Cleared R&D Manager - High Integrity Systems, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 163,700 - 278,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Flexible work arrangements (9/80, 4/10

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico is seeking a Cleared R&D Manager to lead the High Integrity Systems Department. You will guide a diverse team of engineers and technologists to deliver secure embedded systems with rigorous fail-safe design and NSA-approved architectures.

This onsite role emphasizes building partnerships with government sponsors, managing a large security footprint, and shaping strategic direction across Sandia’s NSA/FSET programs.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree and eight years of directly relevant experience.
• An active DOE Q clearance is required to start.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Guide a diverse team of 20+ staff and technologists, set priorities and mentor.
• Provide programmatic leadership for multiple Strategic Partnership Programs.
• Grow partnerships with Sandia organizations working on NSA/FSET certified systems.
• Develop trust-based relationships with U.S. Government sponsors including USAF and USSF.
• Manage a large security footprint including four VTRs and a very active CWS.
• Collaborate with L1 managers to align strategic plans and synergies.

Skills

Active DOE Q clearance

Ability to obtain SCI clearance

Leadership experience

Embedded system design know-how

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

Cleared R&D Manager - High Integrity Systems, Onsite

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.

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*.

*These benefits vary by job classification.

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

What Your Job Will Be Like:

The Firing and Embedded Systems Group (7620) is seeking an R&D Manager to lead the High Integrity Systems Department, 7622. The High Integrity Systems Department designs and realizes high consequence secure embedded systems where information protection, fail‑safe design, and the highest levels of rigor are paramount to our nation’s security. 7622 has developed NSA‑approved secure processing architectures and systems for over two decades for a diverse set of applications including Military GPS, USNDS, Use Control, and others. The department is a multi‑disciplinary team with expertise in all aspects of embedded system design, including PCB engineering, FPGA/ASIC design, embedded software, and mechanical module design.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Guide the work of a diverse team of 20+ staff and technologists, establish priorities to manage workload, and facilitate mentorship and knowledge transfer
• Provide programmatic leadership for multiple Strategic Partnership Programs
• Establish new and grow existing partnerships with other organizations at Sandia that work on NSA/FSET certified systems
• Develop and expand trust‑based relationships with U.S. Government sponsors including the USAF and USSF
• Manage a large security footprint including four VTRs and a very active CWS
• Collaborate with other L1 managers and leadership within the Group and Center in developing and executing strategic vision, plans, and activities that leverage synergies between SPP and ND missions
• Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required 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
• An active DOE Q clearance, or equivalent is required to start
• Ability to obtain and maintain an SCI clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

• 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
• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science
• Proven ability to lead high‑performing teams across multiple organizations, manage staff on large projects, mentor team members, and foster a positive work environment to achieve successful results
• Demonstrated commitment to employee well‑being and a culture where people feel respected, heard, and accountable
• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive strategic direction of a program
• Experience establishing strong trust‑based relationships with both internal and external customers
• Demonstrated ability to champion ideas and grow a business area
• Experience leading Strategic Partnership Programs
• Experience leading and developing staff across career stages including coaching, mentoring, knowledge transfer, and succession planning
• Experience with one or more aspects of embedded system design, including PCB engineering, FPGA/ASIC design, embedded software, and desktop/test software
• Understanding of software‑based systems and hardware‑software co‑design
• Familiarity with NSA certification, fail safe design assurance, and TEMPEST

About Our Team:

The Firing & Embedded Systems group (2620) is a recognized leader in realizing safe, secure, and reliable products. We research, design, develop, and deliver highly reliable, trusted systems and high consequence hardware and software products to serve our National Security customers today, tomorrow, and always. Our technical backgrounds are diverse. Some of us have spent years focusing on the fine details of particular technologies and are recognized as nation‑level experts. Some of us are generalists and support multiple projects, keeping things connected and developing new skills. Our teams are comprised of specialists and generalists working together, and it is easy to shift between projects and technical roles over time. If this environment sounds appealing, we’d like to meet you.

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.