What Your Job Will Be Like

Innovative Defense Technologies (05490) is dedicated to solving some of the nation's most challenging problems, taking ideas from concept to capability. Our Group advances this vision through Applied Autonomy and AI, Digital Thread Transformation, and Directed Energy Systems. We are seeking a hardworking, forward-thinking leader to serve as the manager of the Autonomous Sensing and Control Department (05495).

In this role, you will lead a team of engineers and scientists who research, develop, and deliver next-generation sensor systems and applied autonomy algorithms. Their work spans target detection and classification, signal processing, hardware prototyping, and fielding. To fulfill our mission for the Department of War (DoW), your department will collaborate closely with multiple organizations across Sandia, particularly those focused on autonomous sensing and navigation, algorithm development, and geophysics.

Success as the department manager requires effective collaboration with leaders across Sandia, managing high-profile, matrixed R&D projects, and nurturing the professional growth of your staff. You will develop and execute a strategic roadmap for the Center's Applied Autonomy and AI thrust area, driving well-aligned, funded work. You will oversee project execution with Activity-Level Work, ensuring compliance with Sandia's standards for safety, security, and quality.

Your role will also involve frequent engagement with DoD Services, Combatant Commands, government labs, and other government agencies (OGAs) on critical national security challenges. Beyond program execution and business development, you will lead talent acquisition, training, and career development for a technically diverse team. You will foster an inclusive environment that promotes connection, mutual trust, and individual courage, building a strong, cohesive team.

This position requires moderate travel to support sponsor engagement, project execution, and team development.

On any given day, you will be required to:

• Develop short and long-term plans to lead and manage the Autonomous Sensing and Control department mission and vision that are nested within the Innovative Defense Technologies Group and Integrated Military Systems (IMS) Center.
• Build and maintain trust-based relationships with customers, staff, and partners through transparency, engaged leadership, and proactive communication across the national security enterprise.
• Promote excellence by developing realistic schedules that build in appropriate margins to deliver on-time and within budget by effectively managing risk, resources, and relationships.
• Understand the people, programs, and technology to guide the work of the organization and connect our expertise with potential beneficiaries, collaborators, and customers.
• Grow the capabilities of the department to ensure we have a competitive advantage by applying cutting edge technology with the appropriate policy and security controls.
• Coach staff to reach their individual and team goals and promote Sandia values and behaviors to ensure a positive, supportive environment where people are always treated with dignity and respect.

This position is onsite and will require the ability to travel approximately 25% and interact positively with a diverse set of customers and partners.

Salary Range

$163,700 - $278,000

*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

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and eight (8) 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 US DOE Q security clearance and SCI clearance and work on special access programs as required.

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal R&D Science and Engineering Manager candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Two or more years of demonstrated leadership experience.
• A graduate degree in science or engineering (MS or Ph.D.).
• Outstanding interpersonal skills in developing trusting relationships with peers, staff, management, customers, and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in the development and delivery of presentations, proposals, reports and documentation.

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

• Master's degree or higher in a relevant STEM discipline, plus eight or more years of directly related engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.
• Minimum of five years of demonstrated R&D technical leadership and/or management experience in systems development and deployment and/or projects involving national security.
• Demonstrated proficiency in program/business development.
• Minimum of four years of R&D management experience.
• Experience developing and executing project plans focused on urgent operational needs.
• Experience with building a positive network across the Labs.
• Experience with Sandia's ES&H, WPC, and Quality Operations processes.
• Experience working with the DoW, DOE and/or other federal agencies involved with national security (e.g. MDA, INDOPACOM, EUCOM, STRATCOM, SPACECOM, DARPA, DTRA, or DoD services involved with developing missile, air, and space capabilities).
• Experience with Applied Autonomy and AI.
• Experience developing and successfully executing strategic technology roadmaps.
• Demonstrated ability to listen and learn the operational needs of a national security customer, develop a plan, and then communicate technical solutions that are clear and easy to understand.
• Demonstrated ability to build teams, connect with others, and help find solutions to organizational conflict.
• Experience providing mentorship for the career growth and leader development of others.
• Demonstrated proficiency in clear and concise written and verbal communications.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to attract and retain top talent.
• Active Q-level or top secret security clearance.
• Active SCI clearance.

About Our Team

Sandia's Autonomous Sensing and Controls department is a diverse and highly collaborative R&D team delivering next-generation sensor systems and algorithms for: detecting and classifying targets; detecting, segmenting, and classifying signals or images; navigating, guiding, and controlling flight bodies, including computing trajectories for hypersonic flights; and coordinating heterogeneous agents in battlespace. The departments unique expertise enables its sensors and control systems to have small size, weight, and power (SWaP). The sensors perform signal processing on-board in real time. They are networked and communicate with each other. They are autonomous, requiring no human intervention once deployed. The development encompasses concept, algorithm, prototyping, programming at all levels, testing and qualification, and hardware delivery. The customers are Defense (such as DTRA and DARPA) and Intelligence communities, Homeland Security, and other groups within Sandia, especially the flight Navigation, Guidance and Control group. The department supports national security missions including nuclear proliferation detection, treaty monitoring, arms control, battlefield and other critical high-reliability missions. The department collaborates extensively with other groups at Sandia, such as Optics, Embedded Systems, Weapon Components, Geoscience, Robotics, and Satellites. The department staff also perform fundamental research under Sandia's Laboratory Directed Research and Development program.

Posting Duration

This 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.