What Your Job Will Be LikeWe are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Science & Engineering (S&E) Project Manager to join the Global Security Portfolio Management Office (PMO). We are responsible for integrating and aligning mission-enabling capabilities across the Global Security Division'supporting mission domains that include advanced space systems, nuclear nonproliferation monitoring, next-generation physical security, and WMD counterterrorism¿by working collaboratively to develop and enhance systems, processes, controls, and procedures that increase divisional efficiency while meeting critical programmatic milestones.
In this division-level role reporting directly to the 6050 Senior Manager, the S&E Project Manager will serve as a principal technical leader and advisor, architecting and establishing how science and engineering projects are managed across the Global Security Division. In this capacity, you will direct and deliver innovative solutions to manage and maintain a fully functioning Portfolio Management Office (PMO), developing an integrated framework to drive performance, accountability, and mission alignment across the portfolio.
The S&E Project Manager will lead the establishment and operationalization of a centralized PMO capability, integrating mission-enabling systems, controls, and lifecycle practices. Rather than managing a single project in isolation, you will lead by influence across Sandia to align cross-functional teams, break down silos, and drive mission delivery elevating project execution across the portfolio by bridging research, engineering management, and operations to ensure mission success, technical integrity, and corporate compliance.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Establish Division Standards: Define, tailor, and govern divisional standards and engineering management best practices for how science and engineering projects are planned and executed across their entire lifecycle.
- Advise Mission Teams & Drive Alignment: Break down silos across organizational boundaries to align cross-functional teams, serving as a trusted PMO advisor and peer-level technical consultant to Mission Delivery Program Managers, project leads, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to solve complex programmatic, engineering management, and operational challenges.
- Deliver Management Assurance via Assurance by Design: Architect portfolio-level data analytics, reporting mechanisms, and performance frameworks grounded in Assurance by Design principles including key performance indicators, objectives and key results, variance reporting, dashboarding, and executive review cadences to strengthen accountability, improve decision-making, and keep deliverables on schedule and within budget.
- Govern the Product & Operational Lifecycle: Provide cross-cutting technical oversight across critical lifecycle phases including requirements verification, change control, configuration management, system testing, data analytics, and operational user documentation while ensuring adherence to corporate policies, Conduct of Operations, and quality standards.
- Lead Cross-Cutting Engineering & Roadmaps: Direct collaborative, multi-organizational teams to develop integrated technical roadmaps, mature Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), and align operational capabilities with Global Security portfolio strategies and mission requirements.
Due to the nature of this work the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.
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- You have a bachelors degree in a STEM-related field or higher.
- You possess 5 or more years S&E technical leadership and complex systems delivery experience within the DOE/National Laboratories, DoD, or defense/aerospace industries, with expertise in Aerospace & Space Missions, Nuclear Security & Threat Reduction, or Critical Asset Protection & Autonomy.
- Current PMP certification or equivalent certification, or the ability to obtain within 12 months.
- An active DOE Q security clearance or equivalent required to start
Qualifications We Desire- Experience building relationships and establishing credibility with scientists, engineers, and technical project teams. Experience in technical management processes: lifecycle management, requirements engineering, configuration management, risk management, verification and validation, etc.
- Experience developing tools and processes to optimize technical management of science and engineering projects
- Demonstrated teaming skills, including the ability to work effectively with leadership at multiple levels, customers, other organizations, and technical leads.
- Demonstrated technical writing and presentation skills, including an ability to succinctly explain complex technical concepts.
- Demonstrated leadership experience involving technical and programmatic responsibilities.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively interface with management, customers, and stakeholders at all levels.
- Familiarity with Program/Project Management Office (PMO) operations, portfolio performance frameworks (OKRs, KPIs, variance reporting, dashboards), or Mission Assurance principles.
- Demonstrated ability to apply scientific, engineering, and programmatic judgment across multidisciplinary teams, including conducting postmortems and embedding lessons learned for continuous improvement.
- Proven leadership and teaming skills, with the ability to lead by influence, break down silos, prioritize in high-pressure environments, and partner effectively with technical leads, senior management, and sponsors.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to synthesize complex technical status, risks, and performance metrics for executive presentations and customer reviews.
- Ability to obtain and maintain US DOE SCI access, which may require a polygraph test.
About Our TeamWorks with a broad range of U.S. government agencies to protect critical U.S. government assets and installations; facilitate nonproliferation and arms control activities; safeguard nuclear weapons; reduce the risk of terrorist acts; prevent the misuse of nuclear, chemical, biological and radiological materials; support national cyber-security efforts; and respond to catastrophic events and emergencies.
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.
