Cleared Senior/Principal R&D Systems Engineer - Ballistic Missile Weapon Systems, Onsite

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:

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• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

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*These benefits vary by job classification.

We are seeking a highly motivated System Evaluation Engineer (SEE) to join the Ballistic Missile Weapons (BMW) Integrated Stockpile Evaluation (ISE) team. In this role, you will serve as the primary Surveillance Point of Contact (POC) for leading and managing the Performance Evaluation Test Unit (PETU) programs for the Mk21 AFA, W88 ALT370, and W76-1/2 systems. You will also act as the key liaison between the Navy and Air Force for these PETU programs.

The System PETU program involves repeating select qualification tests on field-aged hardware to assess aging effects, performing margin tests, and evaluating emerging issues. Additionally, you will oversee the Component PETU program, which includes Component Material Evaluation (CME) efforts and the annual analysis of Commercial Electronic Parts (CEP).

Your responsibilities will include developing test configurations, planning and coordinating tests, managing system integration, directing modeling and simulation efforts, managing the execution of large-scale system tests, and preparing reports. This role requires close collaboration with stockpile sustainment teams, System PETU personnel, and other design and production agencies to ensure smooth test execution to address knowledge gaps.

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

• Lead test planning activities, coordinate with test facilities, and manage the execution of large-scale system-level surveillance tests across the Mk21 AFA, W88 ALT370, and W76-1/2 platforms.
• Prioritize testing efforts to meet system surveillance needs effectively.
• Partner with Sandia Stockpile Sustainment and collaborate with design and production agencies to establish interfaces and integration plans.
• Work effectively with diverse personalities and multidisciplinary teams to investigate anomalies and resolve system-related issues.
• Author test summary reports and brief Sandia management and customers on the status and technical details of the CEP surveillance program and the System and Component PETU programs.
• Apply engineering principles to conduct trade studies and identify system solutions.
• Coordinate with modeling and simulation teams to engage subject matter experts and direct work appropriately.
• Interface with system and component surveillance engineering teams to guide and facilitate PETU component material evaluation efforts.

In this role, you will develop an in-depth understanding of the Mk21 AFA, W88 ALT370, and W76-1/-2 nuclear weapon components, subsystems, and systems, gaining broad knowledge across all phases of the product realization lifecycle. You will also have the opportunity to exercise investigative freedom while engaging with the broader Nuclear Weapons community.

Due to the sensitive nature of the work, the selected candidate will be required to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM. Occasional travel (approximately 4 to 9 trips per year) will be necessary to support program needs. Travel destinations may include, but are not limited to, Livermore, CA; Los Alamos, NM; Amarillo, TX; Washington, DC; and Kansas City, MO.

$117,500 - $235,700

*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.

• A bachelors 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance and Sigma 15 access, which may require random polygraph testing.

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

• Graduate degree in Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLNL) and Kansas City National Security Campus/New Mexico Operations (KCNSC/NMO).
• Experience working on engineering design, qualification, production, or related modeling/simulation projects.
• 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:

• Active DOE Q or DOD TS/S clearance.
• Knowledge and understanding of nuclear weapon systems, including a fundamental understanding of nuclear surety principles.
• Experience using engineering principles to conduct trade studies and identify system solutions.
• Experience with test instrumentation, test planning, and defining test objectives and methods.
• Experience building test bodies and/or familiarity with creating procedures for building test artifacts.
• Familiarity with Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) test facilities (e.g., Lightning facility, ACRR, Hermes, Saturn, Shock/Vibe Lab) and experience coordinating with them.
• Familiarity with SNL drawing and authorization systems, product development and qualification processes, testing and evaluation, as well as modeling and simulation.
• Proven ability to coordinate and lead cross-organizational meetings and drive consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of facilitating compromise and achieving win-win outcomes.
• Ability to integrate into and work effectively across multiple technical teams, personalities, and management.
• Self-motivated, positive individual comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and thriving on building trust-based relationships with counterparts.
• A commitment to fostering a technically diverse environment, with a strong desire to deepen your understanding of the technical details and operational logistics of the relevant weapon systems.

The primary mission of the Ballistic Missile Weapon (BMW) Integrated Stockpile Evaluation (ISE) department (2252) is to design, develop, and execute programs that support both modernization and legacy weapon systems. These programs provide critical test data used by the broader community to ensure the safety, security, and performance of the nuclear stockpile. The department also plays a key leadership role within the Nuclear Weapons complex by developing and deploying Design for Surveillance attributes, which are essential for establishing effective and adequate surveillance programs.

Staff members, known as System Evaluation Engineers (SEEs), manage and develop Stockpile Laboratory and Flight Test activities for a range of systems including the W76-0, W76-1/2, W78, W87-0, W88 ALT, Mk21 AFA, and ballistic missile modernization programs such as the W93 and W87-1. Additionally, the department oversees the U.S. portion of the United Kingdom Service Life Assessment program, further extending its impact and collaboration within allied nuclear stockpile stewardship efforts.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

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, 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.

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.

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.