Laser and Metrology Process Engineering Team Leader

Overview

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. Our mission spans four critical national security areas: nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

Are you ready to lead a team advancing world-class optics processing capabilities in support of national security science? The Optics Materials Science & Technology (OMST) team at the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) is seeking a Laser and Metrology Process Engineering Team Leader. You will lead a small team of laser and metrology scientists responsible for the safe and efficient operation of laser-based optical processing and metrology facilities that directly support NIF and related programs.

You will report directly to the OMST Program Director and will be accountable for facility performance, process development, technical rigor, sustainment and operational safety, while collaborating closely with stakeholders across NIF, OMST, and external vendors. This position is part of the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division within the Engineering Directorate.

• Lead teams, programs, or functions with a technical focus, operate under consultative direction with substantial authority, use subject matter expertise and significant team leadership experience, and exercise judgment within established policies to monitor workflow, allocate resources, ensure timely completion of projects, independently determine strategies, and achieve objectives while managing organizational impact and pursuing actions to achieve long-term goals.
• Provide technical leadership for a small team of laser and metrology scientists, including mentoring, performance feedback, work planning, and professional development.
• Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of laser-based optical processing and metrology facilities that support NIF and related optical systems.
• Develop, implement, and maintain processes, procedures, and best practices that govern laser-based optical processing and metrology operations, including documentation and configuration control.
• Develop, track, and report quantitative and qualitative performance metrics to monitor facility throughput, availability, quality, and reliability, and drive continuous improvement.
• Coordinate and support facilities both onsite and vendor locations, including periodic travel to vendor sites to oversee process execution, troubleshoot issues, and ensure adherence to LLNL requirements.
• Apply strong working knowledge of large-aperture interferometers and interferometric analysis tools, including Mx and 4
  
  Sight, to guide metrology system configuration, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Use a strong understanding of laser and optical delivery principles and methods to design, review, and optimize optical processing and metrology configurations.
• Apply a solid understanding of frequency conversion and non-linear optics, as well as geometrical and physical optics, to guide system designs, troubleshoot performance issues, and evaluate trade-offs in optical processing and metrology architectures.
• Utilize familiarity with optical engineering software codes such as Code V and FRED to support optical system design, modeling, tolerancing, and analysis for both processing and metrology systems.
• Oversee and support operations involving high average power lasers, ensuring safe operating envelopes, effective hazard controls, and optimized performance for processing and metrology applications.
• Serve as the Authorizing Individual (AI) for multiple laser-based laboratories, ensuring compliance with LLNL laser safety policies, training requirements, and operational controls.
• Serve on expert committees and working groups that help guide NIF operations, contributing subject-matter expertise in laser processing, metrology, and optics handling.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, safety, and programmatic partners to prioritize work, align resources, and resolve technical and operational issues.
• Prepare and present technical reports, status updates, and recommendations to OMST and NIF leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Master’s degree in physics, optics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant experience working with laser-based systems and optical metrology in a research, industrial, or national laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated experience with large-aperture interferometers and interferometry…