Control Systems Hardware Engineer

We have multiple openings for a hardware engineer. You will provide engineering solutions for developing, implementing, and maintaining control systems hardware in the National Ignition Facility (NIF), the world’s highest energy pulsed laser system responsible for recent fusion breakthrough. With over 60,000 control points distributed throughout the facility, many of NIF’s subsystems have control technologies at their core. You will contribute to the engineering design and development of new hardware and for system upgrades to continually improve system performance and reliability. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.

The position will be filled at either the SES.2 or SES.3 level depending on your qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected 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.
• Provide controls and embedded systems hardware solutions which contribute to the definition, design, documentation, assembly, fielding, and maintenance, of National Ignition Facility control and Photon Science systems. This includes precise motion control for optical alignment, laser diagnostics, industrial controls, among other types of control technologies.
• Contribute to daily activities, providing engineering support for deployment, activation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance of moderately complex to complex control system hardware.
• Refine and manage the system requirement specifications and control system design to meet project goals.
• Assist in minimizing project risks by participating in formal and informal design reviews and providing input on technical issues.
• Maintain a close interface with the various programmatic and project elements to provide regular status reviews, ensure effective teamwork and compliance with programmatic requirements, and facilitate end-user communication.
• Determine, analyze, maintain, and present metrics for system reliability and performance that will be used to drive investments in system improvements.
• May provide guidance and/or informal mentoring to less experienced team members.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Function independently with minimal direction, taking significant responsibility and using advanced knowledge and judgment to establish objectives, prioritize parallel tasks, allocate resources, and collaborate in the development of innovative methods/technology to guide the completion of projects and contribute to the development of organizational goals.
• Resolve complex technical and programmatic issues by developing and applying high-level technical concepts and techniques.
• Interface and coordinate with multidisciplinary associates beyond the local work group, representing the organization as the primary technical contact, to define broad requirements for NIF control system hardware.
• Lead formal and informal design reviews and team efforts, and provide guidance and technical direction in developing complex control systems hardware.
• Employ project management skills to achieve required system performance while also managing shared resources/procurements and developing new projects or programs to enhance hardware control systems to benefit operations.
• Develop documentation that will be used as a basis for the long-term maintenance and operation of systems deployed in a 30-year facility.