Job Description

About Sandia:

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a hardworking and dedicated Systems Engineer with Mechanical emphasis who is passionate about guiding engineering systems development activities for future nuclear weapon programs.

The successful candidate will join a highly motivated, highly integrated, cross-functional team contributing to the system designs of Advanced & Exploratory (A&E) nuclear warhead and delivery designs. The successful candidates will inform trade studies and guide demonstrations of potential nuclear weapon designs. Candidates will coordinate across Sandia’s A&E, Modernization Stockpile Systems, Components & Production, and partners across the NSE and DoD to facilitate the development of new weapon systems during early Phase realization processes. Candidates will be expected to be part of a team that:

• Understands the viable trade space and en able informed architectural decisions.
• Establishes a technical robust design with a defensible qualification program.
• Identifies driving requirements in order to inform the development of a Stockpile-to-Target Sequence (STS) and Military Characteristics (MCs).

As the program progresses, it is expected that the successful candidate will participate as a Mechanical Engineer for the warhead design.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Plan, conduct, and execute Sandia's science and engineering programs within the spectrum of fundamental research, development, or demonstration.
• Plan, conduct, and execute Sandia's Advanced & Exploratory engineering programs within the spectrum of preliminary technology research, development of new systems or technologies, through demonstration in simulated environments.
• Synthesize anticipated future deterrence needs to define weapon system and subsystem requirements.
• Define and guide development of weapons systems’ architectures and layouts.
• Conduct or direct system-level design architecture analysis that combines a number of component parts or subsystems into a complete functional system.
• Define future technology development needs for Sandia.
• Develop advanced engineering demonstrator and/or test units, conduct testing, and analyze test results.
• Interface with external partners and stakeholders to define program goals and requirements.

Due to the nature of work, successful candidate must be able to work onsite.

Salary Range:

$109,300 - $217,400

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Qualifications We Require:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Systems Engineering or a related field with at least five years of relevant experience; or Master's degree in one of the fields with at least one year or relevant experience; or Ph.D. in one of these fields.
• Active DOE Q-level security clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain additional clearances, as needed.

Qualifications We Desire:

• Experience in nuclear weapons systems, ND components, Joint Test Assemblies, and Programs of Record.
• Experience with weapons effects or penetration mechanics.
• Experience with test & instrumentation, data acquisition, and analysis.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including report writing, and formal briefing capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience engineering prototype systems or components without clear requirements.
• Demonstrated experience working with NSE Design and Production Agencies (e.g., LANL, LLNL, KCNSC, etc.)
• Evidence of successfully operating in an ambiguous space, and comfortable with uncertainty.
• Demonstrated successful experience functioning within multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Evidence of the ability to conduct and lead engineering work in a systems context.
• Demonstrated experience engaging the modeling & simulation community.
• Proven technical background with experience in multiple of the following areas:
• Computer Aided Design (Solidworks, CREO, etc.)
• Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Hands-on testing and debugging complex systems in a lab/test facility environment.
• Expertise with engineering modeling and simulation software.
• Optimization methods and processes, trade space analysis, and decision-making tools.
• Multidisciplinary Design and Analysis methods.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25%.

About Our Team:

Our team is developing transformational, threat-informed solutions that enable the Nuclear Security Enterprise to meet emerging national security needs with a responsive nuclear deterrent. Within our Center, we develop safe, secure, trusted, and mission-capable weapon designs and architectures. We partner internally and integrate across the Nuclear Security Enterprise and the Department of Defense to provide thorough, objective information to our Nation’s decision makers. We do this through preparing for Programs of Record and Urgent Operational Needs, maintaining a systems and digital engineering capability, and cultivating national and international relationships. We are currently responsible for the successful integration of all design, engineering, assembly, and demonstration aspects of a new, Pre-Phase 1 proposed nuclear weapon system.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance:

Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD). Sandia is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Job ID: 693814

Job Family: RD

Regular/Temporary Position: R

Full/Part-Time Status: F

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.