What Your Job Will Be LikeWe are seeking a dynamic and experienced Research & Development Scientist/Engineer in Electrical Engineering to join our team focused on advancing directed energy technologies. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and development efforts that directly support national security missions. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with government agencies, industry partners, and internal experts to drive innovation, lead high-impact projects, and help transition critical technologies to operational use. If you are passionate about solving complex challenges at the intersection of science, engineering, and defense, and thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Working with management to create and implement strategic direction for directed energy.
- Having frequent interactions with the Department of War (DoW) community to understand technology trends, customer needs, and linking to the expertise within SNL which can provide solutions.
- Interfacing between Department of Energy (DOE) and DoW/SPP projects to facilitate exchange of information, e.g. virtuous cycle.
- Reaching out across Sandia to apply lab wide expertise to solve the Nation's biggest challenges, especially in support of the Nuclear Deterrence (ND) mission.
- Prioritizing research activities, including research, development, and testing in combined and complex environments.
- Developing concepts for offensive directed energy capabilities as well as modelling tools for the use of these technologies.
- Working with the intelligence community for threat characterization to develop and implement counter DE strategies.
- Bringing in new projects to the organization through working with the business development team to identify funding opportunities and develop proposals.
- Leading the acquisition of million dollar+ projects.
- Working with the DoW and industry partners to transition directed energy technology to the warfighter.
- Performing active involvement in the Directed Energy community including professional societies, academia, and industry.
*Due to the nature of the 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- 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. ¿
- Current DOE Q clearance or equivalent required to start.
Qualifications We DesireThe ideal electrical engineer candidate 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).
- Ability to work independently and collaborate well in a multidisciplinary team of designers and test engineers.
- Outstanding verbal and written skills, including the ability to develop and present briefings that are clear and compelling.
Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following:
- Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex and Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC).
- Experience delivering high rigor systems, product development, requirements management, qualification, and testing and evaluation.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
- Wide ranging technical knowledge of directed energy related topics including directed energy systems, HPM sources, and pulsed power.
- An understanding of national level issues and needs for Directed Energy applications and assessments.
- Experience proposing and securing projects >$1M.
- An established network of colleagues across the DoW including OSW, combatant commands, services, FFRDCs, and/or UARCS.
- The ability to anticipate future needs, influence leadership, and lead the technical direction of an organization.
- Experience leading the development, testing, and delivery of technological innovations to include prioritizing research activities including funding decisions.
- Demonstrated team building, mentoring, and program management skills with strong documentation, attention to detail, and adaptability in fast-paced, customer-focused environments.
About Our TeamThe Directed Energy Enterprise consists of two multi-disciplinary departments. These departments are Directed Energy Missions, Directed Energy Applications and Assessments. Directed Energy Missions focuses on compact pulsed power, HPM systems, Pulsed Lasers, Particle Beams and RF characterization. Directed Energy Applications focuses on laser applications, antennas, prototyping, and special projects. Directed Energy Assessments focuses on RF sensing & cyber, RF protection, and nuclear incident response.
Work environments range from laboratory work in innovative facilities to field work at local and remote test sites. Work products range from studies and analyses to delivery of beyond-state-of-the-art hardware to support our customer base to move Directed Energy technologies to the war-fighter.
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.
