What Your Job Will Be Like

We are seeking an R&D systems professional to interact with global practitioners of nuclear security and apply domain expertise in areas such as physical security and insider threat mitigation. In this role you will synthesize technologies, systems, and requirements using a graded approach.

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

• Implement nuclear security best practices and the development of capacity-building resources in support of programmatic engagements
• Collaborating with government sponsors to develop and implement projects for country specific engagements on Nuclear Security
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels, including with external customers, multi-lab team members, and internal management, to effectively complete technical projects
• Implement key priorities identified in studies that will help guide future directions/initiatives on projects important to mission objectives and customers
• Plan, conceive, conduct, or manage research and development for Sandia's customers and sponsors
• Use systems engineering principles to implement a multidisciplinary engineering approach to research, design, or develop nuclear security systems

In this role there can be up to 50% travel requirement. This position is eligible for telecommuting and the selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary.

Salary Range

$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.

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.
• Active DOE Q-level (or DOD equivalent) security clearance.

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal R&D S&E Systems Engineering 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 National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory, 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:

• Experience working with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to develop and implement projects associated to nuclear security, crisis contingency planning, and insider threat
• Direct experience with the recommendation guidance documents of the International Atomic Energy Agency
• Proven expertise in nuclear security with a focus on physical protection systems, including design, implementation, and evaluation of security measures to prevent unauthorized access or sabotage to nuclear materials and facilities.
• In-depth knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle, including enrichment, fuel fabrication, reactor operation, spent fuel management, and disposal.
• Applied experience in program or project leadership
• Experience working with diverse USG funding agencies, including the Department of State, DHS, DoW, Commerce, or NNSA/DOE with a history of building successful working relationships with customers
• Experience identifying, assessing, and mitigating insider threats within nuclear facilities, including behavioral analysis, access controls, and personnel reliability programs.
  Practical experience in nuclear material accounting and control (NMAC) systems, ensuring accurate tracking, reporting, and safeguarding of nuclear materials in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Skilled in developing, implementing, and testing crisis management and contingency plans related to nuclear security incidents, including coordination with emergency response teams and regulatory bodies.
• Understanding of Security by Design for Small Modular, Advanced, and Micro reactors.
• Demonstrated versatility, political savvy, and high tolerance for ambiguity
• Passion for learning and commitment to mentorship
• Demonstrated ability to team across disciplines
• Ability to develop and deliver training curriculum in international settings
• Current SCI clearance or willingness to pursue one

About Our Team

The Nuclear Security Engineering (NSE) department is part of the Global Security and Cooperation Center. The mission of NSE is to improve the security of nuclear facilities and nuclear materials globally by providing technical expertise to the USG. NSE is the principal organization providing engineered solutions to physical system analysis, design, and implementation as well as implementation of nuclear security best practices for nuclear fuel cycle facilities.

Posting Duration

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.

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.