Target Fabrication Engineer

About the role

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 (as well as multiple subsequent times), a historic moment in science, opening up new physics regimes and setting the stage for new fusion energy possibilities.

Responsibilities

• Work under limited direction with moderate responsibility, use comprehensive knowledge, and exercise independent judgment to determine methods and recommend improvements within established frameworks and contribute to the fulfillment of project and organizational goals.
• Plan and execute moderately complex target engineering activities across the lifecycle, from concept and design through fabrication, assembly, metrology, qualification, and delivery, using project management and systems engineering tools.
• Develop and maintain target requirements, specifications, drawings, assembly procedures, metrology plans, verification methods, acceptance criteria, and technical documentation.
• Perform moderately complex engineering analyses, prototyping, experiments, and evaluations supporting target design, fabrication, assembly, metrology, safety, performance, and qualification.
• Interpret results and recommend improvements.
• Cook up with scientists, engineers, production personnel, vendors, manufacturers, and other internal and external stakeholders to resolve technical questions and maintain alignment with requirements, interfaces, and schedules.
• Audit manufacturability, fabrication constraints, component and tooling needs, metrology requirements, and supplier or production dependencies. Communicate impacts and recommend actions supporting readiness and successful builds.
• Support production teams during assembly, qualification, and verification activities by clarifying requirements, investigating technical issues, coordinating technical input, and supporting nonconformance resolution.
• Track and communicate technical, schedule, resource, quality, and production risks, actions, and decisions.

Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field or the equivalent combination of education and previous relevant experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge and competency in fabrication, manufacturing, metrology, systems engineering, project management, design, analysis, qualification, or related engineering disciplines.
• Comprehensive experience applying broad engineering principles to design modifications, analyses, prototyping, manufacturability assessments, metrology, process improvements, qualification, and technical coordination.
• Experience delivering multiple projects with defined priorities, budgets, schedules, and technical requirements, and adapting to changes in scope/schedule/budget definition.
• Ability to successfully perform independent work with limited direction within scope of the assignment.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in an Engineering discipline or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Certification in Project Management, such as PMP or Systems Engineering certification.
• Experience in precision engineering design and manufacturing.
• Knowledge of ANSI/ASME standards for testing machine tools or coordinate measuring machines.

Skills

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Comprehensive knowledge and competency in fabrication, manufacturing, metrology, systems engineering, project management, design, analysis, qualification, or related engineering disciplines.
• Comprehensive experience applying broad engineering principles to design modifications, analyses, prototyping, manufacturability assessments, metrology, process improvements, qualification, and technical coordination.
• Experience delivering multiple projects with defined priorities, budgets, schedules, and technical requirements, and adapting to changes in scope/schedule/budget definition.
• Ability to successfully perform independent work with limited direction within scope of the assignment.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information and provide advice to management.

Benefits

• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

Pay

• $146,340 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.2 level
• $175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 level

Schedule

• Full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.