What Your Job Will Be LikeWe are seeking a highly motivated Systems Engineer to join the W76-0 Weapon System Team. The successful candidate will support assessment activities for the W76-0 Arming, Fuzing, and Firing assembly and will have the opportunity to spearhead and engage in various engineering projects. These projects may include designing test configurations, planning and coordinating tests, system integration, modeling and simulation, data analysis, and other annual assessment activities. This position requires close coordination with the teams supporting the W76-0 test and sustainment efforts across Sandia National Labs, as well as our partners across the Nuclear Security Enterprise.
On any given day, a W76-0 Systems Engineer may be called on to:
- Analyze data collected from multiple test sites and annually document the results in an assessment report for the W76-0's Arming, Fuzing, and Firing assembly.
- Partner with systems, component, and surveillance engineers to identify and address knowledge, data, and capability gaps
- Lead test planning activities, coordinate with test facilities, and execute large-scale system-level tests.
- Communicate project objectives to stakeholders and author reports detailing project results.
- Improve processes and procedures at the Weapons Evaluation Test Laboratory, Pantex, and Kansas City National Security Campus.
- Prioritize testing efforts appropriately to meet System Surveillance needs and assess knowledge gaps.
- Collaborate effectively with diverse personalities and adapt to various work styles.
- Guide a multidisciplinary team of engineers and domain specialists to successfully address anomalies and resolve system-related issues.
- Brief SNL management and customers on the status of the weapon program and as part of the Annual Assessment process.
- Use engineering principles to conduct trade studies to identify system solutions.
- Partner with modeling and simulation teams to engage SMEs and direct work appropriately.
- Be called upon to peer review design efforts and concepts across the Labs.
- This position may require occasional travel.
The successful candidate will become intimately familiar with the detailed function of W76-0 nuclear weapon components, subsystems, and systems, and will have the opportunity to exercise investigative freedom in engaging the broad Nuclear Weapons community.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM. This position will require some travel to locations including, but not limited to Livermore, CA; Los Alamos, NM; Amarillo, TX; Washington, DC; and Kansas City, MO may be required for this position.
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 is required 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:
- Solid understanding of nuclear weapon systems, including fundamental nuclear surety principles.
- Self-motivated and positive, with the ability to integrate and work effectively across multiple technical teams and with management.
- Experience using engineering principles to conduct trade studies to identify system solutions.
- Experience with test instrumentation, test planning, and defining test objectives and methods.
- Familiarity with SNL test facilities (i.e. Lightning facility, ACRR, Hermes, Saturn, Shock/Vibe Lab, etc.) and experience coordinating with them.
- Experience building test bodies and/or developing procedures for building test artifacts.
- Familiarity with SNL drawing and authorization system, product development and qualification, testing and evaluation, modeling, and simulation.
About Our TeamWe are responsible for the W76-0/1/2 nuclear weapon stockpile and suite of activities. In addition to our established stockpile responsibilities, we are engaged in numerous development and qualification projects, including the JTA3, Mk4B, and ALT939 ISA program. Ongoing production activities at KCNSC necessitate frequent communication across various areas.
Additionally, our team (2222) leads the development of testers and operational activities for hardware management, providing engineering leadership for all W76-0/1/2 test body assembly and disassembly activities. We also serve as the primary interface with test and computational simulation organizations to effectively manage the schedule and budget related to qualification efforts.
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.
