Senior Optical Component Materials Scientist

We have an opening for a Senior Optical Component Materials Scientist to be a project manager of a multi-disciplinary team in the final process development, vendor qualification, and pilot & production implementation of a newly developed optically address light valve (OALV) device to be used on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) as a beam-based programmable spatial shaper (BBPSS). This position also includes additional research and development assignments in the S&T program in Optics & Materials Science & Technology (OMST) group for developing new optics technologies. This position is in the Optical Materials Group in the Materials for Emerging Applications and Extreme Conditions section of the Materials Science Division in the Physical & Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate matrixed to OMST within the NIF & Photon Science Directorate.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home 2 days per week. 

You will

• Provide technical and business leadership of the supplier base to manufacture NIF optical components, specifically the OALV, including defining requirements, developing new processes & tooling, directing process optimization, and leading the transition from development into production.
• Own and manage scope, budget, schedule and data management of the fabrication and build of the OALVs, including prioritization of tasks and resources across multiple vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Lead cross‑functional integration with the programmable spatial shaper (PSS) R&D team to plan and execute the transition of prototype devices to robust pilot and production‑level manufacturing.
• Collaborate at a senior level with PSS physics and integration teams to define and negotiate device requirements, acceptable yield targets, and installation plans on NIF, and to resolve high‑impact technical and integration issues.
• Lead root‑cause analysis and yield‑improvement initiatives, applying advanced materials knowledge of device components, especially the transparent photoconductor in the OALV device, and define and drive corrective action plans across vendors and internal teams.
• Analyze moderately complex to highly complex data from optics production operations with the goal of improving the process and process yields.
• Direct technicians to design, build or modify specialized process equipment, and review and approve critical design and operational decisions.
• Prepare written analyses and verbal briefings that capture and communicate research results as well as periodic progress reports, including presentations for program management and external reviews. Analyze vendor production control methods for weaknesses and make recommendations to realize high quality components and/or lower unit cost.
• Work with optical coordination staff to track vendor performance, additional onsite metrology, optic location, and archive metrology data.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers, scientists, and technicians in a team‑ and project‑oriented environment, influencing technical direction across disciplines while contributing as a senior individual contributor.
• In addition to OALVs, conduct and lead some advanced research and development of other optic technologies within OMST
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals and present results at external conferences, seminars and/or technical meetings.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• PhD in Chemical Engineering, or a related field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience
• Extensive experience applying chemical engineering principles to achieve process development and process improvement goals with external visibility.
• Comprehensive experience performing production of complex optical components (e.g. OALVs), serving as a technical authority for specification, fabrication, measurement, and testing (e.g., interferometry, photometry, laser damage testing, surface quality)
• Demonstrated ability to apply broad knowledge of transport phenomena and chemical kinetics to diagnose and resolve complex performance or yield issues in production environments.
• Experience in pilot‑plant‑scale operations and process development, including design of experiments, scale‑up strategy, and risk mitigation for transitioning to full production.
• Expert verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate across disciplines, lead technical discussions and design reviews, present and explain complex technical information to management and sponsors, and provide authoritative technical advice.
• Extensive experience necessary to work in a collaborative research environment and influence and align a diverse set of scientists, contractors, engineers, technicians, and other technical and administrative staff toward common objectives.

Pay Range

$227,430 - $288,396 Annually

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.

Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Flexible Term appointment, which is for a definite period not to exceed six years.  If final candidate is a Career Indefinite employee, Career Indefinite status may be maintained (should funding allow).

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 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. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

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.

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.