Nuclear Systems Reliability Program Architect – Active Clearance Required

Company Description

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 diverse perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$218,700 - $332,772 Annually

$218,700 - $277,344 Annually for the SEL.4 level

$262,410 - $332,772 Annually for the SEL.5 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.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Nuclear Systems Reliability Program Architect with responsibilities for leading a large technical team applying advanced technical knowledge in support of ongoing operations and modifications in the Superblock, a DOE Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility. You will often be involved in supporting significant R&D projects, utilizing your knowledge and experience to assist in creating innovative solutions by managing and executing a diverse portfolio of technical projects. You will interact with all levels of management within, and external to, the Superblock to establish a wide range of projects, develop budgets, and manage execution. You will develop a team of technical staff that will apply mechanical engineering skills and judgement to maintain mechanical systems and programmatic equipment. You will develop a predictive reliability program with the goal of ensuring operational readiness and minimizing downtime for critical systems, which include scientific tools & diagnostics, containment ventilation, cryogenic liquids, compressed gases, gloveboxes, and fire suppression systems. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) within the Engineering Directorate.

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

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.

You Will

• Apply innovative methods and technologies to address a diverse range of highly complex problems, often requiring in-depth analysis of tangible and intangible factors.  In addition, you will lead the resolution of conflicting work requirements and prioritize tasks toward long-range targets.
• Support significant R&D projects by applying expert level knowledge, skills, and innovation to create mechanical solutions that are safe and compliant with DOE orders and specifications.
• Provide technical leadership and direction to the nuclear systems reliability managers, engineers, and technical staff in the planning, design, and execution of reliability programs, predictive maintenance tools, corrective maintenance actions, and facility and equipment upgrades, modifications, and improvements. 
• Oversee a portfolio of projects by exercising independent judgment in determining and applying methods and techniques, and utilizing latitude to establish and implement objectives and allocate resources.
• Provide high-level technical oversight over the teams performing calculations, analysis, and testing of programmatic and nuclear facility (balance of plant) equipment, including equipment vibration, thermography, equipment operational data trending, deriving post-maintenance testing plans, writing testing procedures, and performing safety calculations. 
• Develop, implement, and maintain a reliability-centered maintenance approach to maintenance activities to determine the optimal maintenance activity for each system and provide recommendations on system health and improvement through predictive maintenance.
• Lead and mentor a team of managers and technical personnel to ensure work is conducted safely and efficiently within established DOE and Superblock policies.
• Monitor performance required to meet critical project milestones abd deliverables, including leading corrective actions where necessary, ensuring projects’ activities are conducted safely and efficiently, and developing and managing projects’ scope, schedule, and budget.
• Lead and participate in the application of Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), a strategic approach to maintenance that identifies and analyzes potential equipment failures to determine the most appropriate maintenance strategy for each specific asset, and Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Inspectability (RAMI) analysis, an engineering framework to assess and improve the overall performance and effectiveness of complex systems throughout their design and operational phases
• Engage with stakeholders for requirements gathering and validation, and collaborate with Superblock management, programmatic leads, and facility managers to ensure adequate resources, align project objectives, and resolve conflicts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SEL.5 level

• Develop and implement new or creative ideas, performance metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and advanced techniques and approaches, and/or redefine requirements that impact organizational operation or direction.
• Exercise independent judgment and perform in-depth analysis of multiple tangible and intangible factors to provide advanced technical leadership and solutions to highly unusual, complex, and sensitive problems, and to assist in developing innovative methods/technologies that contribute to the execution of current and future facility needs.
• Perform high-level goal setting, determine evaluation criteria and resource allocation for long-range organizational objectives, and direct high level strategic plans to achieve program objectives.
• Serve as an organization spokesperson and senior technical expert for Laboratory management and/or as an external advisor for customers and sponsors, including serving on internal and external scientific or technical committees and positively representing the program and the Laboratory.
• Provide advice and influence high level strategic technical decisions made by senior management and external customers.

Qualifications

• 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 the time of hire.
• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering field such as Mechanical, Structural, Electrical or Civil Engineering or related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the application and development of innovative principles, theories, and concepts in nuclear systems reliability.
• Significant experience working at a hazard category 1 or 2 nuclear facility with technical responsibilities including performing or reviewing calculations (ex. load stress/strain, volumetric flow rates, face velocity checks, electric load calculations, or similar)
• Significant experience leading and managing a multi-disciplinary team of technical, scientific, and administrative staff members within nuclear facility engineering and maintenance programs.
• Expert communication, facilitation, collaboration, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills  to effectively lead a diverse multidisciplinary technical team, direct innovative research and operations, and provide strategic technical guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively build and motivate cooperative multi-disciplinary teams, and to interact, present, explain, influence, and advise internal and external DOE oversight and Superblock senior management on various operational issues and matters of signification to the organization.
• Significant experience and expert level skills in applying and leading configuration management practices as they pertain to nuclear safety.
• Expert level knowledge of conduct of engineering, conduct of maintenance, and conduct of operations with demonstrated significant experience in the effective implementation of each.

Additional qualifications at the SEL.5 level 

• Extensive experience successfully resolving highly unusual, complex, and/or sensitive technical or managerial issues that require in-depth analysis and creative and innovative approaches, methods, and technology.
• Extensive experience developing, implementing, and leading cutting-edge principles, theories, and concepts that have impact beyond the organization.
• Expert level knowledge of, and extensive experience in strategic planning, including defining and decision-making on significantly impactful matters, achieving a program’s overall objectives and long-range goals, and delivering impactful results.
• Extensive experience and ability to apply in-depth analysis skills and expertise in state-of-the-art principles, theories, concepts, and technologies.

Qualifications We Desire

• Advanced degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• Qualification as a Cognizant Systems Engineer in a nuclear facility
• Thorough knowledge of 10CFR830 and DOE policies, procedures, regulations, and standards, including DOE Order 420.1C, Facility Safety, DOE Order 422.1, Conduct of Operations, DOE Order 430.1C, Real Property Asset Management, and DOE Order 433.1B, Maintenance Management Program for DOE Nuclear Facilities.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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 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.

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.