What Your Job Will Be Like

Are you looking to be a leader on a team that handles tough challenges for national security? If so, we are looking for a highly motivated R&D S&E Experienced Staff member to join our Non-Destructive Environments and Diagnostics (1529) team. Our team is responsible for developing and employing transformative non-destructive evaluation methods for national security applications. We are recognized leaders in the field, specializing in capabilities such as radiography, computed tomography, ultrasound, eddy current, dye penetrant, and shearography. Our group balances laboratory and field testing with state-of-the-art equipment to support our mission.

In this role, you will support science and engineering research, development, and application activities in support of Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) missions. On any given day, you may be called to:

• Collaborate with internal and external partners (labs, universities, industry) to advance NDE techniques.
• Communicate with Org. 1529's mission partners to conduct a wide variety of experiments using non-destructive techniques, identify the most appropriate approach for each project and clearly explain results and recommendations.
• Lead the oversight of NDE equipment and infrastructure, guiding the technical roadmap decisions
• Ensure safe, effective operation of lab equipment and lead corrective actions as needed.
• Partner with the team project priorities and develop innovative testing
• Shape the approach to data analysis and delivery of results, to support updates to leadership
• Document results for customers and contribute to conference proceedings and peer-reviewed journal papers
• Conceive and implement new solutions and improvements to the group's technical and operational procedures.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Salary Range

$138,600 - $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.
• Current active DOE Q clearance

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal R&D S&E Mechanical Engineer 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:

• Graduate degree in Aerospace/Computer/Electrical/Materials/Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field.
• Experience with non-destructive testing and evaluation techniques.
• Experience with engineering materials, processes, and product realization in the NNSA complex.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, for technical reports, proposals, and presentations.
• Background in nuclear weapons, energy systems, national security, or aerospace applications
• Knowledge of scientific instrumentation, materials characterization, electrical or structural failure analysis, additive manufacturing, AI/ML for engineering, or autonomous systems.
• Self-directed, customer-focused, with strong interpersonal, teaming, and analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to understand and work across diverse technologies and disciplines; demonstrated ability to maintain and grow contacts across national security enterprise mission space.
• Proven track record of team collaboration, customer engagement and trade studies to identify optimal system solutions
• Experience coordinating multi-team efforts for complex systems
• Familiarity with anomaly investigations and cross-functional teams

About Our Team

The Non-Destructive Environments and Diagnostics department (1529) is an integral part of the Experimental Solid Mechanics and Structural Dynamics group (1520) at Sandia National Laboratories. Our mission is to develop and employ innovative non-destructive evaluation methods to support national security applications. We provide comprehensive support through design assistance, environment simulation, diagnostics, qualification activities, field testing, and engineering discovery. Our team collaborates closely with other departments and external entities to ensure accurate and reproducible data in mission-relevant mechanical environments. We maintain a robust R&D portfolio focused on advancing non-destructive testing methodologies and enhancing the qualification of systems critical to our nation's security.

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.