Cleared R&D Manager, Cyber Threat Program - 5627, Onsite

Cyber Security Jobs; Albuquerque, Northern (NM, KY); Hybrid; USD 167,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a Manager, R&D Science and Engineering, to lead cybersecurity research programs and oversee cross‑organizational teams. The role requires directing staff in Department 5627, building relationships with DoW and government sponsors, and shaping strategic R&D trajectories across national security initiatives.

The position emphasizes leadership, technical breadth, and the ability to deliver innovative cyber capabilities while coordinating recruitment and staff

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline with 8+ years of directly relevant experience or equivalent
• Active DOE Q clearance is required to start, with ability to obtain SCI and polygraph
• Graduate degree (MS or PhD) in science or engineering is desirable

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage members of the workforce in Department 5627, Systems Security Research
• Oversee program maintenance and development for the Cyber Threat Program with key government sponsors
• Build relationships and develop business with DoW, NNSA, and other agencies
• Set strategic R&D vision and establish collaborations across Sandia and the Threat Intelligence Community
• Recruit, develop, and retain staff and drive innovation within the department

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Security clearance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

MS/PhD in science or engineering

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*

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 a Manager, R&D Science and Engineering.

Daily duties consist of managing members of the workforce in Department 5627, Systems Security Research, and leading staff matrixed from other organizations around the Lab. This role will also have program maintenance and development responsibilities for the Cyber Threat Program with the Department of War (DoW), NNSA, and other government entities and programs outside the National Security Program. The manager will be responsible for working with the program team to build new relationships and develop new business with key customers in the DoW and across the government. The role requires the ability to set a strategic vision in R&D to build new capabilities. This manager must be able to establish and maintain strong synergistic relationships within 5600 and Threat Intelligence Community management teams, serving as a collaborative partner across SNL in establishing and executing Sandia's Mission Area strategies.

In addition, the manager will play a key role in staff recruitment and retention and will have opportunities to drive innovation for the department, group, and center.

Must be able to travel up to 2 times per month and interact positively with a diverse set of SPP/SIPP sponsors.

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

Salary Range

$163,700 - $278,000

*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 eight (8) 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.
• Active DOE Q clearance 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 Manager candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Two or more years of demonstrated leadership experience.
• A graduate degree in science or engineering (MS or Ph.D.).
• Outstanding interpersonal skills in developing trusting relationships with peers, staff, management, customers, and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in the development and delivery of presentations, proposals, reports and documentation.

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

• PhD in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or closely related field plus 5 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage R&D projects.
• Demonstrated ability to manage diverse security requirements in a classified environment.
• Successful experience in project management.
• Successful experience in business development with the Department of Defense or similar government entities and understanding of the SPP/SIPP process and business model at SNL.
• Successful experience in delivering R&D technologies and products to US government sponsors.
• Demonstrated leadership in developing customer requirements into technical research roadmaps.
• Demonstrated ability to technically lead teams in the research and development of novel cyber security, network analytics, and/or cyber modeling and simulation techniques.
• Strong desire to support and work interactively with management teams, project teams, and customers.
• Current or previous SCI clearance.
• Must meet the eligibility requirements in HR100.1.9, Unified Hiring Process for Management positions.
• Application of leadership competencies and Full Spectrum Leadership Targeted Selection Process is the norm for all management positions.

About Our Team

Organization 5620, Cyber‑Physical Mission R&D, is seeking a team‑oriented manager to lead and coordinate research in cyber‑physical security. The successful candidate will have demonstrated the ability to work in a dynamic teaming environment, partnering across the Threat Intelligence Community to deliver on national security missions. The manager of 5627 is expected to provide leadership and oversight for the department's work. This includes leading high‑performing cyber security teams in the acquisition, development, and delivery of high consequence systems. The department is responsible for projects across the entire product lifecycle. The manager is also expected to develop enduring relationships with sponsors and key stakeholders.

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.