Cryogenic Operations Gas Process Engineer

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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.

Job DescriptionWe have an opening for a Cryogenic Operations Gas Process Engineer. You will commission and maintain operational status of the various vacuum and cryogenic processes related to the successful fielding of ignition and other types of targets for the Target Experimental Operations group on the National Ignition Facility within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate. You will be a technical expert in the areas of process gas behavior in cryogenic regimes including mitigation of potential hazards to maintain operational readiness. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division of the Engineering Directorate.

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

You will Function independently with minimal direction, taking significant responsibility and using advanced knowledge and judgment to establish objectives, prioritize parallel tasks, allocate resources, and collaborate in the development of innovative methods/technology to guide the completion of projects and contribute to the development of organizational goals.

Collaborate and serve as a primary technical contributor within multi‑disciplinary teams to commission, sustain, and improve NIF facility sub‑systems, including gas supply, vacuum, cryogenic, and control systems, providing solutions to complex problems requiring in‑depth analysis of tangible and intangible factors.

Independently develop, document, execute, and troubleshoot complex and not‑well‑defined production processes, applying innovative methods and independent judgment to support cryogenic and other target shots.

Develop and optimize gas‑inventory management strategies, including forecasting, procurement, sampling, and control approaches, ensuring alignment with programmatic priorities and operational readiness.

Act as a primary technical contact for scientific personnel, providing expert guidance on experimental design challenges and contributing to the development of innovative methods and incremental advancement of knowledge.

Lead development of requirements, test plans, and validation strategies for automated process‑control systems, and ensuring robust implementation and commissioning.

Provide technical direction to technicians and early‑career staff, ensuring alignment with complex engineering requirements and serving as a mentor and technical resource.

Independently develop, review, and enhance operating and maintenance procedures for complex systems, integrating advanced technical judgment and ensuring alignment with safety and compliance requirements.

Present technical findings to mid‑level internal management, multidisciplinary peers, and sponsor representatives; represent the organization as a primary technical contact on assigned tasks.

Collaborate across organizational lines to develop innovative methods and technologies, contributing to advancement of knowledge and supporting organizational technical goals.

Evaluate and guide experiment safety boundaries, applying advanced technical expertise to assess gas‑target interactions and ensure safe and effective experimental conditions.

Serve as a technical expert responding to off‑normal gas‑operations conditions, providing independent analysis and high‑consequence decision support that significantly influences operational outcomes.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QualificationsAbility to secure and maintain a

U.S. DOE

Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.

Bachelor's degree in Materials, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering or the equivalent combination of education and previous relevant experience.

Significant knowledge and experience utilizing sound engineering principles to provide practical solutions to complex problems.

Significant experience providing technical insight, oversight, and direction as it relates to solving problems in the field that involve complex chemical processes, vacuum systems, and preferably cryogenic systems governed by chemical kinetics, transport effects, overall mass and energy balances, and process/system economics. Advanced knowledge of cryogenic processes, gas handling systems, and process controls, and the behavior of gases at cryogenic temperatures.

Significant experience in deploying automated process controls, development of interlocks, and automated processes.

Significant experience in production operations and process development.

Advanced experience using PC and/or Macintosh computers to collect, analyze, and document scientific results.

Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to communicate effectively and collaborate with technical support personnel on requirements, design, safety, construction, or modification of process, pilot-scale equipment or systems, and present and explain technical information and provide advice to management.

Qualifications We DesireMaster's degree in Materials, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering.

Experience with handling radioactive and/or flammable gases/materials.

Pay Range$175,530 - $222,564 AnnuallyThis is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. 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.

Additional Information#LI-OnsitePosition InformationThis 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 Package401(k)Relocation AssistanceEducation Reimbursement ProgramFlexible schedules (•depending on project needs)Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values Security ClearanceThis 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 TestExternal 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 DevicesPer 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 advertisementsPlease 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 OpportunityWe 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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