What Your Job Will Be LikeWe are seeking a R&D Mechanical Engineer to join our System-Level Vibration Testing Laboratory team to strengthen our position as a recognized leader in the field of Structural Dynamics and help tackle some of the most complex issues facing our nation's security. Our group has a unique balance of research and programmatic work which will allow opportunities to pursue your relevant interests while making a difference in the world.
In this role you will apply integrated technical judgement to anticipate, innovate, and deliver solutions to Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) missions. On any given day you may be called on to:
- Conceive, plan, and conduct technical work spanning fundamental research, development, and application to support SNL customers and sponsors.
- Contribute to the advancement of the field through collaboration and presenting work at technical conferences and peer-reviewed journals.
- Use engineering principles to create new understanding and capability in the field of structural dynamics (Modal and/or Shock & Vibration testing).
- Develop and implement new solutions and improvements to the group's technical and operational procedures.
- Understand our mission partner requests and map them to technical test requirements.
- Perform structural dynamics testing on an ever-changing assortment of projects including weapon systems, aerospace structures & payloads, and civil structures. Depending on focus area, this will include Experimental Modal or shaker Shock & Vibration testing (traditional Single-Degree of Freedom and advanced Multi-Input/Multi-Output/6DOF).
- Assists in technical planning, execution, and reporting of complex test series within large multi-disciplinary teams.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. Additionally, the applicant must be willing to work on nuclear deterrence systems.
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 obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance
Qualifications We DesireThe ideal R&D S&E Mechanical Engineer candidate will in addition possess the following:
- Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
- Experience with mechanical engineering and product realization in the NNSA complex.
- 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:
- Prior relevant experience in any of the following fields of Structural Dynamics:
- Shock & Vibration Testing
- Experimental Modal Analysis
- Noise Vibration & Harshness (NVH)
- Experience in Python and/or MATLAB
- Experience with dynamic sensors and instrumentation such as accelerometers
- Experience with data acquisition system setup, operation, and maintenance
- Demonstrated skills in digital signal or image processing techniques
- Demonstrated ability to plan and execute large test series in partnership with multiple stakeholders
- Experience with hazardous testing, such as explosives, and associated work planning and control processes
About Our TeamThe Structural Dynamics Department (01522) is an integral part of the Engineering Sciences Center at Sandia National Laboratories. Our Center is the steward of engineering mechanics and dynamics for Sandia, and we are dedicated to solving our customer's most pressing and important national security problems. Our department comprises the System-Level Vibration Testing Lab and the Modal Lab. The Vibe Lab specializes in conducting mission-critical mechanical environments tests for qualification and acceptance evidence of full systems. The Modal Lab specializes in experimental diagnostic methods to characterize the inherent dynamic properties of structures and their complex response under operational environments. We also support instrumentation efforts for high-consequence environmental tests and field data collection operations. We collaborate closely with our colleagues in the Analytical Structural Dynamics and Environmental Engineering departments. Our department also maintains a considerable R&D portfolio with focus areas including hybrid system modeling/substructuring, advanced multi-axis ground testing methods, nonlinear dynamics, transfer path analysis, experimental uncertainty quantification, and high-speed non-contact diagnostics. Our mission is to support the qualification of systems critical to our nation's security and to constantly pursue new avenues for excellence through fundamental research and development opportunities.
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.
