Instrumentation Control 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 nuclear facility instrumentation or control system engineer to provide engineering expertise to ensure continued operational readiness of DOE Hazard Category 2 and 3 nuclear facility building structures by: maintaining overall cognizance of the integrity of Hazard Category 2 and 3 assigned systems; providing system engineering support for Operations and Maintenance activities, such as facility modifications and equipment installations; and, technical support of line management safety responsibilities. You will often be involved in supporting significant research and development (R&D) projects, applying your expertise and creating innovative solutions. This position will report programmatically to the Superblock and administratively to the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) within the Engineering Directorate.

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes flexibility to work from home up to one day per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options, may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

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.

You will

• Under limited direction, monitor the integrity and configuration of instrumentation, detection, or alarm systems to anticipate the need for maintenance, repair, or replacement of components due to aging and degradation.
• Prepare system logs, surveillance reports, and detailed assessment reports and brief facility management on the results.
• Identify, monitor, and provide recommendations for the timely procurement and assurance of adequate inventory of spare parts and materials.
• Utilize comprehensive technical engineering skills and experience to provide engineering technical support for sustainment, repair, and modification of safety structures, systems, and components.
• Support significant R&D projects by applying comprehensive level knowledge, skills, and innovation to create solutions that are safe and compliant with DOE orders and specifications.
• Develop and implement solutions and approaches for problems and issues of moderate complexity in support of facility operations and maintenance using independent engineering judgment, in determining methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria, in-depth analysis, ingenuity, and creativity.
• Identify and assess the potential impacts to assigned structures, systems, components from new construction, modifications, and repairs related to other systems, such HVAC and building structures.
• Under limited direction, develop and perform technical reviews of facility related procedures, work instructions, and proposed modifications to ensure compliance with technical criteria, technical adequacy, and feasibility of implementation.
• Under limited direction, prepare and review design calculations, drawings, and other documents.
• Conduct reviews and provide technical input and advice to mid-level internal management, customers, and colleagues on moderately complex system related design, operation, and maintenance issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.3 level

• Independently with minimal direction, monitor the integrity and configuration of instrumentation, detector, or alarm systems to anticipate the need for maintenance, repair, or replacement of components due to aging and degradation.
• Using advanced knowledge, identify, monitor, and provide recommendations for the timely procurement and assurance of adequate inventory of spare parts and materials.
• Utilize advanced knowledge of technical engineering skills and experience with complex engineering systems to provide engineering technical support for sustainment, repair, and modification of safety structures, systems, and components.
• Support significant R&D projects by applying advanced knowledge, skills, and innovation to create solutions that are safe and compliant with DOE orders and specifications.
• Develop and implement solutions and approaches for complex problems and issues in support of facility operations and maintenance using independent engineering judgment, in determining methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria, in-depth analysis, ingenuity, and creativity.
• Independently with minimal direction, develop and perform technical reviews of facility related procedures, work instructions, and proposed modifications to ensure compliance with technical criteria, technical adequacy, and feasibility of implementation.
• Independently with minimal direction, prepare and review design calculations, drawings, and other documents.
• Conduct reviews and provide technical input and advice to mid-level internal management, customers, and colleagues on complex system related design, operation, and maintenance issues.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in electrical, electronics, instrumentation, or controls engineering or equivalent level of education and related technical experience.
• Comprehensive level knowledge of engineering standards and practices, such as ASME, ANSI, NFPA, etc. related to electrical, electronics, instrumentation or controls.
• Broad experience with and comprehensive level knowledge and skills in the design, modification, and evaluation of instrumentation, detector, or alarm systems for buildings and facilities.
• Proficiency in developing or reviewing calculations, specifications, drawings, and sketches; determining design criteria for modifications, renovations, and upgrades on small projects and on occasional larger projects.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively interact and collaborate in a team environment, including the ability to identify, develop and effectively communicate recommendations to facility and senior management regarding facility and safety equipment modifications.
• Demonstrated proficiency and experience effectively developing work process documents and safety documentation.
• Broad experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment which includes scientists, engineers, and technicians
• Board experience delivering work products on budget and schedule, often with multiple parallel tasks that require the resolution of conflicting work requirements and prioritization of tasks toward predetermined long-range targets.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Previous experience with instrumentation, detector, or alarm systems and industry code compliance, including Department of Energy requirements for nuclear facilities.
• Advanced level knowledge of electrical, electronics, instrumentation, or controls engineering standards and practices, such as ASME, ANSI, NFPA, etc.
• Significant experience with and advanced level knowledge and skills in the design, modification, and evaluation of instrumentation, detector, or alarm systems for buildings and facilities.
• Advanced knowledge of and significant experience in developing or reviewing calculations, specifications, drawings, and sketches; determining design criteria for modifications, renovations, and upgrades on small projects and on occasional larger projects.
• Significant experience with and ability to successfully lead and motivate a team in achieving project objectives which include solving highly complex problems, defining and verifying requirements and resources, and applying project management expertise.
• Advanced communication, facilitation, and collaboration, interpersonal, and negotiation skills necessary to effectively present, explain, provide strategic technical advice, build consensus, and influence senior management, external sponsors, regulators, reviewers, and stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master's degree in electrical, electronics, instrumentation, or controls engineering or related field.
• Professional Engineering Registration in Electrical or Control System Engineering in California or reciprocity from another state within twelve months.
• Significant experience working with structures, systems, and components in a nuclear environment.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, Creo).
• Significant experience preparing project estimates.
• Experience scoping, designing, installing, or maintaining a Distributed Control System (DCS).
• Hands-on experience with PLC/research hardware programming and troubleshooting.
• Experience with HMI/SCADA configuration and support.

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 in good faith 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.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under "Find Your Job" of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

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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