Control Systems Engineer

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have an opening for a Control Systems Engineer to support research and development (R&D) activities and major equipment installations in a DOE Hazard Category 2 and 3 nuclear facility. You will provide engineering solutions for developing, implementing, commissioning, and maintaining control systems that support facility, process, utility, safety, and production operations. You will contribute to the design and deployment of new control systems and system upgrades that improve operational capability, reliability, maintainability, and safety.

You will often be involved in supporting significant R&D projects, applying your expertise and creating innovative solutions. This position will report programmatically to the Superblock and administratively to the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) within the Engineering Directorate.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

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.

You will

• Under limited direction, apply comprehensive knowledge, and exercise independent judgment to determine methods and recommend improvements within established frameworks.
• Provide hardware and software solutions for control systems supporting facility and process operations. Responsibilities may include utility systems, safety systems, machine protection systems, process equipment, material handling systems, instrumentation, data acquisition, and facility monitoring and control systems.
• Support the design, documentation, deployment, integration, testing, commissioning, and maintenance of control systems.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, technicians, designers, facility personnel, operations teams, and project leaders to develop and maintain effective control solutions.
• Provide technical input on control system requirements, architectures, and designs through formal and informal design reviews.
• Contribute to software and hardware design, implementation, testing, and deployment in accordance with configuration management and quality requirements.
• Develop and implement improvements to control system architectures, processes, standards, and frameworks.
• Collaborate with system managers, project teams, and software testers to develop and execute commissioning and acceptance test procedures.
• Support control systems operations by troubleshooting issues, identifying root causes, and implementing corrective actions.
• Support planned work, system upgrades, and equipment modifications that affect moderately complex control systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Independently, with minimal direction, establish objectives, prioritize parallel tasks, allocate resources, and develop innovative methods and technologies to support projects
• Provide control system solutions to complex problems through in-depth analysis and independent judgment.
• Lead complex troubleshooting activities by analyzing system behavior, diagnosing root causes, evaluating corrective actions, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to restore reliable operation.
• Conduct Failure Modes and Effects Analysis and other risk-based evaluations to identify system vulnerabilities and guide control system and process improvements.
• Provide technical leadership and oversight for control system design, production, integration, commissioning, testing, and maintenance activities.
• Mentor junior staff and guide work performed by engineers, technicians, and project team members.
• Lead project teams in the development, integration, and deployment of control system solutions.
• Coordinate with vendors and external organizations, as appropriate, to define requirements, resolve technical issues, and deliver project objectives.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, a controls-related engineering discipline, or a related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of hardware and software solutions for industrial, research, facility, and process control systems.
• Broad experience developing data acquisition, instrumentation, automation, and control systems, including sensors, actuators, PLCs, SCADA/HMI systems, and LabVIEW applications.
• Experience developing control software for data processing, calibration, equipment control, automation sequences, interlocks, and test or production applications.
• Broad experience supporting control systems throughout the engineering lifecycle, from design and integration through commissioning, operation, and maintenance.
• Experience applying documentation standards to drawings, procedures, requirements, statements of work, test plans, and technical reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience collaborating in multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, technicians, designers, facility personnel, and operations staff.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Previous experience developing control system requirements, test plans, complex hardware or software solutions for process, facility, or industrial control systems.
• Advanced communication, facilitation, and collaboration, interpersonal, and negotiation skills necessary to effectively present, explain, provide strategic technical advice, build consensus, and influence senior management, external sponsors, regulators, reviewers, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead independent work and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Significant experience troubleshooting complex control systems in an operating environment and identifying root causes.
• Experience mentoring engineers and technicians and providing technical guidance to project teams.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Controls Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience supporting industrial, manufacturing, production, research, or nuclear facility environments.
• Experience with process automation, facility controls, utilities, equipment integration, or production systems.
• Experience modernizing legacy control systems and migrating obsolete hardware or software platforms.
• Experience applying Failure Modes and Effects Analysis or other risk-based engineering methods.
• Understanding of systems engineering concepts, including requirements management, interfaces, verification, validation, and configuration management.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols, distributed control systems, PLCs, SCADA platforms, HMIs, or supervisory data systems.

Pay Range

$146,340 - $222,564 Annually
$146,340 - $185,544 Annually for the SES2 level
$175,530 - $222,564 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.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 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.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

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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.

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