What Your Job Will Be LikeAre you ready to step into a pivotal leadership role as a R&D Systems Engineer Qualification Discipline Lead, where your expertise will directly contribute to the development and qualification of advanced modernization weapons systems? Join our dynamic W87-1 Team and be at the forefront of system verification and validation efforts that ensure the safety and security of our nation.
In this exciting position, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to tackle complex engineering challenges that push the boundaries of innovation. You will engage with leading experts across the Nuclear Security Enterprise, making a tangible impact on national defense.
On any given day, you may be called on to: - Own, Plan, and Execute: Lead the implementation of qualification plans, guiding test and modeling/simulation teams to fill knowledge gaps by achieving critical knowledge points. Your leadership will ensure each knowledge point meets rigorous standards and drives the success of modernization efforts.
- Dynamic Problem-Solving: Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams across the Nuclear Security Enterprise to address real-time challenges. Your critical thinking and adaptability will be essential as you navigate the complexities of system qualification.
- Foster Collaborative Partnerships: Coordinate efforts with Components, Systems, Modeling/Simulation, Test, and subject matter experts across multiple sites and time zones to ensure seamless integration and verification of requirements.
- Innovative System Integration: Apply your expertise to integrate Weapon Response (WR), Joint Test Assessment (JTA), and Trainer components at the system level through iterative design and testing phases. Your insights will be invaluable during early development, shaping the future of our systems.
- Engage with Key Stakeholders: Work closely with the National Nuclear Security Administration and partner Design Agency Labs to ensure technical and programmatic requirements are met, maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of our national security initiatives.
- Drive System Excellence: Lead 1-2 disciplines within qualification, embracing new challenges and opportunities for innovation every day.
Location and Travel: Due to the nature of the work, this position requires onsite presence in Albuquerque, NM, Travel up to 25% annually may be required.
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.
Qualifications We DesireThe ideal R&D Systems Engineer 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 Laboratory (LLNL) 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 in a weapon system or related department with knowledge of Nuclear Deterrence (ND) Product Realization.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within fast-paced, multidisciplinary teams, fostering strong partnerships across various systems and sites.
- Strong adaptability and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to navigating ambiguity and addressing challenges as they arise.
- Proven leadership experience successfully leading multidisciplinary teams in complex system qualification, verification, or validation efforts within high-consequence environments.
- Expertise in qualification planning and execution, including developing, owning, and implementing qualification plans that integrate test, modeling/simulation, and analysis activities to close knowledge gaps.
- Hands-on experience with systems integration, particularly integrating multiple subsystems or components at the system level through iterative design and testing cycles.
Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical status, risks, and decisions to senior leadership and external partners, including government agencies.
About Our TeamThe W87-1 System team is responsible for designing and qualifying the W87-1 warhead. We are a multidisciplinary team made up of electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering. The team includes core partners in project management, reliability, quality, nuclear safety, surveillance, engineering sciences, and material sciences. We collaborate closely with LLNL as Design Agencies for the program and the System Qualification and Test Teams work closely with LLNL, LANL, and LM to execute joint system tests.
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.
