What Your Job Will Be LikeWe are seeking a motivated scientist or engineer (R&D S&E Materials Science) to advance Sandia's science and engineering programs by leveraging our state-of-the-art radiography and computed tomography capabilities. The successful candidate will apply sound technical judgment grounded in fundamental scientific principles and engineering methodologies to deliver impactful national security research. This role demands expertise in conducting rigorous, original, and independent research focused on assessing the integrity of manufactured components critical to our scientific and defense missions. As a key member of the Sandia/California Radiography team, the candidate will contribute to component design and process development, materials evaluation, failure analysis, product and process qualification, and other research and development (R&D) activities requiring radiography and advanced non-destructive evaluation techniques.
On any given day you may:
- Conduct innovative, original, and independent research leveraging current capabilities and AI/ML techniques to advance broad national security mission objectives, including cross-site collaborative proposal development to capture Sandia-internal and external funding.
- Support daily evaluation of the structure and integrity of critical manufactured components through experiments and AI/ML-driven experiments and data analysis using existing tools to deliver immediate results.
- Perform materials evaluation and failure analysis with advanced software and machine learning models to define product requirements and specifications.
- Design components and processes, including fixtures for 2D/3D radiography, integrating AI/ML methods to enhance materials research, fabrication, and application development.
- Provide on-site consultations to engineers on product/process qualifications, visual assessments, drawing reviews, and AI-assisted imaging tool recommendations.
- Operate, maintain, and enhance unique digital radiography and computed tomography capabilities, applying AI/ML for improved image processing and analysis, collaborating with national security and energy customers and lab teams to deliver accurate solutions.
- Promote workplace safety by analyzing hazards, developing controls, and documenting safety procedures and best practices.
- Present R&D results at workshops, conferences, and meetings, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and foster partnerships to expand lab capabilities, emphasizing AI/ML-driven innovations.
The position requires an ability to travel up to 15% to support the mission.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite 100% of the time at the Livermore, CA facility.
Applicants on this requisition may be interviewed by multiple organizations at Sandia National Laboratories.
Salary Range$139,900 - $280,600
*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 Department of Energy Q-level security clearance.
Qualifications We DesireThe ideal R&D S&E Materials Science candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:
- Graduate degree in Materials Science or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
- Experience in a research and development environment.
- Experience with materials characterization techniques.
- Experience working on teams consisting of multidisciplinary and multi-disciplinary experimentalists, modelers, and theorists with a common goal.
- Effective interpersonal skills for giving presentations, preparing reports, writing articles, and explaining the important aspects of technical work to customers.
Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:
- Master's degree or higher in Materials Science, Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field, with at least ten years of relevant experience demonstrating the expertise and skills required for the role; a Ph.D. in one of these fields with 2-5 years of relevant professional experience is preferred.
- Proven experience with X-ray imaging technologies, such as digital radiography and computed tomography, along with proficiency in using image analysis software to process and interpret digital imaging data.
- Proven track record of technical excellence and innovation, and demonstrated ability to perform original, independent research as evidenced by publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
- Experience in the use of AI tools in the design and execution of autonomous experiments, data analysis, and decision science.
- Ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage and collaborate within a team environment.
About Our TeamThe Materials Characterization and Performance Department, Sandia Livermore, CA specializes in research involving the characterization of materials for energy and national security applications. Projects and capabilities in the department's research portfolio revolve around advanced micro and nanoscale materials characterization, including extensive electron microscopy, X-ray tomography and radiography. Our research brings together complementary experimental and modeling approaches to understanding relationships among material structure, chemistry, bonding, and performance. The team is committed to attracting, retaining, and cultivating an outstanding workforce representing a broad group of people and perspectives.
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.
