What Your Job Will Be LikeWe are seeking a R&D S&E Cybersecurity Scientist/Engineer to conduct and lead aspects of cybersecurity research and development focused on microelectronics hardware assurance and analysis. The successful candidate will bring strong experimental microelectronics hardware expertise and will help define and execute laboratory investigations that evaluate hardware implementations from the board level down to the chip and device level. You will collaborate with a broad, cross-disciplinary team - including microelectronics engineers, materials and packaging experts, analysts, and cybersecurity and software specialists - to design technically rigorous approaches and deliver impactful results for national-security stakeholders.
This role blends hands-on laboratory execution with technical leadership: defining hypotheses, developing experimental plans and processes, mentoring teammates as appropriate, and advancing microelectronics analysis capabilities to meet evolving hardware cybersecurity needs. Clear communication and stakeholder engagement are essential, including participation in technical meetings, planning discussions, and the dissemination of results to internal and external audiences.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Define, plan, and execute experimental investigations addressing hardware-focused cybersecurity questions and mission needs
- Lead or significantly contribute to hardware analysis efforts spanning system/board/subsystem/device/chip scales
- Develop, improve, and document laboratory workflows and analysis processes; help drive capability maturation and best practices
- Synthesize evidence from lab data, modeling/simulation, and technical literature to produce defensible technical conclusions and recommendations
- Collaborate with software and cybersecurity experts to assess system behavior at the hardware/software boundary when needed
- Communicate technical findings to stakeholders in written deliverables, 1:1 technical exchanges, and broader presentations
- Contribute to proposal development and new research directions aligned with hardware cybersecurity mission priorities
Experience with advanced microscopy and sample preparation methods (e.g., FIB and/or SEM) and failure analysis is a plus.
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 DesireThe ideal R&D Cybersecurity candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following: - Graduate degree in Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Computer Forensics, Mathematics or a directly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
- Experience in one or more of the following: reverse engineering, software vulnerability assessment, web application assessment, computer networking, computer architecture, compilers, or similar computer security topics.
- Proficiency in scripting or high-level programming.
- Familiarity with secure-system design principles and information assurance principles.
- Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to develop technical ideas and results and present them in oral and written form in a concise manner.
Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience: - Experience planning and executing laboratory-based R&D project work.
- Experience successfully proposing and leading laboratory-based R&D projects.
- Experience in one or more of the following: microelectronics fabrication, failure analysis, hardware reverse engineering, hardware analysis, microelectronics, or similar computer security topics.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Experience interacting and collaborating with FIB vendors.
- Experience in the tool life cycle process ¿ identifying, specifying/procuring, planning, installing new instruments.
- Experience with semiconductor device design, fabrication and integration.
- Willingness to learn the fundamentals of semiconductor device design, fabrication and integration.
- Proven record of communication skills (publications and presentations).
- Experience or working knowledge of complementary materials analysis tools such as energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), x-ray imaging or computed tomography (CT), focused ion beam (FIB), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- Active DOE Q and SCI security clearance.
About Our TeamDept 5642 manages a diverse set of activities and program responsibilities surrounding microsystems assessment capability. Activities include a) overseeing the health of assessment capabilities to ensure customer deliverables are met today and tomorrow; b) partnering with research departments within 5600 and outside to develop and implement assessment technology and capability roadmaps to ensure future capability needs are met; c) leading assessment capability infrastructure projects to meet customer needs; d) partnering with cross program efforts between NW and DSA to further develop opportunities to strengthen/develop assessment capabilities; and e) providing cross cutting technical support for continuous improvement benefiting the Center 5600.
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.
