Laser Modeling Physicist

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 Annually

$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 are seeking a Laser Modeling Physicist within our Laser Science and Systems Engineering Program to participate in the research, development, and modeling of advanced solid state laser technology, and high energy laser design for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF). This work will take place within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate, home to the world’s most energetic laser.  It is an exciting time to join the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022, a historic moment in science, opening up new physics regimes and setting the stage for new Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) possibilities.

You will perform design, modeling, and commissioning of cutting-edge laser technology development and potentially execute experiments to verify and validate advanced laser concepts relevant to ICF laser driver architectures, laser propagation/amplification, linear and nonlinear optics and laser matter interaction research. This position is in the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS) Principal Associate Directorate (PAD).

In this role you will

• Contribute to the development of advanced laser physics and nonlinear optics models coupled with the existing LLNL beam propagation code VBL++ (Virtual Beam Line) running on both single and extreme parallel-processor high performance computers with the goal to optimize designs for NIF & Next Generation of High Energy Density (NG-HED) facilities and ICF-IFE architectures.
• Collaborate with the Computer Science team and provide solutions to experiments that will validate the physics captured in the thermo-mechanical codes used to predict the impact of thermal and mechanical effects on beam quality (wavefront and polarization) at the component level and at the system level, when coupled with VBL++.
• Work within a dynamic team environment to document research; publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results within the DOE community and at conferences.
• Utilize independent judgement along with scientific methods and techniques, contributing to the fulfillment of research and development in one or more of the following areas:  Modeling and experimental testing  of optical parametric short pulse amplifiers, chirped pulse amplification, solid state laser materials science, high-speed electro-optics devices, atmospheric beam propagation, frequency conversion and non-linear optics, and design of advanced laser architectures for NG-HED in support of National Security missions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Utilize in-depth analysis, contributing to the development of experimental campaigns to enhance NIF performance.
• Conduct technical tasks for advanced laser models using innovative methods and subject knowledge. Work includes expansion beyond the state of the VBL++ art (e.g., related to nonlinear stimulated processes, or nonlinear optics interaction in non-paraxial regime).

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Ph.D. in Optical Sciences, Physics, Engineering or Mathematics or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge in experimental physics in one or more of the following areas: solid state lasers, laser cavities, short pulse laser technology, frequency conversion, non-linear optics, crystal optics, atmospheric beam propagation, thermo-mechanical finite-element calculations interfaced with optical performance.
• Comprehensive problem solving, decision making, and analytical skills, necessary to anticipate, analyze, advise, recommend, and approve appropriate actions and implement solutions to moderately complex to complex issues or laser designs.
• Broad experience with MATLAB, Python and/or similar scripting and data analysis tools and the ability to write beam propagation, nonlinear optics, or amplification codes.
• Broad experience and comprehensive knowledge in signal and image processing of laser diagnostics signals.
• Broad experience with scientific research and development.
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Advanced knowledge and hands-on experience in short-pulse laser physics and nonlinear optics as applied to laser applications and operations.
• Advanced problem solving, troubleshooting, decision making, and analytical skills necessary to anticipate, analyze, advise, recommend, and approve appropriate actions and implement solutions to complex issues.
• Advanced experience with scientific research and development.
• Ability to augment laser physics, nonlinear optics modeling to increase VBL++ modeling capabilities.

Qualifications we desire

• Knowledge of laser architectures, technological limitations, and machine safety aspects of large, distributed, high energy and high peak power laser facilities.
• Experience in planning and directing work with technical objectives, estimating effort, and setting milestones.
• Experience in the development of scientific software (ideally C++) applied to laser physics and nonlinear optics problems.

#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.

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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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