Cleared Senior/Principal R&D Systems Engineer - Mk21 Fuze Systems Engineering, Electrical, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; California (MO); On-site; USD 139,900 - 280,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

relocation assistance

Generous vacation

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking experienced R&D Systems Engineers with an Electrical Engineering background to contribute to the Mk21 Fuze Mod and Sentinel program. The role supports ramping to full-scale production, qualification, and sustainment across a diverse project portfolio and requires onsite work 100% of the time.

Ideal candidates will lead multidisciplinary teams, collaborate with NSE partners, and guide design, testing, and verification activities while advancing national

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline and five years of directly relevant experience.
• Active U.S. DOE L-level security clearance at start, and ability to obtain DOE Q-level clearance.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to work in multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead activities that support the Stockpile Assessment of the system, including flight testing, laboratory testing, and component testing.
• Collaborate with Science & Technology experts to plan, execute, and analyze data from advanced experiments, modeling, and simulation.
• Define requirements and develop, build, and test hardware and software for Sentinel/Mk21 Fuze ground and flight test integration activities.
• Conduct system test planning, execution, and analysis for environmental, functional, and safety evaluations.
• Develop and present materials for design reviews, sponsor, and customer meetings.
• Provide technical consultancy on critical design elements.
• Represent Sandia on internal and external multi‑organizational project teams.
• Employ analytical thinking to navigate ambiguous problems with a multidisciplinary team.
• Conduct trade studies and make key decisions based on performance data, cost, and schedule constraints.

Skills

Strong communication

Leadership

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

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.

What We Offer

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.

Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401(k), learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

*These benefits vary by job classification.

Position Overview

The Mk21 Fuze Mod Systems Engineering team is seeking multiple experienced R&D Systems Engineers with a background in Electrical Engineering to join our multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate will contribute to new projects and ongoing operations across a portfolio of work critical to maintain a safe and reliable deterrent for our nation. The job will require the ability to balance a variety of roles and responsibilities as the program enters a critical period in ramping up to full‑scale production of the Arming and Fuzing Assemblies (AFA), executing sustainment activities and design qualification activities on the Sentinel program. The Mk21 Fuze Mod Systems Engineering team includes frequent collaboration with external partners, including staff and leadership from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the United States Air Force (USAF), and Kansas National Security Campus (KCNSC).

A successful candidate will have experience that enables them to quickly develop a fundamental understanding of an actively fielded system and leverage that expertise to lead multidisciplinary teams to plan and execute qualification, maintenance, assessment, and sustainment projects that provide high value to the mission.

This role offers opportunities to demonstrate leadership that can support ongoing career development and personal advancement at Sandia.

Responsibilities

• Lead activities that support the Stockpile Assessment of the system, including flight testing, laboratory testing, and component testing.
• Collaborate with Science & Technology experts to plan, execute, and analyze data from advanced experiments, modeling, and simulation.
• Define requirements and develop, build, and test hardware and software for Sentinel/Mk21 Fuze ground and flight test integration activities.
• Conduct system test planning, execution, and analysis for environmental, functional, and safety evaluations.
• Develop and present materials for design reviews, sponsor, and customer meetings.
• Provide technical consultancy on critical design elements.
• Represent Sandia on internal and external multi‑organizational project teams.
• Employ analytical thinking to navigate ambiguous problems with a multidisciplinary team.
• Conduct trade studies and make key decisions based on performance data, cost, and schedule constraints.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite 100% of the time.

This position requires occasional travel to support the mission (approximately 3-5 trips per year).

Salary Range

$139,900 - $280,600

*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

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.

This position requires an active U.S. DOE L‑level security clearance, or an equivalent clearance, at the time of application. The selected applicant must also be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q‑level security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

Graduate degree in Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).

Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and Kansas City National Security Campus/New Mexico Operations (KCNSC/NMO).

Experience working on engineering design, qualification, production, or related modeling/simulation projects.

Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

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

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline and 4 years of relevant experience; or a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline plus 8 years of relevant experience.

Proven ability to work well in a team environment and collaborate with internal organizations and external production facilities and suppliers.

Familiarity with development of specifications for components and systems.

Knowledge and/or experience of system engineering concepts and principles.

About the Team

The Mk21 Fuze Systems Engineering department is responsible for providing a replacement fuze for the Mk21 Reentry Vehicle. The Mk21 Fuze Systems provides overall program management authority for the USAF funded Strategic Partnership Program and serves as the primary interface to the USAF customer. The systems team is comprised of a multidisciplinary set of engineers and program managers who work closely with organizations within Sandia, the National Security Enterprise, and the USAF.

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) L security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD).

Sandia is required by DOE 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 L‑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.