Field 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

$117,180 - $178,392 Annually

$117,180 - $148,608 Annually for the SES.1 level

$140,700 - $178,392 Annually for the SES.2 level

This is the lowest to highest salary in good faith 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 a Field Engineer to support the Flight Test Group. The 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 (UAS), and camera systems. Collectively, these assets and accompanying sensors comprise the LLNL Independent Diagnostic Scoring System (LIDSS). You will have a focus on testing, checkout, and troubleshooting of assets during their deployments as well as operating the equipment during mission execution. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), within the Engineering Directorate. DTED provides support to the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Programs.

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.

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.

You will

• Participate in mission execution for approximately 3 to 6 missions each year, each requiring extended travel of 2 to 6 weeks in remote locations or aboard marine vessels.
• Perform testing and checkout activities on assets in preparation for missions.
• Identify, resolve, document, and communicate any technical issues that arise on any asset during deployment.
• Act as asset operator during mission execution.
• Contribute to hardware documentation efforts, including asset user manuals, operating procedures, and troubleshooting guides.
• Contribute to the mechanical, electrical, or system design and development efforts of the Flight Test Group’s hardware suite (autonomous rafts, unmanned aircraft systems, camera systems, etc.).
• Plan, conduct, and evaluate testing activities including field tests, demonstrations, subsystems tests, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level

• Apply relevant professional experience to significantly enhance the Flight Test Group’s hardware and software suites.
• Participate in leadership activities including planning, technical resource management, recruitment of staff, technical mentorship, direction of work, and work closely with Flight Test customers and sponsors to secure contracts and funding.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Ability to identify, isolate, and resolve problems on mechanical-electrical systems.
• Fundamental knowledge and ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues related to electrical systems, including reading schematics, using electrical test equipment, using soldering equipment and the ability to mend electrical cables and connections in the field.
• Ability to perform duties under stress due to time constraints, harsh environmental conditions (rain, full sun, etc.), and limited resources.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively with team and document hardware issues and procedures and the ability to generate, explain, and present technical information.
• Adaptable, detail-oriented, and comfortable working on a small cross-disciplinary team; willingness to learn and perform work duties in a fast-paced, fast-changing environment.
• Ability to travel for extended durations of 2 to 6 weeks, approximately 3 to 6 times each year, in remote locations or aboard marine vessels.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Broad experience designing, fabricating, and troubleshooting moderately complex to complex mechanical-electrical systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience in a technical field relevant to the Flight Test Group including embedded design, optics, UAS, radar, or telemetry.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Well-rounded with a broad range of knowledge and engineering experience but also have specific experience with mechanical-electrical system design, fabrication, testing, and troubleshooting.

#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.