Cleared Senior/Principal R&D Electrical Engineer - W93/Mk7 System Evaluation and Qualification,[...]

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 117,500 - 235,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements including 9

Relocation assistance

Generous vacation and benefits

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories seeks a highly skilled R&D Electrical Engineer to join the W93/Mk7 program. You will develop and lead testing activities to evaluate nuclear weapon systems, including functional and electromagnetic environment testing, collaborating across Sandia and external partners.

You will guide complex technical efforts, applying MBSE to align requirements with verification plans, and you will prepare comprehensive technical reports for reviews and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of directly relevant experience or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of detailed testing plans for early design evaluation and system qualification.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and partners to advance qualification strategies.
• Apply MBSE to map requirements to verification plans and data needs.
• Inform system architecture decisions toward successful qualification.
• Lead functional and EM test activities including analysis and reporting.
• Manage modeling and simulation resources for evidence packages.

Skills

Leadership skills

Collaboration

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

MBSE tools

RF/Microwave simulation

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.

• 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, 4/10 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 highly motivated R&D Electrical Engineers to join the W93/Mk7 program to develop and lead testing activities needed to evaluate and qualify the nuclear weapon system. This role encompasses both functional system performance testing and electromagnetic (EM) environment testing, depending on the candidate’s expertise and program needs. As part of a mission‑driven team, you will support the engineering and programmatic challenges of this new development effort.

You will lead complex technical efforts while fostering collaboration across diverse teams and stakeholders. This role is ideal for engineers who thrive in dynamic, collaborative environments and are passionate about applying their technical expertise to high‑impact national security challenges.

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

• Lead the development and execution of detailed testing plans for early design evaluation and formal system qualification, including performance characterization in operational and EM environments, test asset definition, hardware planning, and coordination of testing resources and facilities.
• Collaborate closely with scientists and engineers across Sandia, national laboratories, industry partners, and government agencies to develop and advance joint qualification strategies and testing agreements.
• Navigate and manage complex systems engineering challenges by applying model‑based systems engineering (MBSE) tools to map system requirements to verification requirements, test plans, data needs, and results.
• Engage directly with system design teams and component organizations throughout development to inform and mature system architecture and design decisions toward successful qualification.
• Lead and conduct both functional and EM test activities, including test planning, execution, data analysis, and generation of comprehensive technical reports.
• Manage modeling and simulation resources, integrating analysis with test activities to build robust evidence packages that support critical program decisions.
• Prepare and deliver presentations and technical documentation for diverse technical reviews and stakeholders.
• Work cooperatively with functional testing partners and EM experts to ensure effective test execution.

This role will require some travel. Due to the nature of the 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) clearance to start with the ability to obtain and maintain a Sigma 15 security clearance.

Qualifications We Desire

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

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Ability to work independently and collaborate well in a multidisciplinary team of designers and test engineers.
• Outstanding verbal and written skills, including the ability to develop and present briefings that are clear and compelling.

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

• Experience in nuclear weapon component or system design, development, qualification, or production.
• Experience in systems engineering of complex systems with multidisciplinary expertise across design, testing, and/or analysis.
• Specialized experience in functional testing of electrical circuits and/or electromagnetic environment testing, including familiarity with RF and microwave simulation, testing, and facilities.
• Knowledge of relevant military standards such as Mil‑Std‑461 (EM compatibility) and Mil‑Std‑464 (EM effects and requirements).
• Demonstrated ability to apply model‑based systems engineering (MBSE) techniques to manage interdependencies and complexities across the system.
• Proven ability to understand and work with a diverse set of technologies, testing methods, and analytical approaches.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to work successfully across broad teams with competing interests.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships across DOE, DoD, and external partners.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

About Our Team

The W93 System Evaluation and Qualification Department (02382) has the primary responsibility to plan and coordinate evaluation activities for the W93/Mk7 Navy Strategic Reentry System Program. These activities involve modeling, simulation, and physical ground testing, in support of the maturation and ultimate qualification of the W93/Mk7 reentry body system design.

We work closely with our partners and program stakeholders, including NNSA Federal Program Managers, the US Navy, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Los Alamos National Lab, the Sandia nuclear weapons component organizations, the Sandia science & technology community, Kansas City Plant National Security Campus (NSC), the UK Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), and many others, to coordinate expertise and implement effective approaches to better understand system technical knowledge gaps and validate the system works as intended.

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.