Aerospace Engineer

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

Pay Range

$117,180 - $178,392

$117,180 - $148,608 Annually for the SES.1 level

$140,700 - $178,392 Annually for the SES.2 level

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.

We have an opening for an Aerospace Engineer in support of hypersonics and reentry systems under the Flight Performance Integration (FPI) program. Activities include modeling and simulation of hypersonic re-entry bodies, early feasibility studies, flight testing, and software development. You will develop engineering solutions for aerodynamics and aerothermal analysis in support of these programs, from systems requirements trade studies through algorithm design and hardware integration, including test data analyses. This position is in the Computational Engineering Division (CED), within the Engineering Directorate.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role, you will

• Provide aerospace engineering support for the enduring and future weapons stockpile (both conventional and nuclear) assisting with aerodynamic, aerothermal/ablation, and/or trajectory analyses; associated post-processing; and presentation/documentation of results, while adhering to defined practices and procedures.
• Participate, collaborate, and contribute to the development of computational models, and provide support to teams performing analyses and research and development activities in advanced simulation capabilities that utilize state of the art computational techniques and leverage high performance supercomputers.
• Utilize fundamental engineering knowledge and defined practices and procedures to contribute to the development of models of weapon systems and assist teams with geometry and mesh creation, application of appropriate material models and properties, and evaluation of relevant flight conditions. Participate in the reporting of technical approaches and publishing activities as appropriate.
• Contribute to analyses that support or guide design, testing, modification, and optimization of mechanical components and systems. Participate in formal design reviews and informal peer reviews as required.
• Work under general direction to support teams of other analysts, code developers, engineers, and subject matter experts to solve problems of limited complexity, evaluating readily identifiable factors and using standard techniques and methodologies.
• Contribute to the fulfillment of technical projects and organizational objectives, collaborate with team members to provide input on deliverables, and regularly communicate the status and projected delivery date to ensure quality results are provided in accordance with established deadlines.
• Support programmatic deliverables with occasional travel, as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level

• Utilize comprehensive engineering knowledge and broad technical concepts and techniques to contribute to the development of models of weapon systems through geometry and mesh creation, selection or development of appropriate material models and properties, and determination of relevant flight conditions. Collaborate with teams to prepare reports of technical approaches and publish as appropriate.
• Work independently, as well as in conjunction with team members, to participate in the development and implementation of analysis workflow and quality practices, including workflow optimization, process standardization, configuration management of analysis files and software, and verification and validation (V&V) of models.
• Contribute to program vision and strategy by providing input on technical issues, recommending improvements, new ideas, and/or modifications, and exploring a variety of approaches to support direction and decisions made by self, team, management and/or external customers.
• Use independent judgment to provide solutions to problems of moderate complexity, using a variety of approaches within generally established methods.
• May mentor and provide guidance to junior staff analysts.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Fundamental knowledge of flight dynamics, aerothermodynamics, heat transfer, and ablation in reentry environments.
• Fundamental level skills and experience, and knowledge of concepts in (1) trajectory modeling software such as: GPOPS-II, OTIS, POST, TAOS, or similar, (2) hypersonic computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, including pre- and post-processing utilities, such as Pointwise, Ansys, Cart3D, US3D, Tecplot, Paraview, or similar, and (3) one or more of the following aerothermal response codes: FIAT, ATAC, CMA, or similar.
• Fundamental skills in the development of relevant principles, theories, concepts, and techniques in the solution of engineering problems of limited complexity.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills needed to effectively collaborate in a team environment, present and explain technical information, and document work.
• Ability to travel.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of, demonstrated full competency, and relevant project experience analyzing flight dynamics, aerothermodynamics, heat transfer, and ablation in reentry environments.
• Comprehensive level knowledge, skills, and experience in the development of relevant principles, theories, concepts, and techniques in the identification, definition, and solution of moderately complex engineering problems.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in determining optimal techniques, methods, and evaluation criteria for answering engineering questions and providing input on technical issues for specific projects.
• Experience participating in formal and informal design reviews.
• Proficient organizational, verbal, and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate with a multidisciplinary research team, interact with management, document executed work, and present and explain technical information.

Qualifications We Desire

• PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: uncertainty quantification; statistics; mechanical design codes such as ProE/Creo; finite element analysis codes (i.e. ABAQUS, ANSYS, LSDYNA, etc.); nuclear weapon system mechanical design details and materials; and/or technical management or business development.
• Programming experience, especially in Python, Java, C, Fortran, Perl, and/or Matlab.
• Experience in development of software in a version-controlled environment (e.g. git), including testing and documentation.

#LI-Hybrid

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 core beliefs - 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.