We have an opening for a Lead Surveillance Engineer to lead technical surveillance activities for LLNL stockpile weapon systems and to provide Design Agency support to Production Agencies executing surveillance scope. This program is responsible for providing engineering and scientific subject matter expertise in aiding the Weapon Systems Groups in carrying out their Nuclear Weapon Annual Assessment requirements. This position is in the Weapon Technologies and Engineering (WTE) Program, in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED).

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

• Serve as a technical contact for the Surveillance Program at meetings, briefings, design reviews, and committee activities both internal and external to the Laboratory. Provide Design Agency support to Production Agencies in their execution of surveillance scope.
• Address complex technical problems and develop solutions for surveillance of stockpile weapon systems, including defining scope, requirements, and deliverables that support Annual Assessment needs.
• Lead the team in developing and managing work plans, schedules, staffing needs, cost estimates, and funding allocations; track performance to internal and external programmatic deliverables and lead corrective actions when needed.
• Collaborate with project leaders within Laboratory programs to establish project objectives, priorities, and strategies for technical teams and to anticipate and meet technical needs.
• Lead and participate in engineering design reviews and readiness reviews, ensuring technical excellence, disciplined requirements management, and effective issue closure.
• Maintain robust communication with internal and external stakeholders; provide status, risks, issues, and decision needs to senior leadership in a timely manner.
• Lead, coordinate, and mentor multi-disciplinary team members (engineers and technical staff), balancing workload and enabling execution across multiple priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SEL.4 level 

• Set broader technical direction and priority for surveillance execution, influencing strategic technical decisions across weapon system stakeholders.
• Influence strategic technical decisions made by senior management and external customers and serve as an organization spokesperson for Laboratory management and/or external advisor to sponsors.
• Influence enterprise level strategies and priorities in support of future surveillance program needs.
• Maintain robust communications, collaborations, and contacts, internal and external to LLNL. Represent WTE and SD at meetings, briefings, and committee activities both internal and external to the Laboratory. Ensure project requirements, status, risks, and issues are communicated in an effective and timely manner to senior leadership.
• Mentor staff across the organization, including other mentors; strengthen surveillance processes and consistency across weapon system teams.

• Active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance, or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of nuclear weapon systems, their applications, their design, and support of their surveillance at the Plants within the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE).
• Advanced knowledge of Surveillance, Engineering Evaluations, or Product Realization processes for design and qualification of nuclear weapon systems.
• Experience with engineering analysis, hardware or system engineering, testing processes, and formal engineering/design reviews.
• Excellent organizational skills, knowledge and significant experience with project management tools and techniques, including work planning, scheduling, cost estimating, analyzing and managing financial data, and project reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and execute in a dynamic environment with changing requirements and multiple concurrent deliverables.
• Significant experience leading a team project and/or group, including the ability to gain the cooperation of others.
• Ability to travel to support program needs.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.4 level 

• Subject matter expertise in Surveillance, Engineering Evaluations, or Product Realization processes for design, qualification, and certification of nuclear weapon systems.
• Extensive experience leading technical projects and/or teams, including execution accountability for cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Expert ability to influence and advise senior leadership and external sponsors, including representing the program in high-visibility technical forums.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering.
• Advanced knowledge of Nuclear Weapons Complex sites and operations and applicable NNSA orders (as relevant to surveillance execution).

Pay Range

$189,660 - $288,396 Annually

$189,660 - $240,528 Annually for the SEL.3 level

$227,430 - $288,396 Annually for the SEL.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.

#LI-Hybrid

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 an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire. 

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.

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