What Your Job Will Be LikeThe SLBM Warhead Systems teams for the W76-1 and W88 are working with the NNSA, U.S. Navy, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Department of the Navy contractors to assess warhead compatibility with the next-generation Trident missile, D5LE2. This is a highly collaborative, mission-critical effort in the early stages of development, spanning flight test vehicles, ground test equipment, and modeling and simulation that support the missile ground and flight test program.
This position is part of the W88 Stockpile Systems Team (2224) and supports two important mission areas: W76-1 and W88 D5LE2 compatibility requirements (approximately 75%) and W88 Stockpile System requirements management (approximately 25%).
In this role, you will contribute to nationally significant work alongside a highly skilled, interdisciplinary team. You will help define and manage system requirements that influence major weapon programs, while collaborating with partners across Sandia, the Nuclear Security Enterprise, and the Department of the Navy. This is an opportunity to apply systems engineering skills to complex technical challenges with visible mission impact.
On any given day, you may:
- Develop system requirements supporting W76-1 and W88 compatibility with the D5LE2 missile
- Manage and maintain requirements for the W88 Stockpile System
- Coordinate and interpret shared requirements with LANL and Lockheed Martin Space
- Support program leadership and Sandia management through metrics, planning, and burn-down activities
- Present technical work at design reviews and program meetings
- Partner with cross-functional teams to clarify customer needs and mature system requirements
- Provide guidance to systems and component engineers on writing clear, verifiable requirements
- Maintain requirements traceability and resolve issues involving orphaned requirements and inconsistent language
- Contribute to integration activities across modeling, simulation, and hardware development efforts
- Represent Sandia on joint project teams with partners including NNSA, the U.S. Navy, and LANL
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM. Some travel may be required for this position (up to 25%).
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 clearance .
Qualifications We DesireThe ideal R&D Systems Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following: - Graduate degree in Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
- Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLNL) and Kansas City National Security Campus/New Mexico Operations (KCNSC/NMO).
- Experience working on engineering design, qualification, production, or related modeling/simulation projects.
- 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: - Demonstrated proficiency with IBM Rational DOORS or a comparable requirements management tool.
- Experience developing, negotiating, and communicating requirements for Joint Test Assemblies or other nuclear weapon system-level designs.
- At least five years of experience working on a Product Realization Team (PRT) or within a nuclear weapons product realization or sustainment framework.
- Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to coordinate work across teams and stakeholders.
- Experience applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles and tools.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively across organizations, including management, DOE/DoD or DoN partners, and systems leads.
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment that values diversity of thought, experience, and background.
- Ability to build strong, trusted partnerships across technical and programmatic teams.
- Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently in an ambiguous or evolving environment.
About Our TeamWe are responsible for the Stockpile Support and Stockpile Maintenance activities associated with the W88/Mk5 SLBM-based nuclear weapon system. As a Systems Engineering organization, we lead planning, development, integration, and coordination with our Department of the Navy (DoN) customer in support of the Department of Energy's mission to safeguard the nation's defense.
Our team performs detailed structural design and analysis, electrical subsystem design and analysis, and the experimentation and qualification of systems, subsystems, and components. We also provide direction to supporting organizations across the laboratory and the production complex.
The department is comprised of electrical, mechanical, systems, and nuclear engineers; technologists; and administrative support staff. This multidisciplinary team draws on expertise from both inside and outside the department to accomplish its mission while employing modern quality methodologies. In addition to secure office space, the department also has access to mechanical high-bay and electrical laboratory space in Building 809.
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.
