What Your Job Will Be LikeAre you passionate about your work and dream of utilizing state-of-the-art facilities to explore solutions? Would you like to join a dynamic team that solves challenging issues for our nation's security? If so, we invite you to explore this new and exciting engineering opportunity.
The Advanced Special Communications Systems Organization (5373) is seeking a motivated RF Engineer to join their team. This position focuses on providing specialized RF engineering expertise, particularly in applied electromagnetics throughout the research, development, and fielding lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, model, analyze, and test RF electronics circuits
- Design antennas
- Develop RF system concepts
- Create and coordinate requirements
- Participate in product realization and engage with external customers
- Document design definitions
- Perform system integration activities
The ideal candidate will possess strong teamwork skills and a background in electronics engineering (RF, analog, digital) within size, weight, and power (SWaP) constrained systems.
Our special communication systems include highly optimized, ultra-low DC power, size-constrained RF receiver/transmitter designs, as well as groundbreaking signal processing. These systems are deployed in battery-powered field sensors, small satellite payloads, manned and unmanned aircraft (UAV/UAS) applications, and handheld (dismount) applications. Projects range from fast-paced, quick-reaction requests in response to real-world needs to longer-term, life-critical efforts with rigorous development and quality requirements. You will be part of a multi-disciplinary, success-oriented high-performance team, with occasional travel required.
On any given day, you may be called upon to:
- Contribute to conceptualization, requirements development, circuit design, modeling and simulation, and product realization
- RF and microwave circuit optimization through MMIC, MCM, and RFIC design definition
- Develop design definition documentation, conduct qualification and acceptance testing, and engage in process development, system deployment, and sustainment activities
- Collaborate on and develop mixed-signal (RF, analog, digital) electrical designs for special communication systems
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite. Relocation provided for those who qualify.
Applicants on this requisition may be interviewed by multiple organizations at Sandia National Laboratories.
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 acquire and maintain a DOE Q clearance and SCI clearance, which may require a polygraph.
Qualifications We DesireThe ideal R&D S&E microwave and sensor engineering candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:
- Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
- Laboratory skills and knowledge of RF and digital test equipment.
- Knowledge of RF, Digital Communications, Electronic Warfare, and Cyber Security systems and principles.
- Ability to work successfully in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, teaming environment.
Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:
- Proven leadership, documentation, and verbal communication skills
- Familiarity with DoD, SOF, and IC organizations
- Experience with high consequence electronics applications (ex. Space, weapons, and/or other high-security applications)
- Comfortable in high security working environments (SCI, SAP, CAP, and other community accesses)
- Experience with RF/microwave/EM applications
- Familiarity with custom integrated circuits to include MMIC, MCM, and RFIC
- Electromagnetics modeling, design, and tuning of unique form-factor antennas
- Experience with commercial RF/microwave circuit simulation and antenna design tools such as HFSS, ADS, CST, Momentum, Genesys, FEKO, IE3D, etc.
- Experience or familiarity with the following software: Python, GNU Radio, and MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent is desirable
- Familiarity with general test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, DVM, logic analyzers) and RF test equipment (network analyzer, spectrum analyzer)
Experience with mixed signal digital, RF/Microwave, and analog hardware design including schematic capture and layout of high density printed wiring assemblies - Ability to plan, coordinate, and document field tests
- Knowledge of Digital Communications, radar, and/or EW systems and principles
- Ability to Lead both small and large development teams (two-to-eight members)
- Great presentation skills with interest and ability to interact with internal and external customers
- Be motivated by working with a highly successful, dynamic project team delivering systems that impact our National Security
- Active DOE Q clearance
- Active SCI clearance
About Our TeamThe RF & Systems Electronics Center (Center 5300) provides key electronics systems work to a wide variety of nuclear weapons, space, intelligence and military programs across Sandia and the Nation. The Strategic RF and Electronic Systems group (5370) supports the Nation's technology superiority strategies by delivering capabilities for RF & spectral dominance, global highly-reliable communications, and novel advancements for future strength. We are a highly dynamic set of departments that cross-team to provide integrated engineering systems solutions ranging from core research through prototype development and high-end, fielded products.
The Advanced Special Communications Systems department (5373) strives to Develop terrestrial, airborne, and space based special communications systems for use in surveillance and reconnaissance, Tagging Tracking and Locating (TTL), and the relay/detection/characterization of RF signals in challenging environments. Our customers include a variety of government organizations including the Intelligence Community and those conducting special operations missions. Our staff members have a diverse skills base including microwave circuit design, antenna design, signal analysis, digital signal processing, embedded software, space systems, and digital FPGA designs. Applications include long and short-range communications and transponder systems, typically utilizing ultra-low power signaling techniques. Our design challenges include highly miniaturized electronics, low-power transceivers, signal extraction in very low signal-to-noise environments, and signal analysis of RF and communication systems.
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.
