documentation, and user support.
• Experience using and/or developing agentic workflows using Large Language Models in support of computational engineering analysis.

Pay Range

$146,340 - $222,564 Annually

$146,340 - $185,544 Annually for the SES.2 level

$175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 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; 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.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

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

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - 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

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. 

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