What Your Job Will Be LikeWe are seeking an Evaluation and Qualification Test Systems Engineer to join our dynamic team on the W93/Mk7 program, where you will tackle complex challenges. In this role, you will be responsible for conducting materials and thermal testing for the W93/Mk7 Systems Program, becoming an integral part of our mission-driven team.
The successful candidate will need to be comfortable operating in both technical and programmatic domains while collaborating closely with the W93 systems team, internal organizations (such as test facilities, experimentalists, analysts, etc.), external design agencies, and customers/stakeholders. You will engage in defining program test objectives, developing test unit concepts, and ensuring that evaluation and qualification efforts meet the commitments between agencies.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Engage technically and programmatically with partnering design agencies (Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lockheed Martin) and customers/stakeholders to define program test objectives and ensure commitments regarding evaluation and qualification efforts are met.
- Coordinate logistics with testing facilities for scheduling, hardware delivery, and on-site coordination.
- Serve as the primary interface between Sandia, Lockheed Martin, and Los Alamos National Laboratory for the planning and execution of materials and thermal environments testing for varying system configurations.
- Lead the development of test unit concepts, architectures, and physical layouts, including defining test hardware pedigree, and support design activities for test units and fixtures necessary for environmental testing.
- Perform trade studies balancing performance, costs, risks, materials, functionalities, and technology maturation.
- Develop specifications and documentation for dynamic test and modeling strategies, laboratory and field test activities, test and analysis plan preparation, test execution, and data analysis.
- Engage with experts in materials and thermal dynamics within Sandia and partner agencies to support the evaluation and qualification program.
- Contribute to the development of the W93 materials and thermal qualification plans.
- Prepare presentations and other supporting documentation needed for technical reviews.
- Assist with Cost Account Management/Earned Value Management.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. Occasional travel to testing locations may also 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: - Degree in mechanical engineering, materials engineering/materials science, or chemical engineering preferred.
- Experience executing normal and/or abnormal environments thermal or mechanical tests (system, subsystem, component).
- Experience with instrumentation and data acquisition.
- Familiarity with thermal modeling and simulation and/or experience interfacing with ModSIM teams.
- Experience with Cost Account Management/Earned Value Management.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective stakeholder engagement.
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment, showing initiative and leadership.
- Demonstrated adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced work environment.
About Our TeamThe W93 System Evaluation and Qualification Department (02382) has the primary responsibility to plan and coordinate evaluation activities for the W93/Mk7 Navy Strategic Reentry System Program. These activities involve modeling, simulation, and physical ground testing, in support of the maturation and ultimate qualification of the W93/Mk7 reentry body system design.
We work closely with our partners and program stakeholders, including NNSA Federal Program Managers, the US Navy, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Los Alamos National Lab, the Sandia nuclear weapons component organizations, the Sandia science & technology community, Kansas City Plant National Security Campus (NSC), the UK Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), and many others, to coordinate expertise and implement effective approaches to better understand system technical knowledge gaps and validate the system works as intended.
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.
