Mechanical Technologist/Senior Mechanical Technologist

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 - $61.5 7Hourly

$41.93 - $51.33 Hourly for the 533.2 Level 

$50.28 - $61.5 7Hourly for the 533.3 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 a Mechanical Technologist/Sr. Mechanical Technologist to provide general technical and mechanical support for on-going experiments involving explosives and energetic materials. Work may involve Beryllium, radioactive materials, other hazardous materials, classified parts and documents. Under general supervision in a team environment, you will field experiments and operate key equipment at LLNL’s  Site 300 Experimental Firing Facilities located in Tracy, CA. This position is in the Facilities Operations and Support (FOS) Division within 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, assembling, setting up and aligning experimental hardware, stands, and fixtures; preparing the facility and diagnostic equipment, overseeing diagnostic connections to explosive assemblies, and establishing and maintaining area controls.
• Perform precision diagnostic alignment and validation prior to experiment execution and performing data recovery and area re-entry after experiment execution.
• Perform facility related and technical functions such as troubleshooting, maintenance, testing, and reconfiguration of firing tables, firing chambers, and support systems such as ventilation, vacuum, hydraulics, control equipment, and interlock systems.
• Author and maintain systems documentation and experimental records, operational procedures and technical documents.
• Control and manage hazardous and radioactive materials used and wastes generated by operations.
• Provide general mechanical and/or electro-mechanical fabrication support.
• Ensure that support and experimental areas are kept clean, uncluttered, and orderly.
• Operate forklift and rigging devices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional 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 safety, security, diagnostic capability, quality, and efficiency.
• Provide advanced technical support for the assembly and disassembly of complex systems.
• Design, fabricate, assemble, and disassemble complex mechanical components and systems including planning and selecting materials, equipment, and methods.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-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.
• Experience in mechanical fabrication and assembly.
• Ability to read and follow engineering notes, sketches, and drawings.
• Ability to operate hand/power tools, lift up to 50 lbs. safely, and become medically qualified to wear respiratory and other protective equipment, and perform moderate work effort while wearing full-face respirator.
• Ability to complete and maintain the following qualifications: explosives handler, chamber and firing table operator, high-speed camera operator, and/or radiation generating device operator, Rad Worker (II), and Beryllium Worker.
• Experience with office computers and related software, i.e. Windows, MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and inventory databases.
• 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 oversee, provide technical direction to, train and mentor other team members to complete complex and hazardous operations.
• Ability to analyze hazards and develop appropriate level controls and prepare work control documents.
• Experience and high-level understanding of the science of explosives and fielding explosive experiments.

Qualifications We Desire

• Active Q clearance.
• High Explosives Handler.
• Experience handling explosives and fielding explosives experiments.
• Experience with chemicals, hazardous, and radiological materials, and experience with Radiological contamination control.

#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

Site 300

Site 300 is an experimental test site operated by LLNL.  Situated on 7,000 acres in rural foothills approximately six miles southwest of downtown Tracy and 15 miles southeast of Livermore, Site 300 hosts approximately 200 employees with expertise in such fields as engineering, chemistry, biology, and environmental restoration. Employees assigned to work at Site 300 may be exposed to the organism that causes San Joaquin Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis).

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.