Early Career R&D Mechanical Engineer - Weapon Response & Analysis, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 102,400 - 199,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements including 9

Flexible work arrangements including 4

Relocation assistance

Generous vacation

Competitive 401k

Learning opportunities

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM seeks an R&D Mechanical Engineer to contribute to Nuclear Deterrence efforts. You will model, simulate, test, and analyze component responses to mechanical insults, supervise activities, and ensure safe production facility operations onsite.

A DOE Q-level clearance is required or obtainable. The role emphasizes independent yet collaborative work within a multidisciplinary team, with opportunities to lead projects and advance technical expertise on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering or related science with demonstrated R&D capability.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance (Sigma 14/15).

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Systems Engineering and design teams to ensure safe operations of components and systems in production facilities.
• Utilize modeling, simulation, analysis, and testing to identify and mitigate electrical and mechanical energy hazards.
• Engage with Subject Matter Experts at Sandia and NSE sites to assess hazards and evaluate control effectiveness.
• Develop and document technical justifications for component and system responses to insults.
• Initiate and implement continuous improvement activities.
• Summarize and present findings to management, customers, and stakeholders.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

DOE security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field

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.

Benefits

• 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 eager to join a dynamic, interdisciplinary team dedicated to engineering excellence? Sandia's Weapon Response and Analysis organization is looking for a motivated R&D Mechanical Engineer to contribute to our critical mission in Nuclear Deterrence.

You will play a critical role in ensuring the safety and reliability of components and systems within production facilities. Your technical focus will involve conducting modeling, simulation, testing, and analysis to evaluate how components and systems respond to mechanical insults. This responsibility may also include supervising modeling, simulation, analysis, and testing activities performed by others.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite.

This position is available in Albuquerque, NM.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Systems Engineering and design teams to ensure safe operations of components and systems in production facilities.
• Utilize modeling, simulation, analysis, and testing to identify and mitigate unintended electrical and mechanical energy hazards during production.
• Engage with Subject Matter Experts at Sandia and other Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) sites to assess potential hazards and evaluate control effectiveness in production areas.
• Develop and document technical justifications for component/system responses to electrical and mechanical insults.
• Initiate and implement continuous improvement activities.
• Summarize and present findings to management, customers, and stakeholders.

Salary Range

$102,400 - $199,700

*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, 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance and Sigma 14/15.

Qualifications We Desire

• Graduate degree in Mechanical engineering or Advanced Technical degree (Master's or PhD) in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, a related field or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Active DOE Q or DOD TS security clearance and the ability to obtain and maintain higher level clearances.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively well in a diverse team of designers and test engineers.
• Outstanding verbal and written skills, including the ability to develop and present briefings that are clear and compelling.
• Proven leadership and project management skills, with a resourceful approach to ambiguity.
• Strong communication skills, with a track record of effective interaction across various levels of personnel in the Nuclear Security Enterprise.
• Self‑motivated with keen attention to detail.

About Our Team

The Weapon Response and Analysis team is dedicated to ensuring safe production operations by analyzing components and systems against credible hazards. We pride ourselves on being a self‑directed, agile, and motivated group that values mutual support, customer success, and continuous improvement.

Our Vision

• Invest in the development of our staff to provide exceptional technical service and solutions.
• Expand our technical expertise to meet emerging Nuclear Deterrence mission demands.
• Demonstrate our commitment to quality, agility, and efficiency in supporting new technologies.
• Contribute significantly to Sandia's and the Nuclear Security Enterprise's Nuclear Safety culture.

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

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 obtain and 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.

• Affordable housing, reasonable cost of living
• Minimal traffic congestion compared to larger cities
• At Sandia, recruiters manually review resumes on each job posting instead of using a resume screening software program
• By following the best practices outlined, this ensures that recruiters can accurately determine your qualifications for the position