Cleared Senior/Principal R&D Lead Mechanical Engineer - W76-1/-2 Weapon System Team, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM seeks a Lead Mechanical Engineer to drive critical projects supporting national security. You will own design, testing, and integration activities for the W76-1/-2 weapon system, leading cross-functional teams across the full product lifecycle.

The role emphasizes investigative freedom within the Nuclear Weapons community, delivering innovative solutions and enduring impact at every stage.

Qualifications

• Lead design and analysis of mechanical systems and subsystems.
• Experience guiding system integration and testing activities.
• Ability to troubleshoot anomalies across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze mechanical systems and subsystems.
• Lead system integration to ensure performance.
• Guide SME teams to inform design decisions.
• Plan environmental, performance and qualification tests.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams for mission success.
• Troubleshoot anomalies and resolve issues.
• Conduct peer reviews to ensure quality and innovation.
• Author detailed test reports.

Skills

Design and analysis

System integration

Troubleshooting

Tools

Modeling & simulation

Test configuration development

Job description

About Sandia

Job ID: 698878

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

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

Are you a driven mechanical engineer ready to lead critical projects that directly support national security? Join the W76-1/-2 Weapon System Team as a Lead Mechanical Engineer and take ownership of complex engineering challenges across design, testing, and system integration.

In this role, you will lead the development and execution of test configurations, system integration efforts, modeling and simulation activities, and large-scale system tests. You will develop deep expertise in the detailed functions of W76-1/-2 nuclear weapon components and subsystems, working across the full product lifecyclefrom concept and design through qualification, production, sustainment, and retirement.

This position offers the opportunity to exercise investigative freedom while collaborating broadly within the Nuclear Weapons community, allowing you to innovate and make a lasting impact at every stage.

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

• Design and analyze mechanical systems and subsystem assemblies with precision and creativity.
• Apply engineering principles to conduct trade studies and develop optimized system solutions.
• Lead system integration efforts to ensure seamless subsystem and system performance.
• Partner with modeling and simulation experts and guide subject matter experts to inform design decisions.
• Plan and lead environmental, performance, and qualification testing to validate system integrity.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams across the W76-1/-2 familyincluding stockpile sustainment and fast-paced development programs such as JTA3, Mk4B, ALT 939, and D5LE2to ensure mission success.
• Troubleshoot anomalies and resolve complex system issues through cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Conduct peer reviews of design concepts and efforts across the Labs to ensure quality and innovation.
• Author detailed test reports