Cleared Senior Principal Computer Scientist - Space Systems, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 118,000 - 236,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM, is seeking experienced Computer Science professionals to join teams that architect, design, develop, test, and deploy modern data processing software for real-time decision support systems.

On any given day you may collaborate across disciplines, analyze existing systems, and lead innovative image processing and data-centric research projects on challenging remote sensing problems. Onsite work is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five years of directly relevant experience.
• Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent and the ability to obtain an SCI.
• Graduate degree in Computer Science or related field with independent research project preferred.
• Demonstrated software development skills with modern practices (e.g., Agile).
• Strong verbal and written communication; ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with object-oriented software development in C++, Java, or Python.
• Experience using CI/CD tools such as Maven, Gradle, Jenkins, GitLab, GitHub, or Docker.

Responsibilities

• Work on an Agile team developing software systems addressing remote sensing problems and real-time data processing.
• Collaborate with architects, developers, customers, and end users to collect requirements and deliver extensible software.
• Analyze existing systems and develop new solutions to push the state of the art.
• Propose and lead image processing and data-centric R&D projects.
• Use debugging and testing tools to address sophisticated software applications and libraries.
• Engage with specialists in data fusion, image processing, analytics, cloud computing, ML, and visualization.

Skills

C++/Java/Python experience

Software development

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Maven

Gradle

Jenkins

GitLab

GitHub

Docker

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

For over 70 years, Sandia National Laboratories has defined and brought into existence some of the most important scientific and engineering advances in global security. Our 15,000 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support personnel work daily on projects that ensure that a peaceful and prosperous world is possible.

Our Mission: To render exceptional service in the national interest, is more than a statement of values, it defines our commitment to the nation and the world to embrace a diverse and inclusive culture that sees only opportunities for collaboration, not boundaries, and to leverage that ethos to advance the United States' position as global leader and innovator.

To support this mission, we are seeking multiple experienced Computer Science professionals to join highly productive teams that research and develop innovative solutions to a broad spectrum of problems of national importance. In this role, you will collaborate in an innovative environment to architect, design, develop, test, and deploy modern data processing software for sophisticated, real‑time decision support systems!

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

• Work on an Agile team developing software systems addressing exciting remote sensing problems, including the capture, processing, exploitation, visualization, and distribution of real‑time satellite sensor data
• Collaborate with architects, developers, technical leads, customers, and end users to collect requirements, design solutions, and deliver extensible software applications
• Analyze existing systems and develop new solutions that push the state of what is possible
• Propose and lead image processing and data‑centric research and development projects
• Use debugging tools, static analysis tools, test harnesses, and other capabilities to address sophisticated software applications and libraries
• Engage with diverse specialists in areas such as data fusion, signal and image processing, analytics, cloud computing, machine learning, modeling and simulation, service architectures, data management and visualization, and pattern recognition

Our work is broad in character - much like the missions we serve - and we welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds and work experiences in fields including, but not limited to, software engineering (front and back end), data engineering, data science, software test engineering, and other specialties. We also strongly encourage candidates with backgrounds in other areas of the sciences and engineering with significant software development experience to apply.

Due to the nature of this 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.
• Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent and the ability to obtain an SCI.

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal R&D, S&E Computer Science candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Computer Science or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Demonstrated software development skills and familiarity with modern software development practices and tools (e.g., Agile).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and a passion to improve and expand technical skills.

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

• Experience with object‑oriented software development in C++, Java, or Python.
• Experience using a subset of the following: system engineering, hardware and software architecture, distributed system design, data exploitation/mining/fusion algorithms, digital signal processing, image processing, optical systems, command and control systems, numerical analysis, modeling and simulation, relational/object/geographic database technologies, user interfaces, scientific data visualization, web service technologies, and multi‑core/GPU/parallel computing
• Proficiency in a subset of the following: requirements capture, software modeling using UML, systems‑level software testing, high consequence anomaly resolution, documentation and training, information assurance, and deployment of delivered systems
• Experience using CI/CD tools such as Maven, Gradle, Jenkins, GitLab, GitHub, or Docker.
• Desire and ability to grow technical capabilities, programs, and staff.
• Active SCI.

About Our Team

Our team designs and develops sophisticated data processing systems and analytical applications that enable some of our nation's most compelling nonproliferation and national security missions. Our mission is to design, engineer, build, deploy and improve critical systems that transform data into decisions. Our systems support a range of applications including remote and in‑situ sensing systems; satellite communications and control; distributed computing and analysis; real‑time data collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination; and mission engineering and analysis. Our team's deep domain and technical experience, coupled with an operational mindset builds distinct and extraordinary capabilities for our nation and the people who put their lives on the line to protect it.

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.