What Your Job Will Be LikeThe Advanced RF Applications department (5376) is seeking a highly motivated early career Software Engineer to join the Advanced RF Applications department and contribute to research, development, troubleshooting, field testing, production, and delivery of advanced RF/microwave systems.
You will be joining a multi-discipline, high performing team. Our sponsors consist of intelligence community (IC), special operations forces (SOF), and Department of War (DOW) organizations, who count on us to deliver high-impact solutions to their evolving and most pressing national security challenges. Projects range from quick-reaction efforts in response to time-sensitive, real-world driven needs to longer term (1-3 year) projects. Occasional travel is required.
The primary focus of this position is the development of software for specialized RF communications systems. Responsibilities include software architecture and development, requirements definition, design documentation, qualification and acceptance testing, deployment support, and long-term system sustainment.
This role also supports signal processing engineers by developing visualization and data-processing tools and transitioning MATLAB-based algorithms to efficient C++ (or equivalent) implementations optimized for runtime performance.
On any given day, you may:
- Develop software systems independently or as part of a collaborative engineering team.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and prototype, architect, design, and implement software solutions that balance mission needs, technical constraints, and program objectives.
- Improve the reliability, performance, maintainability, and usability of existing software systems.
- Troubleshoot, enhance, and maintain deployed software solutions.
- Collaborate with engineers, researchers, designers, product managers, and stakeholders to communicate progress, share technical results, and support project execution.
- Develop test plans, execute test activities, and analyze field-test data.
- Support the implementation and optimization of signal processing algorithms and related software tools.
- Contribute to impactful national security missions while working across a diverse set of computer science, software engineering, and RF communications disciplines.
*Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.
Salary Range$102,400 - $199,700
*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, 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.
- Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE Q clearance and SCI clearance, which may require a polygraph.
Qualifications We DesireThe ideal R&D Computer Science candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:
- Graduate degree in Computer Science or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).¿
- Demonstrated software development skills and familiarity with modern software development practices and tools (e.g., Agile).¿
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and a passion to improve and expand technical skills.
Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:
- Demonstrated software development experience using one or more of the following: C, C++, Python, Git, and CMake.
- Experience with the full software development lifecycle, including requirements definition, design, implementation, verification and validation, deployment, and delivery.
- Experience designing and developing reliable software in C and/or C++.
- Experience translating MATLAB (or equivalent) algorithms into C or C++ implementations.
- Experience developing software in Linux environments.
- Familiarity with containerization technologies.
- Experience with software deployment processes.
- Experience with software testing, debugging, and troubleshooting.
- Coursework or practical experience in computer networking.
- Experience or interest in radio frequency (RF) and wireless systems.
- Experience with digital signal processing (DSP) or a demonstrated interest in learning DSP.
- Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, with the ability to work effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced, customer-focused environments; demonstrated initiative and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly present technical ideas, analyses, and results to diverse audiences.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams, build partnerships across organizations, and work across a diverse range of technologies and technical disciplines.
- Proven experience working with internal and external customers, stakeholders, and partners.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage, and execute multiple projects while meeting scope, budget, and schedule objectives.
Demonstrated experience leading projects and small technical teams. - Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
- Ability and willingness to travel occasionally (approximately 3-4 trips per year).
- Experience or familiarity with Intelligence Community and Department of War organizations and mission spaces.
- Active DOE Q security clearance or equivalent and the ability to acquire and maintain an SCI clearance.
About Our TeamThe Advanced RF Applications department (5376) is at the forefront of innovation, dedicated to researching, developing, evaluating, and deploying specialized RF systems for a wide range of national security applications. Our work encompasses space-based, airborne, and terrestrial RF communications, command and control (C2), remote sensing, nontraditional electronic countermeasures/electronic warfare (ECM/EW), and specialized tagging, tracking, and locating (TTL) systems.
Our team is composed of diverse skills, including RF/microwave circuit and system design, antenna design, digital signal processing, embedded system hardware and software, digital system design, operational field-testing development and support, and program/project management. We tackle important design challenges such as creating highly miniaturized electronic systems, developing advanced communication system architectures, and engineering ultra-low size, weight, and power (SWaP) hardware. Additionally, we focus on ultra-low-noise receivers and innovative signal extraction and classification techniques in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) environments.
Our sponsors consist of intelligence community (IC), special operations forces (SOF), and Department of War (DOW) organizations, who count on us to deliver high-impact solutions to their evolving and most pressing national security challenges. We partner closely with other departments within the Strategic RF and Electronic Systems group (5370), the RF & Systems Electronics Center (5300), across Sandia, and with external entities.
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.
