Early Career R&D RF Subsystem Engineer- Radar Fuzing, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 102,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Flexible work arrangements

Competitive benefits and retirement

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM, seeks an experienced Microwave & Sensor Engineer to design microwave PWBs and PWAs for RF transmitters and receivers, collaborating with radar teams and production. The role includes lab RF testing, design reviews, and cross-disciplinary tech maturation in a mission-driven environment.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor's in a related field and can obtain a DOE Q security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Ability to attain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design microwave PWBs and PWAs for transmitters and receivers.
• Collaborate with radar engineering teams and production agencies.
• Conduct laboratory RF testing and support test requirements.
• Provide technical consultation and develop design documentation.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to mature technology.
• Onsite Albuquerque work with occasional travel up to 25%.

Skills

Microwave design

RF engineering

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Technical leadership

Test & validation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

HFSS

ADS

CST

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

LabVIEW

TestStand

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. 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

Why Join Us At Sandia National Laboratories, you will be part of a world-class team dedicated to solving some of the nation's most critical challenges in national security, energy, and advanced science. We foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where innovation thrives and your contributions have a direct impact on cutting‑edge technologies.

What We Offer:

• Meaningful Impact: Work on high-consequence projects that advance national security and scientific discovery, making a real difference in the world.
• Innovative Environment: Access to state-of-the-art facilities and tools, with opportunities to explore new ideas and technologies in microwave and sensor systems.
• Professional Growth: Support for continuous learning, including training, conferences, and advanced education to help you grow your skills and career.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a diverse, multidisciplinary team that values creativity, open communication, and teamwork.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible work schedules, generous paid time off, and comprehensive benefits to support your well-being.
• Competitive Compensation: Attractive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and relocation assistance for qualified candidates.
• Security Clearance: Work on sensitive, impactful projects that require and maintain a DOE Q clearance, providing unique career opportunities in national security.

Join us to push the boundaries of microwave and sensor technology in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

What Your Job Will Be Like

• Design & Development:
  • Design microwave Printed Wiring Boards (PWBs) and Assemblies (PWAs) for transmitters and receivers, incorporating custom integrated circuits. Provide feedback on lower-level assembly designs such as integrated circuits.
• Collaboration & Coordination:
  • Work closely with radar engineering teams and production agencies to ensure designs meet requirements and resolve issues throughout development and production.
• Testing & Validation:
  • Conduct laboratory testing of RF transmitters and receivers. Support development of test requirements and acceptance testing protocols.
• Technical Leadership:
  • Provide technical consultation, present at design reviews, and develop design documentation.
• Cross-Disciplinary Work:
  • Collaborate with multi-disciplinary engineering teams to make technical decisions and guide technology maturation.

This position requires onsite work in Albuquerque, NM, with relocation assistance available for qualified candidates. Occasional travel (up to 25%) supports collaboration with production and partner teams.

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 attain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance.

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal R&D S&E Microwave & Sensor Engineer candidate 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).
• Laboratory skills and knowledge of RF and digital test equipment.
• Knowledge of RF, Digital Communications, Electronic Warfare, and Cyber Security systems and principles.
• Ability to work successfully in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, teaming environment. Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:
• Experience with radiation-hardened electronics and high-consequence applications (space, weapons, medical).
• Proficiency with RF/microwave design and simulation tools (HFSS, ADS, CST, etc)
• Familiarity with test development and data processing software such as Python, MATLAB/Simulink, NI LabView, NI TestStand, etc.
• Familiarity with general test and measurement equipment and RF test equipment (network analyzer, spectrum analyzer, etc.)
• Design for manufacturing and production experience
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners.
• Active Q clearance.

About Our Team

The Radar Fuzing Department is responsible for design, development, qualification and production support of Radar Fuzes and RF technologies for both gravity and reentry-based NW systems. This includes overseeing RFIC design, development, qualification, and production support for Radar Fuzes. A current example of a Radar Fuze is the Joint Radar Module supporting the B61-12 LEP, W88 Alt 370, and Mk21 AFA and soon to be modified to support the W93 program. Essential capabilities include: advanced RF and radar architectures, RFIC design and test, RF and radar testing, product qualification, production realization, and radar stockpile stewardship.

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.