Radiation Effects Engineer

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 aRadiation Effects Engineerto work in the Target Diagnostic Engineering & Science (TDES) Group at the National Ignition Facility. You will support the development and evaluation of target diagnostic hardware and general NIF facility hardware through advanced radiation effects analyses and testing. You will assess radiation-related risks to existing NIF facility and diagnostic hardware, determine whether radiation played a role in system faults or performance changes, and lead radiation mitigation activities at the facility. Your work will involve independent technical leadership, project management, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division of the Engineering Directorate.

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

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.

In this role, you will

• 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.
• Perform independent research into radiation effects in electronics and radiation survivability for fusion facilities.
• Select methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to design and conduct radiation effects tests on electronic components (total dose, prompt dose rate, single event upsets, displacement damage, etc.).
• Serve as a point of contact for radiation effects in electronics, providing guidance to NIF team leads, system owners, and project engineers.
• Lead radiation effects test campaigns, including the development of moderately complex to complex electrical and electronics designs, data acquisition, data analysis, and reporting to internal working groups.
• Use radiation test results from reports and published literature to assess potential risks to existing NIF hardware and support electrical design teams by identifying radiation risks and mitigations.
• Document test and analysis results to inform future hardware developments and maintain a repository of radiation effects test results and analyses pertaining to NIF equipment.
• Contribute to the development of process improvements to minimize the impact of damaging radiation effects on NIF operations and help manage activities that protect NIF hardware from radiation environments.
• Support the Implementation and management of the execution of radiation effect mitigation strategy.
• Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams and may represent the organization by providing input on technical issues for specific projects..
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Work independently with minimal direction, utilizing advanced knowledge across one or more science or engineering fields within radiation effects.
• Provide advanced technical knowledge in radiation survivability, including radiation mitigation tactics such as radiation hardening of electronics and radiation shielding.
• Perform evaluation and selection of complex, often not well-defined instrumentation for NIF systems.
• Set specific technical strategy and direction for self and others, frequently working as a technical contact on multidisciplinary teams.
• Lead corrective actions where necessary and devise solutions for unique and complex problems in situations that may not be well defined.
• Demonstrate the ability and flexibility to reprioritize and change programmatic direction depending on emergent requests in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
• Contribute to the development of innovative principles and methods in radiation effects engineering.
• Mentor junior team members and assist in recruiting efforts.
• Serve on internal technical/advisory committees and may serve on external committees.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Physics, Applied Physics or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Comprehensive experience and ability to perform independent work in radiation effects engineering or similar fields.
• Comprehensive knowledge of electrical, optical, x-ray, or nuclear recording techniques and radiation effects in electronics.
• Comprehensive knowledge of total ionizing dose, displacement damage dose, or single event effects.
• Experience developing and conducting radiation effects tests and using radiation test results to assess hardware designs.
• Comprehensive understanding and application of electrical or electronic engineering skills to design, deploy, or troubleshoot moderately complex systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge of design and/or analysis of systems that operate in a radiation environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of neutron radiation damage or other neutron effects.
• Comprehensive knowledge of moderately complex electronic and electromechanical components and radiation effects on materials.
• Operational experience with test equipment including oscilloscopes, power supplies, delay generators, power meters, and time-domain reflectometers.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment, present and explain technical information.
• Experience performing systems engineering analysis techniques on real-world problems.
• Ability to work in confined or restricted movement areas, climb stairs, stand or walk for long periods of time, and pass NIF Radiological Worker I qualification.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Advanced knowledge and experience in design and/or analysis of systems that operate in a radiation environment.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of neutron radiation damage or other neutron effects, particularly from MeV neutrons.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of complex electronic and electromechanical components and radiation effects on materials.
• Experience identifying, defining, and solving multidisciplinary electrical or electronic problems in a timely, cost-effective manner.
• Ability to devise solutions for unique and complex problems in situations that may not be well defined.
• Ability to lead, manage, and mentor junior team members effectively.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information and provide advice to management.
• Experience performing in a project leadership role and/or overseeing the activities of other personnel.

Qualifications We Desire

• Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Physics, Applied Physics or a related field.
• Familiarity with the use of radiation test facilities (reactors, DT generators, accelerators, high-power/energy laser facilities).
• Experience with radiation transport codes such as MCNP, GEANT4, NOVICE, FASTRAD, SRIM, CASINO, etc.
• Experience working with radiological materials and associated controls.
• Experience working in an environment with stringent safety and security policies.

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-Onsite

Position Information

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

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet 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 useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate 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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