What Your Job Will Be LikeWe are seeking a
software/hardware integration research engineer or scientist to lead the integration, development, and operation of automation and instrumentation solutions for the Z-Beamlet Laser (ZBL) facility.
ZBL is one of the largest pulsed lasers in the world and used for scientific research in the areas of inertial confinement fusion and high-energy-density science.
The position will be responsible for overseeing and improving the ZBL systems and architecture for computer control, automation, diagnostic recording, and electronic imaging and requires close collaboration and teaming across several organizations at Sandia.
We are offering a unique opportunity to blend traditional engineering practices with innovative problem-solving, allowing you to make a significant impact on our projects, rapidly bring your designs to life, and contribute to cutting-edge scientific advancements.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Perform hands-on lab work while leading software and engineering teams across organizations.
- Collaborate with R&D engineers to define requirements and develop project and implementation plans for integrating new hardware, instrumentation, and diagnostics into the ZBL control system.
- Integrate, test, and debug new functionality and instrumentation into the ZBL control system by combining custom software with hardware solutions.
- Develop new capabilities to integrate AI and Machine Learning (ML) diagnostic and analysis tools into ZBL operations.
- Quickly respond to, troubleshoot, and resolve issues affecting the ZBL control system and automated instrumentation to minimize operational impacts.
- Track project progress and provide regular updates to stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of automation and instrumentation solutions.
- Prepare detailed documentation on the ZBL control system architecture, software, instrumentation, and performance specifications.
- Present research findings at national and international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
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.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.
Qualifications We DesireThe ideal Engineering candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:
- Advanced degree or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related discipline.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate well in a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technologists.
- Outstanding verbal and written skills, including the ability to develop and present briefings that are clear and compelling.
Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:
- Proven ability to successfully integrate instrumentation hardware and LabVIEW software
- Experience developing and executing test plans to validate performance of automated instrumentation systems
- Proficiency in designing, troubleshooting, and maintaining complex LabVIEW applications
- Proficiency in maintaining and troubleshooting Allen-Bradley PLC applications (Ladder Logic, SCADA)
- Demonstrated success in facilitating team collaboration, developing project requirements, managing developer workloads, aligning software goals with overall project milestones and resources, and tracking and communicating progress toward completing project deliverables
About Our TeamThe Laser Operations & Engineering Department is responsible for developing and applying laser-produced x-ray sources and detectors to support high-energy-density science experiments performed on Sandia's Z pulsed-power facility. The department is composed of a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technologists that work together in a collaborative environment to support scientists from around the world that work on Z to pursue research in the areas of inertial confinement fusion, condensed matter physics, atomic physics, shock physics, radiation transport, and planetary science.
Department staff develop and operate a suite of high-power lasers including the multi-kilojoule nanosecond-class Z-Beamlet and picosecond-class Z-Petawatt lasers, some of the largest and most powerful lasers in the world. Department staff also develop high-speed solid-state x-ray cameras and sensors using custom ASICs and photodiode arrays. Other unique experimental capabilities include x-ray calibration sources and detectors, thin-film optical coating system for meter-scale optics, and target chambers and diagnostics for performing research on high-power laser-plasma interaction. This team is part of the Radiation, Electrical and High Energy Density Science (REHEDS) Research Foundation at Sandia.
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.
