What Your Job Will Be LikeWe are seeking a dedicated R&D Systems/Electrical/Optical/Mechanical Engineer to be the technical LAZAP lead. LAZAP is a facility that supports the calibration and functional testing of optical satellite payloads for the U.S. Nuclear Detonation (NUDET) Detection System (USNDS). The testing is accomplished by directing a high-powered laser(s) thru a beam director to a target in space.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Work with a team of engineers and technologists to collaborate on challenging laser / optical / electromechanical / software systems / safety systems, as well as being the point of contact to coordinate the testing with other agencies.
- Be certified to operate all mission positions. At the completion of each mission, you will lead the data analysis and report generation.
- A critical aspect of the project leading role is understanding the entire facility hardware and software architecture, creating and implementing an R&D and M&O (maintenance and operations) roadmap for capability improvements and the avoidance of equipment/software obsolescence while maintaining a safe work practice.
- Report the monthly milestone and budget status to USNDS Sandia National Labs program and line management as well as the customer when required.
- Maintain a strong safety theme, assuring a working environment within the defined safety envelope
LAZAP is located east of Sandia Tech Area 1 in Albuquerque, and a virtual tour of the facility may be viewed at the following link: https://tours.sandia.gov/lazap_info.php
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.
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 security clearance
Qualifications We DesireThe ideal R&D S&E Systems Engineering 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 National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory, 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:
- Proven experience with technical leadership (i.e. defining and overseeing technical projects, budgets, and up-reporting on progress)
- Demonstrated self-motivation, positive attitude and willingness to work in an environment sometimes requiring rapid and accurate decision making with potentially high consequences.
- Experience with formal project management (planning, scheduling, cost management) and corporate Work Planning & Controls process.
- Experience with high consequence safety themes and associated safety controls
- Experience with testing, data collection and interpretation, and troubleshooting
- Experience designing and troubleshooting complex electromechanical systems
- Excellent communication skills
- Experience with lasers, optics, video systems, and/or telescopes
- Software development / programming with one or more of the following: Microsoft C# and Visual Basic; SQL database; embedded microcontroller programming; Programable Logic Control (PLC) Ladder Logic; Satellite Toolkit (STK); C; QNX Realtime OS
- Electronic and/or electromechanical experience, including work with electronic circuits, and the maintenance and troubleshooting of instrumentation, electronics, and complex cables/harnesses
- Basic qualifications with laboratory-level machine shop tools
- Experience with material sourcing, selection, and procurement
- Dedication to a positive teaming dynamic while attaining shared objectives, strong written and verbal skills, and detail oriented with a keen focus on customer service
- Strong problem-solving skills, and a willingness to submit work for extensive review
- History of being proactive and following through on assignments while producing consistent, high-quality work
- Ability to prioritize and balance competing activities and manage ambiguity
- Ability to support night / off hour testing
About Our TeamThe optics and sensors engineering department conceives, designs, and builds new integrated sensor systems to solve national problems with remotely sensed data. To execute the sensor development lifecycle, the department utilizes core competencies in optics and sensor sciences, sensor system engineering, advanced modeling and simulation, and data exploitation. Typical activities completed by the department include: -The optics and sensors engineering department conceives, designs, and builds new integrated sensor systems to solve national problems with remotely sensed data. To execute the sensor development lifecycle, the department utilizes core competencies in optics and sensor sciences, sensor system engineering, advanced modeling and simulation, and data exploitation. Typical activities completed by the department include:- Mission-to-system trade-space evaluation and conceptual design- Optical design development- End-to-end sensor performance prediction- Development of sensor requirements- Optical alignment and test- Sensor development and characterization- Sensor system qualification
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.
