Mechanical Engineer- Generalist, NIF&PS

We have multiple openings for Generalist Mechanical Engineers. This work will take place within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate, home to the world’s most energetic laser.  It is an exciting time to join the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022, a historic moment in science, opening up new physics regimes and setting the stage for new fusion energy possibilities.

You will work on projects and provide technical expertise involving electromechanical systems with integrated electrical, optical, and mechanical components, novel laser diagnostics, large-scale laser beam path mechanics, positioners for precision laser components, and laser system support hardware.  In addition, you will provide engineering solutions for a variety of projects ranging from development of the next generation laser systems to upgrades to the current systems and will be involved throughout the product development life cycle, starting with concept initiation and requirements gathering and continuing to implementation, testing, and installation of the system. These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, 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.

In this role you will,

• Operate under general direction with limited responsibility, adhere to established procedures, and use fundamental knowledge and standard techniques to solve problems and contribute to project milestone completion.
• Participate in the design and engineering of current and next-generation laser and electromechanical systems, as well as supporting equipment and components, by contributing to the development of conceptual designs and performing supporting analysis in accordance with derived requirements.
• Collaborate and support team members in the detailed design process, component part fabrication, and unit assembly for systems of limited complexity.
• Participate and collaborate with team members in the design and characterization of  machine subsystems, including prototype testing and diagnostics, assessing tolerance stack-ups, formulating error budgets, and applying measured error compensation systems.
• Participate in the development and execution of test plans for prototype components and systems, ensuring robust performance and reliability by providing recommendations and solutions to problems of limited complexity.
• Contribute to the analysis for components and participate in providing supporting safety and engineering documentation to ensure compliance with process requirements and operational excellence.
• Present technical findings and participate in engineering design reviews to drive project success.
• Prepare technical documents and author clear, concise technical presentations.
• Participate in the development and implementation of solutions to commissions, maintenance, and calibration procedures for well-defined subsystems, including analyzing, summarizing, and presenting data results.
• Contribute to project milestones by generating  detailed plans, schedules, and budgets for project activities under general direction to support efficient project execution.
• Collaborate closely with team members to ensure the successful integration and proper functioning of commissioned systems. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level

• Work under limited direction with moderate responsibility, use comprehensive knowledge, and exercise independent judgment to determine methods and recommend improvements within established frameworks and contribute to the fulfillment of project and organizational goals.
• Contribute to the scope, schedule, budget, and quality of moderately complex to complex engineering work and provide regular updates to management to ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Provide solutions to develop advanced capabilities, leveraging comprehensive knowledge of systems engineering processes.
• Use independent judgement to determine methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for to contribute to the  hardware design and function of commissioning instrumentation and tooling under limited direction.