Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC)/Flight Dynamics Software Developer

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

$140,700 - $214,032

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

$168,780 - $214,032 Annually for the SES.3 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 a Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC)/Flight Dynamics Software Developer in support of the Flight Performance Integration (FPI) program. FPI supports LLNL weapon system design and assessments with modeling and simulation utilizing custom in-house computational codes. You will perform code development work focused on a Python modeling environment (library) to generate an integrated tool to interface with multiple engineering solvers and post-processing applications. This will involve developing methods and tools to streamline the engineering workflow, facilitate automation, and provide drop-in automated data extraction. This work prepares for a planned AI driven virtual design assistant. 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 responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role, you will

• Contribute to and actively participate in the conception, development, implementation, execution, and documentation of new aerospace engineering analysis capabilities, such as optimal control, advanced 3DoF trajectory optimization, 6DoF trajectory optimization, and autopilot design software.
• Support concept trade studies and assist in deriving GN&C requirements for future systems.
• Collaborate with team members and contribute to the development of tools for managing CFD, Trajectory, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and other numerical modeling workflows including preprocessing, post-processing, and data management, as well as providing input, recommending enhancements, and solving problems of moderate complexity using creativity with established or innovative methods.
• Perform analysis on a variety of flight modeling related tools with an emphasis on assembling them to enable novel analysis at scale utilizing high-performance computing (HPC) resources.
• Deliver results to, engage with, and provide support to engineering and flight modeling analysts including debugging problems, providing alternative solutions, and enabling quick feature implementation.
• Document methods and implementation methodologies, activities, sequences, and requirements in both informal and formal reports and presentations.
• Share relevant knowledge, analysis, and recommendations in collaboration with internal and external scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer scientists through reviews and working groups, including interfacing with other development teams working on tools that support analysis workflows.
• Balance multiple projects/tasks and priorities of customers and partners to ensure deadlines are met, while working independently with limited direction within the scope of the assignment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Independently determine technical objectives and criteria to satisfy project deliverables and execute the appropriate technical approaches.
• Solve abstract and complex problems as required, using in-depth analysis, and drawing from advanced level technical knowledge, best practices, and both routine and innovative techniques and approaches to guide and ensure successful completion of project and organizational goals.
• Represent the organization as the primary technical contact by sharing relevant knowledge, providing opinions and recommendations, and exerting influence to fulfill deliverables as a team.
• Lead and mentor junior staff, student fellows, and summer student researchers.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Master’s degree in engineering, computational science, applied math, physics, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge, proficiency, experience, and demonstrated programming skills in Python, C, C++, FORTRAN, or similar languages.
• Broad and comprehensive understanding of computational vehicle dynamics via 3-DoF and/or 6-DoF flight/reentry modeling including familiarity with aerodynamic performance coefficients.
• Proficient interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills necessary to work and collaborate effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment and to present and explain technical information to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to travel.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Advanced level knowledge and significant experience in computational modeling, including significant experience in developing modeling & simulation tools for aerospace applications.
• Significant experience using one or more programming languages such as Python, C/C++, FORTRAN, or other object oriented programming (OOP) languages.
• Ability to independently develop and execute complex analyses and to prepare and finalize tailored reports.
• Advanced verbal and written communication, presentation, and interfacing skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information and provide advice to management.

Qualifications We Desire

• PhD in engineering, computational science, applied math, physics, or related field.
• Experience conducting computational analysis in a multi-physics context and with software on massively parallel systems, particularly in the areas of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and/or structural mechanics.
• Experience in development of software in a version-controlled environment (e.g. git), including testing, documentation, and software user support.
• Experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g. torch/pytorch, tensorflow, jax) and models, as well as training and fine-tuning models and one or more of the following: non-linear programming and optimization, uncertainty quantification, Bayesian learning, UI/UX design.

#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.