What Your Job Will Be LikeAre you a driven mechanical engineer ready to lead critical projects that directly support national security? Join the W76-1/-2 Weapon System Team as a Lead Mechanical Engineer and take ownership of complex engineering challenges across design, testing, and system integration.
In this role, you will lead the development and execution of test configurations, system integration efforts, modeling and simulation activities, and large-scale system tests. You will develop deep expertise in the detailed functions of W76-1/-2 nuclear weapon components and subsystems, working across the full product lifecycle¿from concept and design through qualification, production, sustainment, and retirement.
This position offers the opportunity to exercise investigative freedom while collaborating broadly within the Nuclear Weapons community, allowing you to innovate and make a lasting impact at every stage.
On any given day, you may be called upon to: - Design and analyze mechanical systems and subsystem assemblies with precision and creativity.
- Apply engineering principles to conduct trade studies and develop optimized system solutions.
- Lead system integration efforts to ensure seamless subsystem and system performance.
- Partner with modeling and simulation experts and guide subject matter experts to inform design decisions.
- Plan and lead environmental, performance, and qualification testing to validate system integrity.
- Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams across the W76-1/-2 family¿including stockpile sustainment and fast-paced development programs such as JTA3, Mk4B, ALT 939, and D5LE2'to ensure mission success.
- Troubleshoot anomalies and resolve complex system issues through cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- Conduct peer reviews of design concepts and efforts across the Labs to ensure quality and innovation.
- Author detailed test reports and present program status updates to management and customers as part of the Annual Assessment process.
You will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to advancing the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent. 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.
- Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent to start with the ability to participate, as requested, in random polygraph testing.
Qualifications We DesireThe ideal R&D Mechanical Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following: - Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
- Experience with mechanical engineering and product realization in the NNSA complex.
- 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: - Self-motivated, positive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple technical teams and with management.
- Proficiency in applying mechanical engineering principles to conduct trade studies and identify system solutions.
- Knowledge of nuclear weapon systems and fundamental nuclear surety principles.
- Familiarity with Sandia drawing and authorization systems, product development and qualification processes, testing and evaluation, as well as modeling and simulation.
- Experience with mechanical design tools such as CREO.
- Experience in test instrumentation, test planning, and defining test objectives and methods.
- Experience building test bodies and/or developing procedures for constructing test artifacts.
- Understanding of normal, abnormal, and hostile qualification, modeling, and testing environments.
About Our TeamWe are responsible for the W76-0/-1/-2 nuclear weapon stockpile and the suite of activities that support annual assessment, surveillance, lifetime planning and associated development of the weapon systems. In addition to established stockpile work we actively collaborate on numerous development and qualification projects, including JTA3, Mk4B, ALT939 Integrated Surety Architecture, and D5LE2 programs. Production activities at KCNSC continue across several areas and require frequent coordination.
Additionally, we lead the development of testers and operational activities for hardware and provide engineering leadership for all W76-0/-1/-2 test body assembly and disassembly activities. We also interface with test and computational simulation organizations across the Labs and provide management of schedule and budget associated with executing the annual assessment process, on behalf of NNSA and our Navy customers.
Our responsibilities also extend to systems support for the UK Trident versions of the Mk4/Mk4A. Directed by the U.S. Navy and NNSA, this support includes assembly, disassembly, surveillance, deployment, and retirement activities.
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.
