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Physics World · 1 day ago

Mechanical/Structural Analyst

Livermore, CA

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid, Senior Level

$141K/yr - $214K/yr

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is seeking Mechanical/Structural Analysts with expertise in solid mechanics and finite element analysis to contribute to national security initiatives. The role involves performing computational modeling and simulation to evaluate structural responses and supporting engineering design and certification of nuclear weapon systems.

Publishing

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Contribute to and actively participate in the conception, development, implementation, execution, and documentation of FEA models of structural systems and their mechanical components, with emphasis on state-of-the-art computational techniques and constitutive modeling to evaluate the responses of structures and materials subjected to thermal, time-dependent displacement, and structural loads

Perform engineering analysis with limited guidance using FEA models and other solution methods to support stakeholders in design, modification, optimization, testing, and certification of nuclear weapon systems

Thoroughly document solution approaches, activities, sequences, requirements, and implementation practices including corresponding engineering assumptions, and present and explain analysis results to the team, as well as internal and external stakeholders

Collaborate and communicate with multi-disciplinary teams of engineering analysts, code developers, design engineers, and subject matter experts using established workflows, standards, and verification/validation best practices to solve moderately complex technical problems with limited direction within the scope of the assignment

Participate in and contribute to design reviews, training, briefings, or other program-related events, including describing analyses, input assumptions, potential enhancements, and current limitations during meetings with sponsors, other DOE Laboratories, and U.S. government agencies, which will require occasional travel

Perform other duties as assigned

Provide technical leadership and guidance to project teams developing state of the art methods and applying research results to meet programmatic goals, while balancing priorities of customers and partners to ensure deadlines are met

Solve abstract and complex problems as required, using in-depth analysis, and drawing from advanced level technical knowledge, best practices, and both routine and innovative techniques and approaches

Serve as the primary technical point of contact for program managers internally and at sponsor and partner organizations by sharing relevant advanced level knowledge, providing opinions and recommendations on methodologies, and exerting influence as needed to fulfill deliverables and best meet sponsor needs

Mentor and advise LLNL scientists and engineers in finite element analysis best practices

Qualification

Finite Element AnalysisComputational Structural MechanicsContinuum MechanicsCommercial FEA ToolsTechnical LeadershipIndependent JudgmentMulti-disciplinary TeamworkAnalytical SkillsTravel FlexibilityPython ProgrammingMATLAB ProgrammingGit Version ControlInterpersonal SkillsCommunication SkillsOrganizational SkillsTeam CollaborationProblem SolvingMentoringPresentation SkillsTechnical Documentation

Required

Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship

Master's degree in mechanical, structural, or aerospace engineering, or structural/applied mechanics, or related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience

Proficient interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills necessary to perform required duties, work and collaborate in a multidisciplinary team environment, and to present and explain technical information to a wide variety of audiences

Broad and comprehensive knowledge of continuum mechanics (or advanced solid mechanics) and the finite element method, including proficiency and experience with commercial FEA tools (LS-DYNA, ABAQUS, ANSYS, ADINA or similar) or NNSA national laboratory codes (ParaDyn, Diablo, Sierra, or similar)

Ability to work under limited direction, independently or as part of a team within the assigned project group, and use independent judgment to determine analysis methods and evaluation criteria

Ability to travel occasionally

Preferred

Active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency

Ph.D. in mechanical, structural, or aerospace engineering, or structural/applied mechanics, or related field

Experience conducting (and selecting the technical approach of) computational analysis in a multi-physics context with software on massively parallel systems

Experience in material modeling utilizing experimental mechanics and laboratory-scale tests, and proficiency in benchmarking finite element analysis models at the system level on empirical test results, as well as in practical code verification and validation processes

Experience with finite element meshing software to develop high quality hexahedral based meshes that are sufficient for the selected analysis approach

Programming experience, particularly in Python and/or MATLAB, and familiarity with Git version control environment