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 vacation, 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 an exceptional engineer to support our ferroelectric neutron generator (FENG) products. As a component engineer you will serve in various roles, including supporting the sustainment & assessment of our FENG product line, performing R&D to improve on our product performance and manufacturability, and performing design activities to help establish the technical basis for our modernization work. The successful candidates will regularly interact with technical peers of diverse technical backgrounds within the department as well as co-workers in the development, production, and science and technology areas of the neutron generator organization, as well as a network expert throughout Sandia.

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

• Provide engineering support for the local production agency by analyzing the impacts of changes/exceptions to the manufacturing process, incoming materials, maintaining process specifications, and assisting with the development of work instructions
• Support sustainment and assessment efforts on our FENG designs and maintain our lifetime estimation algorithms
• Participate in the annual review process of designated FENG products, communicate with systems partners, and document assessment in the annual component assessment report (CAR).
• Complete investigations on any significant findings, facilitate implementation of corrective actions, and identify process improvements
• Support the transfer and tracking of hardware throughout the product lifecycle, coordinating shelf-life studies, and facilitating the proper disposal at end-of-life
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and test facilities to evaluate product performance in different environments
• Coordinate and track the pedigree of multiple experimental test units, document test results, and communicate through presentations
• Work with systems partners to further refine product requirements and definition
• Coordinate with product engineers in the production agency to understand and evaluate the trade between producibility and performance
• Partner with technologists to build and develop prototypes of initial concepts and prepare transitioning process to production.
• Interface and coordinate design efforts with design peers in subcomponent PRTs and next-level assembly.
• Provide design support for qualification planning, execution, and documentation.
• Aid in component and fixture design by verifying drawings for manufacturability in compliance with GD&T.
• Engage with R&D activities to develop advanced FENG prototypes and partner with neutron tube, active ceramic, and energetic technology spaces.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Salary Range:

$99,400 - $193,600

*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:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and experience defined by the following parameters:
• An Associate’s degree in a relevant discipline plus four (4) years of directly related relevant work experience; or
• A High School Diploma plus eight (8) years of directly related relevant work experience.*

*Equivalent education and experience must be engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.

• Active DOE Q-level Security Clearance or DOD equivalent required to start

Qualifications We Desire:

The ideal R&D Mechanical Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience with mechanical engineering and product realization in the NNSA complex.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

• A Master’s or Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, physics, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, material science, chemistry, or a related STEM field.
• Experience supporting a deployed product, assessing its performance, identifying concerns and addressing issues, and reporting status to customers.
• A firm working knowledge of neutron generators, how they function, and the processes employed to fabricate them.
• Experience with the ND product development cycle (i.e. 6.x) and a working knowledge of the engineering documentation system (e.g., PRIME, PDMlink)
• Demonstrated ability to successfully coordinate complex work activities, document & present results, and manage resources
• Experience with mechanical design, CAD software (e.g., CREO), and geometrical dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience with component environmental testing (radiation, thermal, shock & vibe), qualification processes, and surveillance activities
• Experience and familiarity with shock physics, energetic testing, electro-ceramic materials, and neutron tube operation
• Experience with high voltage design and methods to avoid electrical breakdown
• Demonstrated ability to execute development activities with evolving requirements in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to collaborate with team members of diverse backgrounds for mutual mission success
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

About Our Team:

The FENG and Tube Lifecycle Engineering Department (7584) is responsible for the design and development of Neutron Tubes (NTs) and Ferroelectric Neutron Generators (FENGs) for War Reserve, Laboratory, and Field Test applications of Nuclear Weapons. Within the department resides expertise in nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, and electrical engineering. These diverse areas work together to innovate and mature technology in the areas of NT and NG physical and electrical design, NT and NG modeling/simulation, active ceramic and insulative ceramic materials. We also work closely with the explosive’s component organization and the local NG production agency. Team members are responsible for assessing the health and performance of the current Nuclear Stockpile and contributing to the Annual Assessment Report for the Nuclear Stockpile. We provide stewardship of our designs and products from delivery to the stockpile through disposal at end of life. By working together our department is flexible and resourceful, allowing us to contribute to our nation ’s need for a reliable deterrent.

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: 695281

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.