What Your Job Will Be LikeWe are seeking an R&D Systems Engineer to join the W93/Mk7 program as the Flight Test System Lead. In this role, you will be a key member of a highly motivated, mission-driven team responsible for executing the full range of flight test activities, including design, assembly, integration, and testing of flight test bodies.
You will work closely with external design agencies and internal stakeholders across the W93/Mk7 program to develop and implement a comprehensive flight test strategy that supports design evaluation, qualification data needs, and long-term environmental assessment.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Execute the flight test strategy, ensuring seamless integration with modeling, simulation, and ground test efforts to meet design and qualification objectives.
- Partner with program collaborators at LANL, LM, NNSA, and the Navy to coordinate and efficiently carry out planned flight test activities.
- Lead the development and sustainment of environmental flight body architectures to support ongoing and future flight environment evaluations.
- Oversee the design and assembly integration of targeted development flight bodies and Joint Test Assembly (JTA) assets, troubleshooting mechanical and electrical issues as they arise.
- Develop and implement verification plans that demonstrate missile compatibility and fulfill flight test requirements.
- Coordinate flight schedules, logistics, range support, and analyze flight data to ensure mission success.
- Engage with experts across environmental analysis, design definition, and engineering disciplines to align flight test efforts with broader system goals.
- Prepare for and participate in major test readiness reviews, evidence generation, and various internal and external meetings, including program reviews and working groups.
- Lead and allocate resources effectively within the flight test team to achieve program objectives.
This position requires up to 25% travel to support program reviews and mission-critical activities. 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 with the ability to obtain and maintain a Sigma 15 security clearance
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: - Academic or professional experience in test and evaluation, engineering design, qualification, production, or related modeling/simulation projects.
- Experience with Navy Flight Test Programs or other large-scale flight testing programs.
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationships across DOE and DoD organizations.
- Demonstrated leadership skills, both strategic and tactical, with experience driving teams to meet time-sensitive schedules.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, effective in collaborating with teams ranging from skilled technologists to PhD-level engineers and scientists.
- Experience working with multiple design agencies to deliver complex products.
- Experience in telemetry system design, testing, analysis, or integration.
- Systems engineering experience with complex, high-reliability systems.
- Experience with nuclear deterrent (ND) components or system design, development, or production.
- Ability to prioritize competing requirements to optimize system-level outcomes.
- Capability to manage and execute multiple simultaneous tests at various stages of execution.
- Commitment to operational safety, security, and quality, including experience with activity-level work.
About Our TeamThe W93 Flight and System Enabling Technology Department is responsible for Flight Test planning and integration and System test asset builds, We directly engage across much of the Nuclear Security Enterprise including SNL/CA, LANL, PX, NNSA, LM, Navy, and KCNSC.
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.
