Power Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Company Description
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.
Job Description
We have an opening for a Pulsed Power Engineering Technical Associate to support programs in the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate. You will collaborate with scientists, engineers and top-level technical personnel to provide advanced electronic pulsed power engineering technical expertise. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.
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.
This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.
You will

• Provide innovative technical expertise to engineering staff for electrical and pulsed power systems assembly, testing, and design modifications.
• Propose new complex electronics and/or controls designs for complicated software/ systems.
• Provide input for detailed plans, schedules, and budgets for project activities.
• Author detailed technical procedures and other documentation.
• Initiate, prepare, and present at design reviews, meetings, and other briefings to determine complex concepts and refine designs.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, technical personnel, safety personnel, both inside and outside the work group on both an individual and team basis in support of complex program assignments.
• Address complex to highly complex technical problems using independent discretion to provide original solutions.
• Oversee laboratory operations and logistics to support project goals for pulsed power systems assembly and testing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the 339.2 level

• Collaborate independently with engineers/scientists at all levels to provide highly advanced support in solving highly complex technical problems for various projects, independently leading personnel in assigning tasks and prioritizing work.
• Make frequent decisions using a high degree of independent discretion and judgement to define project approaches and create and implement original solutions.
• Define, interpret, design, document, oversee fabrication and operation of experimental prototypes and associated diagnostics utilizing highly advanced knowledge of electronic or electro-mechanical equipment and highly advanced attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in Electronics, Engineering Technology, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience in laboratory safety protocols (chemicals, lasers, high voltage, etc.).
• Advanced organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, oversee laboratory operations, and support project goals and objectives.
• Advanced knowledge of and experience with power supply design, pulsed power design, energy storage (capacitors), switching devices (MOSFET), simulation tools (SPICE), and diagnostics (CT, shunts).
• Advanced experience using oscilloscopes, multi-meters, and high voltage power supplies.
• Experience writing and following detailed procedures, contributing to electronic systems operations, analyzing results, and writing reports independently, under general supervision.
• Experience developing conceptual designs of complex and complicated electronic systems; designing, implementing, and/or testing prototypes; and presenting in engineering design reviews.
• Advanced technical and investigative skills with an understanding of equipment specifications and their relationship to project needs.
• Strong leadership, communication, and customer service skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience with planning, scheduling, and budgeting for technical projects.
• Innovative technical expertise with identifying and resolving complex to highly complex engineering problems.
• Effective interpersonal skills and experience working both independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team in a schedule-driven environment including advanced verbal and written communication skills.

Additional qualifications at the 339.2 level

• Highly advanced technical project management and workforce planning experience, including highly advanced communication, feedback, and presentation skills.
• Highly advanced experience with highly complex analog circuit design, supervisory control, instrumentation, and data acquisition.
• Highly advanced knowledge of electrical safety and related standards; electromagnetic compatible designs which minimize and tolerate EMI; techniques to cool power electronics components.

Qualifications We Desire

• Familiar with LabVIEW and related instrumentations and control software.
• Experience working with classified materials, documentation, and/or experimental data.

Pay Range
$125,310 - $185,640 Annually
$125,310 - $153,444 Annually at the 337.1 level
$151,620 - $185,640 Annually at the 339.2 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. 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.
Additional Information
#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.
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.
Videos To Watch
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