Controls Engineer - Industrial systems, NIF

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

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.

We have an opening for a Controls Engineer to support the Controls Engineering and Maintenance group. This work will take place within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate, home to the world’s most energetic laser. It is an exciting time to join the team that achieved fusion ignition, a historic moment in science, opening new physics regimes and setting the stage for new fusion energy possibilities.

You will develop, implement, and maintain industrial control systems, primarily programmable logic controller (PLC) based, ranging from discrete to complex automated system controls. The team supports a variety of applications including utility systems, such as ultra‑high vacuum systems and cooling systems, laser diagnostics systems, machine protection systems, access control system, and personnel safety interlocked systems. Platforms include Rockwell Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and some OEM systems.

These positions are in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.

• Function independently with minimal direction, taking significant responsibility and using advanced knowledge and judgment to establish objectives, prioritize parallel tasks, allocate resources, and collaborate in the development of innovative methods/technology to guide the completion of projects and contribute to the development of organizational goals.
• Provide control system solutions for complex problems using in‑depth analysis and independent judgment.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop and maintain control system requirements.
• Provide software solutions for device level controls, automated processes, and supervisory applications of complex systems including controller application and graphical user interface.
• Participate in formal and informal code and design reviews.
• Contribute to software development by following strict configuration management processes.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers in the design of industrial controls systems by identifying hardware, software, and communication protocols to provide robust and maintainable device/controller interface solutions.
• Partner with hardware installers to assure proper integration with associated software.
• Collaborate with system managers and/or software tester to develop and execute test procedures.
• Utilize advanced technical knowledge to support complex troubleshooting efforts.
• Conduct Failure Modes and Effects Analysis Research and perform in‑depth analysis to advance the architecture of the control systems.
• Mentor junior staff and provide oversight and guidance into production and commissioning activities on subsystems.
• Participate in an on‑call rotation to support the operations team outside of regular business hours.
• May lead project teams in the development and deployment of control solutions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q‑level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science or related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced experience developing complex applications for control system automation; collaborating with stakeholders and following configuration management processes to design and develop control system requirements, test plans, and prepare user documentation.
• Advanced experience and proficiency with the application, use, and programming of programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
• Experience in using and…