What Your Job Will Be LikeWe are seeking an R&D Mechanical Engineer (job title: R&D S&E, Mechanical Engineering) to join our team. This role will lead the National Solar Thermal Test Facility's testing operations, maintenance, and continuous improvement program. The work performed will help our team to improve our process for scheduling and performing testing, maintaining the facility, and improving our ability to deliver for both our DOE, ND, and DOD partners.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Lead the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) site programmatic maintenance program & DOE reporting.
- Lead or support solar thermal test campaigns as PI/POC.
- Work with Facilities to improve our capabilities.
- Assist in the planning and coordinating of testing programs and schedules.
- Oversee site inventory (e.g., propane, programmatic equipment, etc.).
- Maintain a calibration program (e.g., gauges, IR cameras, and measurement tools).
- Support a controls and data automation suite across the site.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. This position is located in Albuquerque, NM.
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- 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-level security clearance.
Qualifications We DesireThe ideal R&D S&E, Mechanical Engineering candidate for Sandia National Laboratories 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:
- Experience with large scale test programs or supporting environmental test campaigns.
- Active DOE Q-level security clearance.
- Experience with FMEA or Risk Analysis Methods for large scale test programs.
- Familiarity with equipment or systems verification, validation, and qualification.
- Introduction to the calibration of tools, thermocouples, or measurement devices for ND applications.
- Experience in 3D CAD design and the development of mechanical components.
- Experience working in an industrial facility or operational environment.
- Knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, or material mechanics
- Commitment to a culture of safety and security.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively work in a team environment that includes engineering staff, and technologists.
- Experience with Maximo or other maintenance software.
About Our TeamThe Solar Thermal Test & Demonstration department operates Sandia's National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF), a globally unique, multi-mission R&D capability that enables pioneering research and technology development for energy and aerospace applications. Using concentrated sunlight, our team creates extreme thermal and combined harsh environments for tests ranging from small-scale coupons to full-scale, multi-story components and systems. We develop and test advanced thermal protection materials, optical metrology systems, innovative solar thermal energy technologies, and heat transfer technologies, including heat exchangers and heat pumps.
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.
