Senior Optical Metrology Engineer

Qualifications

• We Desire
• Master’s in Physics, Optics, Engineering, and/or related experience in optical fabrication and finishing science.
• Experience working with off-site vendors in strategically developing new metrology tools.
• Significant knowledge and technical experience in the use of CNC sub-aperture tool grinders, CNC sub-aperture tool polishers, and MRF polishing including potential material interactions during grinding and mechanical & chemical polishing.
• Experience in optics design and manufacturing.
• Experience in measuring and evaluating optic specifications (scratch/dig, wavefront, power spectral density (PSD), roughness, and Zernike terms).
• Pay Range
• $175,530 - $267,060 Annually
• $175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 level
• $210,630 - $267,060 Annually for the SES.4 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-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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• 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.
• Reasonable Accommodation
• Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.
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• The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.
• 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Optics, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and previous relevant optical metrology and/or optical fabrication experience.
• Advanced knowledge of process engineering and continuous improvement principles, including structured problem solving and root cause analysis, to support vendor and in-house metrology process analysis and problem resolution.
• Advanced experience with highly complex optical metrology techniques including interferometric measurements, photometry, spectrophotometry, group delay dispersion, scatter, and radiometry.
• Advanced hands-on experience and knowledge of optical metrology measurements in a production environment including highly complex instrument troubleshooting and data analysis techniques and developing process flow work instructions using measured data.
• Experience with commercial metrology software packages such as 4Sight, MetroPro, or Mx.
• Experience analyzing large historical datasets using statistical tools (such as Python/MATLAB) to identify trends, assess process stability, and support troubleshooting of tool or optic performance issues.
• Subject matter expertise in IDL, MATLAB, or/and LabView programming.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment which includes scientists, engineers, technicians, and vendors.
• Advanced interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information including providing advice to senior management.
• Advanced knowledge of optical design codes (Code V, ZEMAX, FRED, OSLO, or equivalent) to analyze optical metrology configurations for component testing
• Advanced knowledge and significant experience in complex evaluation, monitoring, and experiments of large precision metrology instruments including estimating project schedules and project management functions.
• Subject matter expertise and substantial knowledge in process improvement, highly complex problem resolution, negotiation, and leadership.
• Subject matter expertise of non-linear optical processes (frequency conversion), laser damage processes and diffraction theory