Senior/Principal R&D Optical Engineer, Remote Sensing and Sensor Technology, Onsite

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:

Are you ready to make a significant impact in the field of remote sensing? We are seeking a talented R&D Optical Engineer - Remote Sensing Scientist to become a vital part of our cutting-edge space-based optical sensor team. In this exciting role, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary group of experts, pushing the boundaries of remote sensing technology for national security applications. You will have the opportunity to work at the forefront of optical and infrared technologies, tackling complex challenges that have real-world implications. Your contributions will directly influence the development of advanced sensor systems that protect our nation.

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

• Conduct experimental data acquisition to gather critical information for analysis.

• Implement advanced signal processing techniques to enhance data quality and interpretation.

• Develop and refine spectral and radiometric models to support sensor performance.

• Apply physics-based approaches to analyze the phenomenology of high explosives and other events relevant to national security.

• Create and optimize advanced algorithms aimed at improving detection performance for transient events.

• Collaborate on Innovative Sensor System Technologies to develop and enhance sensor technologies that adapt to and meet evolving operational needs.

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

Salary Range:

$114,000 - $227,500

*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 and five (5) years of directly relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.

Qualifications We Desire:

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

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).

• Active DOE Q or DOD TS security clearance.

• Use of laboratory test equipment: oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, waveform/function generators, multimeters, power supplies, and data acquisition systems.

• Knowledge of optical design, fabrication and opto-mechanical mechanisms.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

• 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:

• Proficiency with one or more of the following: C++, MATLAB, Python, or R.

• Research experience in remote sensing, data analysis, and signal processing.

• Experience in end-to-end modeling of spectroscopic/radiometric events from source to detection.

• Knowledge of space-based payload operation and data collection.

• Experience with machine learning and other advanced detection techniques.

• Ability to prioritize and balance competing activities.

About Our Team:

The Monitoring Systems & Technology Center (6700) has researched and developed new monitoring systems and technologies for over half a century. Building on that legacy, today we support national security missions involving nuclear proliferation detection, treaty monitoring, arms control, and various needs within the national security communities.

The Weaponization and Signature R&D Department (6772) is responsible for advancing national security missions through the development of innovative concepts for active and passive remote sensing systems, signatures, and exploitation. The department maintains a breadth of remote sensing competencies including target phenomenology, scene simulation, radiative transport, optical sensor modeling, spectral & temporal data processing, and algorithm development. This collection of competencies allows the group to develop novel, mission-specific sensor concepts as well as assess and predict mission performance for our government sponsors.

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:

Sandia is required by DOE 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 obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance and SCI access, both of which require US citizenship. SCI access may also require a polygraph examination. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain these levels of access 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 the 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: 695243

Job Family: RD

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: F