What Your Job Will Be Like

Are you an Electrical or Computer Engineer driven to apply cutting-edge technologies toward impactful national security challenges? Join the Systems Research Department at Sandia's Integrated Threat Intelligence Center, where we specialize in vulnerability assessments, forward and reverse engineering of embedded systems, and the development of innovative tools supporting unique national security missions.

As a motivated R&D Engineer with expertise in embedded systems, you will collaborate within a multidisciplinary environment and partner across Sandia. Our work spans the complete embedded systems lifecycle - from initial concept and design through fabrication, firmware and software development, to rigorous testing and deployment - focusing on innovative, low-power solutions. Our expertise covers a diverse range of technologies, including embedded systems, mobile devices, IoT, Wi-Fi systems, and networked devices.

If you are passionate about end-to-end embedded system engineering and eager to make a difference through technology innovation, we invite you to apply.

On any given day, you may be expected to:

• Perform reverse engineering and vulnerability assessments on embedded systems to identify and mitigate potential risks.
• Design, develop, and integrate hardware and software solutions that meet mission-critical requirements.
• Create comprehensive test plans and execute rigorous testing protocols to validate novel system capabilities.
• Communicate technical progress and findings effectively to mission partners and interdisciplinary colleagues.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, computer, and software engineers to innovate and refine approaches that advance key mission objectives.
• Take initiative to lead technical thrusts in specific areas of embedded systems development, driving strategy, execution, and team coordination to deliver impactful results.

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 and SCI clearance which may require a polygraph test.

Qualifications We Desire

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

• Graduate degree in Computer Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Demonstrated ability to execute and deliver technical work products with application of appropriate rigor and pedigree documentation (design/code reviews, technical oversight/approvals, project team concurrence, artifact generation, etc.).
• Experience in computer systems design and software development for real-time and embedded processing systems, distributed processing systems, or real-time client server implementations.
• Familiarity with hardware/software requirements generation for verification, validation and qualification.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary, multi-disciplinary team setting for a common purpose.

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

• Experience in embedded system design, hardware design, testing, and evaluation and/or programming.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: reverse engineering, software vulnerability assessment, computer networking, computer architecture, compilers, or related computer security disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience in a subset of the following:
  • Circuit design fundamentals and interpretation of hardware schematics
  • Embedded systems development using microcontrollers or digital signal processors (embedded C/C++ and real-time operating systems)
  • Proficiency in C or other programming languages
  • Networking architectures and protocols, including serial communication interfaces
  • Design, development, and testing of electrical or electronic systems
  • Use of laboratory diagnostics and testing equipment for hardware validation
  • Software development methodologies and best practices
• Strong communication skills with a proven ability to clearly articulate technical concepts and results in both written and oral formats, tailored to diverse audiences.

About Our Team

The Systems Research Department specializes in vulnerability assessments and research, as well as forward/reverse engineering embedded systems. We develop tools to support a variety of unique national security missions. Our expertise encompasses a diverse range of technologies, including embedded systems, mobile devices, IoT, Wi-Fi systems, and networked devices.

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.