Cleared R&D Engineering Support Technologist - Weapon Modernization Hardware & Assembly Laborat[...]

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 74,700 - 144,400; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico is seeking a Cleared R&D Engineering Support Technologist to join the WMHALO quality team onsite. You will contribute to hardware readiness and ensure builds meet specifications through thorough QA documentation.

The role involves supporting disassembly and assembly activities, participating in readiness reviews, documenting nonconformances, and collaborating with hardware teams. Requires a DOE Q clearance and 3+ years of related QA experience.

Qualifications

• Three (3) or more years of directly related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated quality control and/or quality assurance experience in an R&D or manufacturing environment.
• Active U.S. DOE Q‑level security clearance with ability to obtain and maintain a SIGMA15, which includes random polygraphs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and/or support QA aspects of work planning to identify and control hazards (electrical, mechanical, thermal, chemical, radiological, explosive, etc.), ensuring work is executed with a safe‑by‑design approach.
• Perform critical QA activities in support of modernization programs including B61-12, B61-13, B61-14/15, W80-4, W87-1, W80-5, and W93-0.
• Conduct detailed verifications to confirm consistency between published hardware needs, drawings, and received hardware prior to assembly hand‑off.
• Participate in readiness reviews for critical hardware, assembly, and disassembly activities related to developmental and qualification testing.
• Identify and document hardware nonconformances and problem reports to correct issues and inform component and system design improvements.
• Engage in detailed assembly and disassembly operations of new weapons designs within a best‑in‑class laboratory environment.
• Collaborate closely with hardware and assembly teams to ensure the readiness and quality of all lab operations.

Skills

Quality assurance

Attention to detail

Communication

Team collaboration

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Tools

MS Office Suite

SharePoint

PDMLink

PRIME

Job description

Cleared R&D Engineering Support Technologist - Weapon Modernization Hardware & Assembly Laboratory Operations, Onsite

We are seeking highly qualified Engineering Support Technologists to join the Weapon Modernization Hardware and Assembly Laboratories (WMHALO, Org. 2331) Quality team. As a member of the WMHAlO Quality team, you will play a key role in supporting assembly and disassembly processes to ensure all builds meet specifications and are thoroughly documented for quality assurance (QA).

On any given day, you may be asked to:

• Lead and/or support QA aspects of work planning to identify and control hazards (electrical, mechanical, thermal, chemical, radiological, explosive, etc.), ensuring work is executed with a safe‑by‑design approach.
• Perform critical QA activities in support of modernization programs including B61-12, B61-13, B61-14/15, W80-4, W87-1, W80-5, and W93-0.
• Conduct detailed verifications to confirm consistency between published hardware needs, drawings, and received hardware prior to assembly hand‑off.
• Participate in readiness reviews for critical hardware, assembly, and disassembly activities related to developmental and qualification testing.
• Identify and document hardware nonconformances and problem reports to correct issues and inform component and system design improvements.
• Engage in detailed assembly and disassembly operations of new weapons designs within a best‑in‑class laboratory environment.
• Collaborate closely with hardware and assembly teams to ensure the readiness and quality of all lab operations.

Salary Range: $74,700 - $144,400

Qualifications We Require

• Three (3) or more years of directly related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated quality control and/or quality assurance experience in an R&D or manufacturing environment.
• Active U.S. DOE Q‑level security clearance with ability to obtain and maintain a SIGMA15, which includes random polygraphs.

Qualifications We Desire

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math).
• Prior experience in nuclear weapon or satellite hardware, assembly, quality, or testing roles.
• Formal training related to quality engineering, mistake proofing, and/or human factors.
• Ability to read, comprehend, apply, and accurately maintain assembly records, including WP&C documentation, assembly/disassembly procedures, drawings, and technical work documents.
• Experience working with classified information, hardware, and accountable materials.
• Knowledge of safe handling, inspection, and assembly/disassembly of explosive, radiological, and other hazardous components.
• Experience handling ESD‑sensitive electronic components and knowledge of ESD controls and mitigations.
• Experience maintaining lab facilities and systems by tracking and conducting daily and periodic checks and preventive maintenance of critical systems such as overhead cranes, forklifts, tools, ESD floors, ventilation systems, facility grounding, and lightning warning and protection systems.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in writing, and to work effectively with other technologists, engineers, scientists.
• Proven success in positions requiring concentration and attention to detail.
• Experience using MS Office Suite, SharePoint, PDMLink, and PRIME.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or higher.
• Demonstrated success working independently as well as part of a team.
• Desire to work in a supportive team environment.

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.

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.