What Your Job Will Be LikeWe are seeking an R&D Nuclear Engineer to analyze worldwide nuclear material holdings and assess their security status using all-source intelligence. In this role, you will independently research technical topics, critically evaluate the information using established methodologies, and produce written analytical reports. To excel in this role, you will develop a strong technical understanding of physical security, nuclear materials, and risk assessment concepts that underpin the analysis. Immediate responsibilities will include independent research, application of developed methodologies, analysis, and writing.
As your knowledge, skills, and abilities progress, you will have opportunities to contribute to and lead publications of finished intelligence on topics related to nuclear materials security, nuclear weapons, weaponization, and associated technologies.
Qualified candidates may be asked to provide a writing sample (500 words or more) prior to any scheduled interviews.
The Sandia job code title for this position is R&D Nuclear Engineer; however, candidates may come from a variety of disciplines including Aerospace, Mechanical, Electronics/Hardware, Nuclear, Chemical, Material, Systems Engineering, or other STEM fields.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite 100% of the time. Salary Range$102,400 - $199,700
*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.
Qualifications We Require- A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, 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.
- Active DOE Q clearance (or equivalent such as Active DOD Top Secret) is required to start, plus the ability to obtain and maintain a SCI which may include a polygraph examination
Qualifications We DesireThe ideal R&D Nuclear Engineering candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:
- Graduate degree in Nuclear Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
- Operational experience with radiological and/or nuclear facilities.
- Experience performing radiation transport modeling.
- Knowledge of criticality safety and criticality analyses.
- Strong verbal and written communications skills, and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:
- Ability to understand, synthesize, and draw insights from multiple types of data streams (e.g., technical, economic, policy).
- Experience producing finished analytic products for the Intelligence Community.
- Openness to receiving and learning from constructive feedback.
- Proactive initiative and curiosity with a desire to learn and take ownership of problem-solving and professional development.
- Adaptability and flexibility to adjust to changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Attention to detail to ensure accuracy and quality in analyses and documentation.
- Time management and organizational skills to handle multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently.
- Active SCI security clearance.
About Our TeamThe primary mission of the Threat Assessments Group (5920) is to assess the threats posed to US national security interests by foreign advanced weapons and technological capabilities, with emphasis on nuclear weapons. Our analyses inform policymakers and senior officials across the US government responsible for understanding the threats and risks posed by these weapons and relevant technologies. This high impact program area is steadily growing and stewards key capabilities associated with all-source intelligence analysis, computational modeling, and engineering studies.
Posting DurationThis 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.
Security ClearancePosition 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.
