Deputy Chief Engineer - Flight Systems & Avionics

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 118,000 - 236,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable housing

Minimal traffic congestion

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico seeks a Cleared Senior/Principal Deputy Chief Engineer to join a core team designing and flight testing a new re-entry vehicle. Onsite work, with DoD sponsorship, and a DOE security clearance are required for this senior role.

You will lead across system requirements, software/algorithms, and electrical/avionics areas, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external partners in a high‑stakes environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five years of directly relevant experience.
• DOE Q-level security clearance or equivalent to start and maintain.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of your time.
• Graduate degree in Engineering or related field preferred.
• Experience with nuclear security enterprise facilities and projects.
• Experience across engineering design, qualification, production or modelling/simulation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team in system and component requirements, software and algorithms.
• Develop electrical ground support equipment, avionics, and controls.
• Contribute to multi‑disciplinary design reviews and schedules.
• Respond to quick-turn sponsor requests and manage funding gaps.
• Communicate updates and risks to DoD sponsor and stakeholders.
• Define and execute project development from concept to launch.

Skills

Security clearance

Flight vehicles

Electrical testing

Systems engineering

Leadership

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

MS in Aeronautical/Electrical Eng

Tools

Microsoft Project

P6 scheduling

Job description

Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico seeks a Cleared Senior/Principal Deputy Chief Engineer to join a core team designing and flight testing a new re-entry vehicle. Onsite work, with DoD sponsorship, and a DOE security clearance are required for this senior role.

You will lead across system requirements, software/algorithms, and electrical/avionics areas, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external partners in a high‑stakes environment.