What Your Job Will Be Like

We are seeking an exceptional mechanical engineer to support our ferroelectric neutron generator (FENG) products. As a component engineer you will serve in various roles, including supporting the sustainment & assessment of our FENG product line, performing R&D to improve product performance and manufacturability, and performing design activities to help establish the technical basis for modernization work. The successful candidates will regularly interact with technical peers of diverse technical backgrounds within the department as well as co-workers in the development, production, and science and technology areas of the neutron generator organization, as well as a network of experts throughout Sandia.

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

• Provide engineering support for the local production agency by analyzing the impacts of changes/exceptions to the manufacturing process, incoming materials, maintaining process specifications, and assisting with the development of work instructions
• Support sustainment and assessment efforts on our FENG designs and maintain our lifetime estimation algorithms
• Participate in the annual review process of designated FENG products, communicate with systems partners, and document assessment in the annual component assessment report (CAR).
• Complete investigations on any significant findings, facilitate implementation of corrective actions, and identify process improvements
• Support the transfer and tracking of hardware throughout the product lifecycle, coordinating shelf-life studies, and facilitating the proper disposal at end-of-life
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and test facilities to evaluate product performance in different environments
• Coordinate and track the pedigree of multiple experimental test units, document test results, and communicate through presentations
• Work with systems partners to further refine product requirements and definition
• Coordinate with product engineers in the production agency to understand and evaluate the trade between producibility and performance
• Partner with technologists to build and develop prototypes of initial concepts and prepare transitioning process to production
• Interface and coordinate design efforts with design peers in subcomponent PRTs and next-level assembly
• Provide design support for qualification planning, execution, and documentation
• Aid in component and fixture design by verifying drawings for manufacturability in compliance with GD&T
• Engage with R&D activities to develop advanced FENG prototypes and partner with neutron tube, active ceramic, and energetic technology spaces

Due to the nature of work, successful candidate 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 (5) five 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 Security Clearance or equivalent. A willingness to obtain Sigma 15 access, which may require random polygraph tests.

Qualifications We Desire

The 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:

• Experience with mechanical design, CAD software (e.g., CREO), and geometrical dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
• Experience supporting a deployed product, assessing its performance, identifying concerns and addressing issues, and reporting status to customers
• A firm working knowledge of neutron generators, how they function, and the processes employed to fabricate them
• Experience with the ND product development cycle (i.e. Phase X or 6.X) and a working knowledge of the engineering documentation system (e.g., PRIME, PDMlink)
• Demonstrated ability to successfully coordinate complex work activities, document & present results, and manage resources
• Demonstrated ability to execute development activities with evolving requirements in a fast-paced environment

About Our Team

The FENG and Tube Lifecycle Engineering Department (7584) is responsible for the design and development of Neutron Tubes (NTs) and Ferroelectric Neutron Generators (FENGs) for War Reserve, Laboratory, and Field Test applications of Nuclear Weapons. Within the department resides expertise in nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, and electrical engineering. These diverse areas work together to innovate and mature technology in the areas of NT and NG physical and electrical design, NT and NG modeling/simulation, active ceramic and insulative ceramic materials. We also work closely with the explosive's component organization and the local NG production agency. Team members are responsible for assessing the health and performance of the current Nuclear Stockpile and contributing to the Annual Assessment Report for the Nuclear Stockpile. We provide stewardship of our designs and products from delivery to the stockpile through disposal at end of life. By working together our department is flexible and resourceful, allowing us to contribute to our nation's need for a reliable deterrent.

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.