Precision Engineer

Berkeley Lab is seeking a Precision Engineer with expertise in high-precision mechanical design to join our team. The ideal candidate will focus on accuracy, detail, and manufacturability, delivering reliable and innovative solutions in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Work will support projects like ALS-U, BELLA, CXRO, and DUNE, following LBNL standards. The role includes both office-based design and hands-on prototyping, testing, and validation in a collaborative environment.

What You Will Do:

• Design and optimize high-precision mechanical components, assemblies, and systems.
• Create and maintain detailed design documentation, specifications, and test plans.
• Perform error budgets, FEA, and other analyses to ensure accuracy, performance, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure design feasibility and product integrity.
• Apply the 'First Time Right' approach to deliver compliant, functional, and manufacturable systems.
• Improve design processes to boost precision, quality, and efficiency.
• Stay up to date with trends and best practices in precision engineering.
• Contribute to cost and schedule estimates.

What is Required:

Precision Engineer Level 2:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field with 2+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent.
• Proficient in 3D CAD (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks, Inventor) and PLM tools (e.g., Windchill, SAP, Siemens Opcenter).
• Strong foundation in precision mechanical design, including GD&T, metrology, and manufacturing processes.
• Familiar with FEA and simulation tools.
• Skilled in system error budgeting and problem-solving.
• Experience in at least two of the following: kinematic design, compliant mechanisms, vacuum systems, DfX, root cause analysis.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

In Addition, the Precision Engineer Level 3:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field with 8+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent.

In Addition, the Precision Engineer Level 4:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field with 10+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent.

Notes:

• This is a full-time 2-year, term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.
• The expected salary for the Precision Engineer Level 2 is $106,000.00 - $129,000.00, which fits into the full salary of $94,164.00 - $158,856.00 annually depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities, including education, certifications, and years of experience.
• The expected salary for the Precision Engineer Level 3 is $130,000.00 - $158,000.00, which fits into the full salary of $115,176.00 - $194,340.00 annually depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities, including education, certifications, and years of experience.
• The expected salary for the Precision Engineer Level 4 is $157,000.00 - $192,000.00, which fits into the full salary of $139,752.00 - $235,848.00 annually depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities, including education, certifications, and years of experience.
• This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Starting May 7, a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.