Cleared Early Career R&D Nuclear Engineer, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque is seeking an R&D Nuclear Engineer to analyze worldwide nuclear material holdings and assess security status using all-source intelligence. You will research technical topics, evaluate information, and produce analytical reports while building expertise in physical security, nuclear materials, and risk assessment concepts.

As you progress, you may contribute to and lead publications on topics related to nuclear materials security and associated

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with ability to perform independent research and development.
• Active DOE Q clearance (or equivalent) to start, plus ability to obtain and maintain a SCI which may include a polygraph examination.
• Graduate degree in Nuclear Engineering or related field where independent research was required.
• Operational experience with radiological and/or nuclear facilities.
• Experience performing radiation transport modeling.
• Knowledge of criticality safety and criticality analyses.
• Strong verbal and written communications; ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to understand, synthesize, and draw insights from multiple data streams.
• Experience producing finished analytic products for the Intelligence Community.
• Active SCI security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Analyze worldwide nuclear material holdings and assess security status.
• Research technical topics and produce written analytical reports.
• Develop strong technical understanding of physical security, nuclear materials, and risk concepts.
• Lead publications on topics related to nuclear materials security and related technologies.
• A writing sample may be requested prior to interviews.

Skills

Analytical writing

Verbal and written communication

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Independent research

Attention to detail

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline

Graduate degree in Nuclear Engineering or related field

Job description

About Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting‑edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co‑workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten‑hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part‑time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

About Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting‑edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co‑workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten‑hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part‑time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

• These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like

We are seeking an R&D Nuclear Engineer to analyze worldwide nuclear material holdings and assess their security status using all-source intelligence. In this role, you will independently research technical topics, critically evaluate the information using established methodologies, and produce written analytical reports. To excel in this role, you will develop a strong technical understanding of physical security, nuclear materials, and risk assessment concepts that underpin the analysis. Immediate responsibilities will include independent research, application of developed methodologies, analysis, and writing.

As your knowledge, skills, and abilities progress, you will have opportunities to contribute to and lead publications of finished intelligence on topics related to nuclear materials security, nuclear weapons, weaponization, and associated technologies.

Qualified candidates may be asked to provide a writing sample (500 words or more) prior to any scheduled interviews.

The Sandia job code title for this position is R&D Nuclear Engineer; however, candidates may come from a variety of disciplines including Aerospace, Mechanical, Electronics/Hardware, Nuclear, Chemical, Material, Systems Engineering, or other STEM fields.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite 100% of the time.

Salary Range

$102,400 - $199,700

• 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, 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.
• Active DOE Q clearance (or equivalent such as Active DOD Top Secret) is required to start, plus the ability to obtain and maintain a SCI which may include a polygraph examination

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal R&D Nuclear Engineering candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Nuclear Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Operational experience with radiological and/or nuclear facilities.
• Experience performing radiation transport modeling.
• Knowledge of criticality safety and criticality analyses.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills, and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

• Ability to understand, synthesize, and draw insights from multiple types of data streams (e.g., technical, economic, policy).
• Experience producing finished analytic products for the Intelligence Community.
• Openness to receiving and learning from constructive feedback.
• Proactive initiative and curiosity with a desire to learn and take ownership of problem-solving and professional development.
• Adaptability and flexibility to adjust to changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Attention to detail to ensure accuracy and quality in analyses and documentation.
• Time management and organizational skills to handle multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently.
• Active SCI security clearance.

About Our Team

The primary mission of the Threat Assessments Group (5920) is to assess the threats posed to US national security interests by foreign advanced weapons and technological capabilities, with emphasis on nuclear weapons. Our analyses inform policymakers and senior officials across the US government responsible for understanding the threats and risks posed by these weapons and relevant technologies. This high impact program area is steadily growing and stewards key capabilities associated with all-source intelligence analysis, computational modeling, and engineering studies.

Posting Duration

This 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.

Security Clearance

Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD). Sandia is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

Eeo

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements For MedPEDs

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug‑releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Job ID: 698555

Job Family: RD

Regular/Temporary Position: R

Full/Part-Time Status: F