Control Systems Hardware Lead

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 are seeking a Lead Control Systems Hardware Engineer to join the team at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), home of the world’s largest and most energetic laser system. In this role, you will lead the Controls Hardware team that enables NIF’s cutting-edge scientific missions and day-to-day operations. Reporting to the Controls Engineering and Maintenance (CEM) group lead within the NIF Control Systems (NFCS) section, you will play a central role in both the technical direction and practical execution of control hardware engineering at NIF.

With over 60,000 control points deployed across a wide range of hardware platforms, NIF’s performance depends on rigorous, reliable, and innovative control solutions. In this role, you will operate in a unique engineering environment where large scale control systems and nationally significant scientific missions come together, and your leadership will directly support NIF’s ability to operate safely and efficiently.

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

In this role, you will 

• Lead teams, programs, or functions with a technical focus, work independently with minimal direction, use advanced knowledge and team leadership experience, take significant responsibility, and exercise judgment within established policies to monitor workflow, allocate resources, ensure timely completion of projects, and achieve objectives while managing organizational impact.
• Lead a team of approximately ten control systems hardware engineers and technicians tasked with maintaining, upgrading, and developing control systems hardware throughout the NIF.
• Serve as the final review authority for control systems hardware designs deployed in the NIF, ensuring design quality, adherence to standards, and proper depth of documentation.
• Partner with CEM Team Leads and the CEM Group Lead to develop and optimize processes for work intake, project estimation, resource management, and knowledge retention.
• Provide expert level control system hardware solutions for complex NIF subsystems and serve as a mentor for other control systems hardware engineers in the group in a consultative capacity.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for control systems hardware across the NIF, setting technical strategy for projects supporting control system maintenance and upgrades.
• Lead formal and informal design reviews and team efforts, providing guidance and technical direction in developing complex control systems hardware.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline related to electronics, electrical engineering, control systems, or a related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced level knowledge of and significant experience in the design of complex control systems hardware architectures, including one or multiple of the following areas:
  • Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based control systems.
  • Industrial analog and digital circuit design for incorporation into controls/instrumentation hardware, including design of embedded hardware such as microcontrollers, FPGAs, etc.
  • Design and specification of industrial computer systems such as VME, VPX, and PC/104.
• Demonstrated experience reading, interpreting, and generating design documents including drawings, procedures, statements of work and test plans. 
• Advanced experience reviewing and providing consultative feedback for design documents generated by others.
• Advanced experience supporting control systems throughout the full engineering lifecycle, including design, assembly, integration, testing, and maintenance.
• Significant experience defining scope from often not well defined and/or rapidly changing requirements, including demonstrated ability and flexibility in reprioritizing and changing programmatic direction depending on emergent needs.
• Demonstrated experience leading project execution and directing the work of others, including technicians and engineers. 
• Advanced experience mentoring junior engineers and developing frameworks or standards for control systems hardware and/or software.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing a team of technical staff, including training, coaching, career and performance management.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate technical information and enable close collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams, including project team members, control systems leadership, and other stakeholders across the organization.

Pay Range

$189,660 - $240,528 Annually

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-Onsite

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.

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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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