Controls Systems Engineering Associate - DPAL
Livermore, CA

Job Description

Science and Technology on a Mission!

For more than 60 years, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has applied science and technology to make the world a safer place.

We have an opening for a Control Systems Engineering Associate to participate in the development and implementation of distributed control systems on the Diode Pumped Alkali Laser (DPAL) in the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science Directorate (NIF & PS). Working independently with general direction, the successful candidate will implement advanced technical support in the design and development of system architecture and implementing hardware systems for LabVIEW-based applications and real-time controls for a variety of laser and non-laser-based instrumentation & control systems. This will include solving complex technical problems via regular collaboration with scientists, engineers, and high-level technical personnel both internal and external to LLNL and may also involve technical lead responsibilities. This position will report to an Engineering Group Leader. This position is in Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) within the Engineering Directorate.

This position will be filled at either the 337.1 or 339.2 level depending on your experience and qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.

Essential Duties

* Originate, design, test, develop, and evaluate complex to highly complex hardware systems for supervisory, automated processing, and/or device level controls.
* Develop preliminary design concepts; identify requirements for the design and write requirement documents in collaboration with program personnel.
* Collaborate with external and internal work units for hardware selection, procurement, and installation.
* Debug and troubleshoot complex HW/SW subsystems either under limited direction or in conjunction with engineering staff.
* Develop and test LabVIEW-based software using software development best practices.
* Assist in the development of control & monitoring systems in a small team environment.
* Refine system requirements specifications and contribute to control software design.
* Under limited direction, responsible for the general oversight and personal commitment to the goals of Integrated Safety Management, Integrated Safeguards and Security Management, compliance with all ES&H regulations, good business practices, diversity, and equal opportunity.
* Perform other duties as assigned.

In Addition, at the 339.2 Level

* Provide highly advanced technical and/or technical management support in the design, development, and deployment of automated processing, and/or device level controls.
* Author, review, and approve related engineering documentation, as well as routinely present this material to superiors and subordinates while leading or participating in design reviews.
* Develop strategic planning and serve as a main point of contact for controls software and support off-normal occurrences.

Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree in electronics or electronics engineering technology or an equivalent combination of relevant previous education and experience.
* Significant experience in the design, test, and development of hardware systems for supervisory, automated processing, and/or device level controls.
* Significant experience and advanced skills, knowledge, and ability in electronic design, troubleshooting, embedded controls, data acquisition, and computer interfacing.
* Experience using laboratory test equipment such as oscilloscopes, DVMs, power supplies, function generators, and delay generators.
* Comprehensive knowledge of National Instruments LabVIEW programming and ability to perform entry level coding.
* Experience working in a multi-disciplinary project environment with simultaneous commitments to performance, cost, and schedule.
* Advanced written and verbal communication skills and strong presentation skills.
* Ability to work occasional on call and/or shift work.

In Addition, at the 339.2 Level

* Highly advanced knowledge, skills and understanding of National Instruments LabVIEW programming.
* Extensive experience developing preliminary design concepts of hardware systems for a variety of laser and non-laser-based instrumentation & control systems.
* Extensive experience making frequent, independent decisions under minimal direction to define project approaches, and create and implement original solutions to establish or modify guidelines, techniques, and procedures, to choose appropriate work methods and possibly to set priorities.

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

* Experience in motion control systems.
* Experience in laser electro optic controls systems.
* Experience in the use of National Instruments cRIO/cDAQ hardware.
* Experience in formal methods and practices used in software development.
* Knowledge of instrumentation and process engineering.
* Experience with the application, use, and programming of real time control systems.
* Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD).
* Experience with software programming in configuration management environments (e.g., Git, Jira, BitBucket).

Pre-Employment Drug Test: External applicant(s) selected for this position will be required to 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.

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. In addition, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold multiple citizenships (U.S. and another country), you may be required to renounce your non-U.S. citizenship before a DOE L or Q clearance will be processed/granted.

Note: This is a Career Indefinite position. Lab employees and external candidates may be considered for this position.

About Us

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), located in the San Francisco Bay Area (East Bay), is a premier applied science laboratory that is part of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) within the Department of Energy (DOE). LLNL's mission is strengthening national security by developing and applying cutting-edge science, technology, and engineering that respond with vision, quality, integrity, and technical excellence to scientific issues of national importance. The Laboratory has a current annual budget of about $1.8 billion, employing approximately 6,500 employees.

LLNL is an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer. 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, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.