Robotics and Materials Automation Academic Graduate Appointee

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$7,035.00 ‐ $8,040.00 monthly

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.

Job Description

We are seeking a Robotics and Materials Automation Academic Graduate Appointee to join our team. In this role, you will work under the guidance of staff members to execute experiments on materials design and engineering topics with a focus on robotics and automation. As part of the Materials Engineering Division (MED) within the Engineering Directorate, you will contribute to advancing strategies for national security and support LLNL’s Institutional Initiative of Robotics and Automation. This position provides an excellent opportunity to further your educational and career goals while conducting impactful research.

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

You will 

• Conduct research at the intersection of applied science and robotics and automation.
• Support LLNL by contributing to ongoing research activities and experimental fabrication work.
• Present research findings to LLNL staff as appropriate.
• Prepare reports and/or publications as assigned.
• Perform all assignments in accordance with ES&H, security, and business practice requirements and policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in applied physics, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with robotics and automation with custom or commercially available solutions (e.g., UR5e).
• Experience with sample preparation, protocol generation for automated systems, and utilization of automated systems.
• Experience with mechanical design software such as SolidWorks or RISA-2D.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and to prepare, present, and explain technical results.
• Demonstrated initiative, interpersonal skills, creativity, and ability to work effectively in a collaborative multidisciplinary team environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with electrochemistry.
• Familiarity with polymer and metal additive manufacturing.
• Basic programming and data analysis skills in a language such as python, R or MatLab.

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a one-year Academic Graduate Appointee, open to those who have been awarded a degree at the time of the employment offer.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 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

None required.  However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process.  This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check.  (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.) 

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 3112, generally prohibits citizens of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea without dual US citizenship or legal permanent residence from accessing specific non-public areas of national security or nuclear weapons facilities.  The restrictions of NDAA Section 3112 apply to this position.  To be qua