Maintenance Engineering Lead

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 are seeking a dynamic and accomplished leader to join our team as the Maintenance Engineering Lead within the National Ignition Facility and Photon Sciences (NIF&PS) Directorate. In this pivotal role, you will provide both technical leadership and team management for the engineering, maintenance, reliability, and sustainment of specialized optics processing systems and supporting infrastructure within the Optics Materials Science & Technology (OMST) organization. You will collaborate closely with a diverse group of engineers, technicians, designers, craft personnel, operations staff, project managers, and vendors to drive innovation and ensure the reliable performance of critical OMST systems that support world-class optics processing capabilities. This position is part of the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division within the Engineering Directorate and offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of large-scale, high-impact scientific and national security mission support.

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

In this role, you will

• Lead teams, programs, or functions with a technical focus, operate under consultative direction with substantial authority, use subject matter expertise and significant team leadership experience, and exercise judgment within established policies to monitor workflow, allocate resources, ensure timely completion of projects, independently determine strategies, and achieve objectives while managing organizational impact and pursuing actions to achieve long-term goals.
• Provide technical mentorship and leadership to multidisciplinary teams supporting OMST facilities, infrastructure, and specialized optics processing systems.
• Establish, maintain, and ensure quality standards for project deliverables, and guide project teams to execute the process in accordance with customer funding, facility requirements, and integration expectations.
• Oversee hardware and system design enhancements, upgrades, and modifications for OMST equipment and infrastructure, ensuring solutions meet evolving programmatic and operational requirements throughout the system’s lifecycle.
• Provide input to the management team on solutions that enhance the reliability, maintainability, and productivity of OMST equipment and systems.
• Lead, guide, and direct teams in the design, prototyping, testing, commissioning, and sustainment of new and upgraded OMST equipment and systems.
• Assess strategic technical needs and lead strategic initiatives to develop and implement new engineering, maintenance, and reliability methodologies, including recommending process improvements, serving as subject matter expert, and providing technical advice.
• Design and execute studies, tests, or experiments to further strengthen OMST system capabilities, reliability, and performance, using highly advanced principles, theories, and concepts.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive design documentation, maintenance procedures, operating instructions, calibration protocols, and training materials.
• Troubleshoot highly complex technical issues and resolve highly complex problems with support from subject matter experts, close problem logs, and provide off-shift support for critical operations as needed.
• Champion a culture of safety, ensuring all activities are performed in accordance with the highest standards of personnel and facility safety, as well as relevant ES&H, security, and business policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a track record of successfully managing and guiding multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Subject matter expert knowledge and significant experience with highly complex industrial, manufacturing, facility, or process systems, including maintenance, upgrades, controls, and system integration.
• Significant experience in systems engineering, reliability engineering, equipment sustainment, or maintenance engineering, including the use of computer-based control, monitoring, or data acquisition systems.
• Proven ability to analyze and interpret highly complex technical data, manage multiple projects, and set priorities effectively.
• Expert verbal and written communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration, technical presentations, and the ability to provide clear advice to management.
• Recognized subject matter expertise, knowledge, and experience in the design, operation, sustainment, or upgrade of highly complex technical systems or infrastructure, with the ability to lead the application and development of highly advanced associated principles, theories, and concepts.
• Extensive experience conducting technical evaluations, tests, or experiments in complex research, industrial, or production environments and/or supporting large-scale system operations, maintenance, or production.
• Expert level collaboration and negotiation skills necessary to explain, influence, and advise all levels of technical staff, program management, and/or external stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

• Graduate degree (MS or Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent advanced knowledge.
• Experience supporting large-scale facility operations, specialized manufacturing systems, optics processing systems, or mission-critical infrastructure.
• Familiarity with cleanliness-controlled, safety-conscious, or high-consequence operational environments.

Pay Range

$227,430 - $288,396 Annually

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 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.