Explosives Firing Tank Operator

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

$41.93 - $61.57 Hourly 

$41.93 - $51.33 Hourly for the 533.2 Level 

$50.28 - $61.57 Hourly for the 533.2 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.

We have an opening for an Explosives Firing Tank Operator to provide general technical and mechanical support for experiments involving explosives and energetic materials. Under general supervision, you will perform field experiments and operate key equipment at the High Explosives Applications Facility. This position is in Facilities Operations and Support Division in the Strategic Deterrence Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

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 

• Work closely with scientific personnel and experimentalists to plan and conduct experiments by fabricating experiments, stands, and fixtures; preparing the facility and diagnostic equipment, receiving the experiment, and maintaining area controls.
• Assist with diagnostic alignment and testing prior to experiment execution and performing data recovery and area re-entry after experiment execution.
• Perform facility related and technical functions such as maintenance, testing, and reconfiguration of firing tanks, firing chambers, gas/powder guns and support systems such as ventilation, vacuum, hydraulics, control equipment, and interlock systems.
• Maintain systems documentation and experimental records and author operational procedures and technical documents.
• Control and manage hazardous and radioactive materials used and wastes generated by operations.
• Provide general mechanical and/or electronic fabrication support.
• Ensure that support and experimental areas are kept clean, uncluttered, and orderly.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the 533.3 level

• Act independently and/or direct others to ensure work is conducted in an efficient manner.
• Propose and implement solutions for conducting experiments in a manner that improves diagnostic capability and quality, safety, security, and efficiency.
• Provide advanced technical support for gas and powder gun experiments.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE X-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship. 
• Associate's degree in Engineering Technology, undergraduate studies applicable to the position, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Ability to efficiently work multiple tasks and interact effectively with a diverse set of personalities and disciplines while following policies and procedures.
• Ability to complete and maintain the following qualifications: explosives handler, firing tank operator, high-speed camera operator, and/or radiation generating device operator, Rad Worker (II), and Beryllium Worker.
• Ability to read and follow engineering notes, sketches, and drawings.
• Experience with office computers and related software, i.e. Windows, MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and inventory databases.
• Ability to operate hand/power tools, lift 50 lbs. safely, and become medically qualified to wear respiratory and other protective equipment, and perform moderate work effort while wearing full-face respirator.
• Effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills, and the ability to work constructively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Additional qualifications at the 533.3 level

• Ability to supervise, provide technical direction to, and train other team members to complete complex and hazardous operations.
• Ability to plan assignments and prepare work control documents.
• Experience and high level understanding of the science of explosives and explosive experiments.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience handling explosives and fielding explosives experiments.
• Experience with chemicals, hazardous, and radiological materials, and experience with Radiological contamination control.
• Experience with ballistics, rifles, and other weapons currently fielded by military forces and experience conducting/coordinating live-fire experiments with small-large caliber weapons.

#LI-Onsite

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 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. 

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