Embedded Systems and Digital Design Engineer

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$168,780 - $256,824 Annually

$168,780 - $214,032 Annually for the SES.3 level
$202,500 - $256,824 Annually for the SES.4 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.

We have an opening for an Embedded Systems and Digital Design Engineer to support the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Independent Diagnostic Scoring System (LIDSS) Flight Test Group. The LIDSS Flight Test Group is a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary team that specializes in rapid development of reliable in-field deployable assets including autonomous rafts, unmanned aircraft systems, and complex camera systems. You will have significant experience with embedded systems and digital design, validation, and deployment and you will be responsible for the entire life cycle of the product, from design to deployment to ensure mission success. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) within the Engineering Directorate. DTED provides support to Strategic Deterrence (SD) Programs.

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.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

You will

• Design, build, deploy, and maintain complex embedded systems for use on LLNL flight testing missions using in-depth analysis and innovative methods/technology.
• Write embedded software in either C or C++ that leverages a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) and interfaces with Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) and many external peripherals.
• Test and validate software through unit testing, automated testing, and system testing.
• Create digital hardware designs on FPGAs in VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL).
• Collaborate and interface with colleagues to coordinate and contribute to hardware documentation efforts, including asset user manuals, operating procedures, and troubleshooting guides.
• Plan, conduct, and evaluate testing activities including field tests, demonstrations, subsystems tests, etc., while using independent judgment in determining methods, techniques, and evaluation methods.
• Contribute to activities including planning, technical resource management, recruitment of staff, technical mentorship, and direction of work. Use technical expertise to partner with Flight Test customers and sponsors to secure contracts and funding.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level

• Provide expert capability in solving highly complex problems and apply highly advanced engineering knowledge to resolve technical and programmatic issues.
• Set broad project vision and strategy and influence technical direction for self and others.
• Manage scope of work that involves many parallel tasks requiring the resolution of conflicting work requirements, determine and pursue courses of action essential to obtain desired outcomes, including the prioritization of tasks toward targets.
• Provide strategic technical advice and collaborate with sponsors/customers and lead industry partners to address sponsor/customer needs from the Subject Matter Expert (SME) perspective.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of and significant experience with embedded systems programming in either C or C++, data structures or algorithms in embedded systems, and FPGA designs in VHDL.
• Significant experience testing embedded systems, including software, digital hardware, FPGAs, and circuits.
• Advanced-level knowledge and demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues related to electrical systems, including reading schematics and using electrical testandsoldering equipment.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills to explain, advise, and effectively collaborate with team on document and hardware issues, procedures, etc.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

• Subject matter expertise with embedded systems and technology development.
• Significant experience  and demonstrated ability to successfully lead a team of embedded engineers to solve highly complex problems.
• Expert level project management experience and demonstrated ability to complete highly complex projects, including working within and meeting resource, schedule, and scope constraints.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, influence, and advise senior management and/or external sponsors.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineer, or Computer Science or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Ability to travel for extended durations of 2 to 4 weeks, approximately one to two times each year, in remote locations.
• Ability to work productively in a variety of work environments including office settings, workshops, mobile trailers, and in remote outdoor field environments.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

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

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 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.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

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.