Nuclear Systems Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

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 Systems Reliability Engineer to apply advanced technical knowledge in support of ongoing projects in the Superblock, a DOE Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility. You will often be involved in supporting significant R&D projects, utilizing your knowledge and experience to assist in creating innovative solutions. You will additionally apply mechanical engineering skills and judgement to maintain moderate to complex mechanical systems and programmatic equipment. These positions are in Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), 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.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

You will 

• Collaborate with team members to support and contribute to the analysis and testing of programmatic and nuclear facility equipment, including equipment vibration assessment, thermography, equipment operational data trending, deriving post-maintenance testing plans, writing testing procedures, and performing safety calculations.
• Provide engineering support for electrical power distribution, controls, instrumentation, and facility support systems, including system troubleshooting, condition monitoring, and post-maintenance testing.
• Support facility infrastructure systems (e.g., electrical distribution, HVAC, controls, alarms, and utility systems) to ensure reliability, maintainability, and alignment with nuclear safety and mission requirements.
• Apply reliability engineering principles across mechanical, electrical, and control systems, including development of maintenance strategies, system health assessments, and performance metrics
• Work in conjunction with team members to provide engineering technical support for the troubleshooting, repair, modification, and operation of facility systems, utilities, and programmatic equipment.
• Contribute to and participate in the development of a predictive reliability program to ensure operational readiness and minimize downtime for critical systems, including power distribution, control systems, scientific tools & diagnostics, containment ventilation, cryogenic liquids, compressed gases, gloveboxes, and fire suppression.
• Assist in the development and implementation of a comprehensive preventative maintenance plan that encompasses all facility and programmatic equipment within the Superblock.
• Participate in the implementation of a reliability-centered maintenance approach to maintenance activities to determine the optimal maintenance activity for each system and contribute to recommendations on system health and improvement through predictive maintenance.
• Prepare detailed condition assessment reports for engineering and facility management on overall system health and develop performance metrics for moderately complex condition-based and/or predictive maintenance.
• Perform Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Inspectability (RAMI) analysis, which is an engineering framework to assess and improve the overall performance and effectiveness of complex systems throughout their design and operational phases.
• Communicate and interface frequently with assigned engineers to ensure compliance with programmatic requirements.
• Select methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to obtain results based on analysis of multiple, largely identifiable factors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level 

• Lead and/or provide technical guidance and direction in the development of project reliability plans for significant R&D projects, while also applying advanced level engineering knowledge, significant technical experience, and innovation to create mechanical solutions and resolve complex problems, while ensuring safety and compliance with DOE orders and specifications.
• Lead or provide technical direction for reliability and maintenance strategies across facility infrastructure systems, including electrical power distribution, controls, and integrated mechanical/electrical assets.
• Utilize Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), a strategic approach to maintenance that identifies and analyzes potential equipment failures to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective maintenance strategy for each specific asset.
• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive, predictive maintenance plan that encompasses all equipment within the Superblock, and also includes a comprehensive master equipment list of facility and programmatic assets across multiple sites.
• Lead the development and implementation of key performance metrics in equipment operability, maintainability, and reliability.
• Lead corrective actions in response to off-normal events within the scope of equipment maintenance and repair.
• Evaluate and exert influence on the development, methods, resource needs, priorities, progress, and completion of project and organizational goals, providing recommendations and advice to project leadership as necessary.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, systems, or related engineering discipline or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Engineering aptitude as evidenced by past engineering, experimental, operational, or moderately complex troubleshooting or modification projects.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience developing or reviewing engineering calculations, specifications, drawings, or analyses, and contributing to design, modification, or upgrade decisions for engineered systems.
• Experience and familiarity with scientific or experimental systems, including high-vacuum systems, high-temperature systems, X-ray generating devices, laser systems, calorimeters, mechanical testers, fabrication equipment, etc., and a fundamental understanding of how these instruments function.
• Proficient ability to identify, develop and effectively communicate recommendations to facility, program, and senior management regarding equipment maintenance, including proven ability to successfully implement recommendations.
• Experience working in a highly configuration managed environment.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level 

• Independent thinking and demonstrated ability to understand advanced level technical documentation needed for solving complex problems.
• Significant experience and advanced knowledge in the design, operation, analysis, or maintenance of complex engineered systems, which may include facility infrastructure systems (e.g., ventilation, fire protection, cryogenics, utilities) or complex programmatic or experimental systems.
• Advanced leadership skills and significant experience directing, supervising, and providing guidance and mentoring to small teams performing work in a highly regulated technical environment.
• Significant experience successfully managing, overseeing, and delivering multiple projects on budget and on schedule.
• Ability and flexibility in reprioritizing and changing programmatic direction depending on emergent requests.
• Advanced verbal and written communication, facilitation, and negotiation,  skills necessary to effectively interact and collaborate in a team environment, present and explain technical or operational information, and mediate, compromise, and provide advice to management, reviewers, and stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

• Active security clearance.
• Experience performing maintenance on scientific instruments, including high-vacuum systems, high-temperature systems, X-ray generating devices, laser systems, calorimeters, mechanical testers, fabrication equipment, etc., and a fundamental understanding of how these instruments function.
• Substantial experience and expertise in facility engineering and nuclear industry code compliance.
• Qualification as a Cognizant System Engineer in a nuclear facility.
• Familiarity with Nuclear Materials Control & Accountability principles, Radioactive & Hazardous Waste Management practices, and Nuclear Facility Quality Assurance and procurement practices.
• Experience supporting electrical or facility infrastructure systems in an industrial, research, or nuclear environment.

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-Onsite

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. 

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.