What Your Job Will Be LikeJoin a dynamic R&D team supporting high-visibility programs critical to national security. As an R&D Mechanical Engineer, you will support space-based payload development across the full product lifecycle¿from conceptual design through fabrication, assembly, qualification, and test.
This role focuses on mechanical design and product realization for space hardware, including translating mechanical and optical concepts into detailed designs, drawings, fabricated hardware, and technical documentation. You will also manage build-to-print components, COTS materials, suppliers, and manufacturing activities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies for space payloads.
- Develop and interpret mechanical drawings, tolerances, and CAD models.
- Support fabrication, assembly, inspection, qualification, and testing of flight hardware.
- Manage mechanical suppliers, including supplier selection, development, performance, quality, and delivery.
- Work with suppliers on fabrication, special processes, inspections, nonconformances, and corrective actions.
- Apply rigorous product qualification processes to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance.
- Maintain configuration control and product/documentation traceability.
- Support project cost and schedule tracking, including earned value management.
- Collaborate closely with mechanical, systems, quality, configuration management, program management, purchasing, manufacturing, and external suppliers.
- Balance multiple projects and responsibilities in a fast-paced, collaborative R&D environment.
Due to the nature of work, successful candidate must be onsite. Approximately 10% travel is required.
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 level security clearance
Qualifications We DesireThe ideal R&D 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:
- Experience with mechanical design utilizing CAD tools.
- Experience with configuration management and product/documentation control.
- Experience with supplier management and performance monitoring.
- Experience with high-rigor product qualification.
- Experience designing mechanical hardware for aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability applications.
- Experience with Creo or similar mechanical CAD tools.
- Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and design-for-manufacturability experience.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, manufacturing organizations, and external suppliers.
- Experience with mechanical product realization, procurement, inspection, and supplier development.
- Knowledge of machining, additive/subtractive manufacturing, coatings, plating, finishes, and special processes.
- Experience managing supplier nonconformances, corrective actions, assessments, and build-to-print hardware.
- Experience with mechanical measurement, inspection techniques, and measurement uncertainty.
- Familiarity with earned value management and project cost/schedule control.
- Knowledge of AS9100 and quality management systems.
- Experience with purchase requisitions/orders and manufacturing liaison activities.
- Experience with configuration management tools and processes.
- Demonstrated success qualifying flight or other high-reliability hardware.
About Our TeamThe manager of this department serves as the Deputy to the Senior Manager of the Remote Sensing Systems Group and helps oversee the execution and delivery of commitments to the programs which it supports. The staff in 05781 provides necessary software development and cyber support for numerous application and data file servers (such as Citadel), database applications, SharePoint, Global Burst Detector (GBD) Test Analysis and Management, GBD Technical Requirements Document Editor, Action Request System, DOORS, QMS software tools and other program needs of Center 5700 and the Satellite Enterprise. See Center 5700 Software Applications for a complete list of supported applications.
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.
Essential FunctionsIf offered the position, you may be required to demonstrate your fitness to perform certain physical aspects of the position, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
