Robert Plummer, P.E.
About Robert Plummer, P.E.
Robert Plummer, P.E. is the Chief Engineer at Advanced Photon Technologies, with extensive experience in electromechanical interface design and precision engineering. He has held various engineering roles at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and has contributed to significant projects in laser technology and alternative energy systems.
Work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Robert Plummer currently serves as Chief Engineer for Advanced Photon Technologies (APT) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a position he has held since 2021. He also chairs the Systems Engineering Board, a role he has occupied since 2019. His previous tenure at the laboratory includes serving as Mechanical Engineer from 2010 to 2014 and as Head of Engineering & Maintenance for the National Ignition Facility's Large Optics from 2014 to 2021. Additionally, he worked as the Entrepreneurial Lead for the Subsurface 'Geothermal Battery' project in 2016.
Education and Expertise
Robert Plummer holds a Graduate Certificate in Systems Design & Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, completed between 2017 and 2018. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Rice University from 2004 to 2008, followed by a Master of Science in Structural and Geomechanical Engineering from Stanford University from 2008 to 2010. His expertise includes electromechanical interface design, precision engineering, optomechanics, and structural and mechanical analysis.
Background in Engineering Internships
Robert Plummer has gained valuable experience through various internships early in his career. He worked as a Structural Engineering Intern at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. in 2009 and as a Marine Concrete Structures - Structural Intern at Aker Kvaerner in 2007 and again in 2008, both in Oslo, Norway. He also served as a Cleantech Industry Intern at Innovation Norway from 2009 to 2010 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Project Leadership and Contributions
Robert Plummer has led significant projects in advanced photon technologies. He was the Project Engineer for the HAPLS Upgrade, a multiyear initiative aimed at enhancing the L3 petawatt laser at ELI Beam Lines. He also led the MEC-U Rep-Rated Laser Upgrade project, a $60 million initiative designed for integration at SLAC into the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). His contributions support the development of advanced laser systems.