Processing & Joining Metallurgist / Materials Engineer

About the role

The Processing and Joining Metallurgist/Materials Engineer develops, qualifies, and implements metallic joining and thermal processing methods for critical national security components. This role involves leading process development and metallurgical characterization, working with design, modeling, materials, and production organizations across LLNL and external production agencies.

Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and optimize metallic joining and thermal processing methods in a laboratory environment, including electron beam and laser welding, vacuum brazing, diffusion bonding, HIP, and heat treatment for steels, nickel-base alloys, and other structural alloys.
• Provide metallurgical engineering support for processing, materials selection, and property investigations.
• Participate in the design, setup, and operation of processing and joining systems, including fixture design, parameter development, and troubleshooting.
• Perform metallurgical characterization and joint evaluation using sample preparation, optical microscopy (SEM as appropriate), hardness testing, and mechanical testing (for example, tensile or bend tests) to assess quality and performance.
• Organize, analyze, and present data from experiments and process development activities to improve understanding of process, structure, and property relationships.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, technologists, designers, and production partners as part of integrated teams spanning design, analysis, prototyping, and production implementation.
• Integrate experimental results with analytical or computational models (for example, process models, thermal or stress analyses, or microstructure evolution tools) to inform process window development and production workflows.
• Travel up to approximately 20% to external production facilities (for example, Y-12, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Kansas City National Security Campus) to observe and support operations, review procedures, and provide feedback to LLNL program management and design teams.

Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience planning and executing experiments in metallic joining or thermal processing (for example, welding, brazing, diffusion bonding, HIP, or heat treatment), including data collection, analysis, and documentation.
• Strong understanding of the relationships among processing parameters, microstructure, and mechanical properties, and the ability to assess joint and material quality using microstructural observations and basic mechanical test data.
• Experience or training in microstructural characterization of metallic materials and/or joints, including sample preparation and optical microscopy, with familiarity with SEM or other advanced methods as a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary teams, communicate status and results, and incorporate feedback.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to prepare, present, and explain technical information.
• Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices and the ability to adapt to evolving priorities.
• Ability to travel to external production facilities to support program operations.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge and experience focused on metallic joining or thermal processing, or closely related roles.
• Experience developing, optimizing, or qualifying joining and processing methods (for example, high energy density welding, vacuum brazing, diffusion bonding, or HIP) in a laboratory or production setting.
• Experience working in quality-controlled or regulated environments (for example, DOE, aerospace, or nuclear), including the use of procedures, travelers, or work instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and execute joining and processing experiments and metallurgical characterization, interpret results, and recommend process or heat treatment improvements.
• Experience using, interpreting, or collaborating with analytical or computational models to guide process development and qualification decisions.
• Demonstrated increasing technical leadership (for example, leading small project efforts, coordinating cross-functional activities, or serving as a technical point of contact).

Skills

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Strong understanding of the relationships among processing parameters, microstructure, and mechanical properties, and the ability to assess joint and material quality using microstructural observations and basic mechanical test data.
• Experience or training in microstructural characterization of metallic materials and/or joints, including sample preparation and optical microscopy, with familiarity with SEM or other advanced methods as a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary teams, communicate status and results, and incorporate feedback.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to prepare, present, and explain technical information.
• Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices and the ability to adapt to evolving priorities.
• Ability to travel to external production facilities to support program operations.

Benefits

Includes benefits such as flexible benefits package, 401(k), relocation assistance, education reimbursement program, flexible schedules, and more.

Pay

Pay Range: $121,830 - $185,544 Annually $121,830 - $154,500 Annually for the SES.1 level $146,340 - $185,544 Annually for the SES.2 level

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

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

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