Early Career Systems Engineer - W76-1/-2 Weapon Systems Engineer, Onsite

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

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM, seeks a Systems Engineer to join the W76-1/-2 weapon system team. You will lead test planning, integration, and production support across programs, coordinating with surveillance, design, and production teams to ensure successful tests and data-driven decisions.

The role emphasizes collaboration across multidisciplinary engineers, test reporting, and engagement with SMEs. Travel up to 25% may be required; onsite work is required at Sandia.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating ability to perform independent R&D

Responsibilities

• Lead test planning activities, coordinate with test facilities, and execute large-scale system-level tests.
• Prioritize testing to meet System Surveillance needs and close knowledge gaps.
• Partner with Surveillance, component teams, and other design/production groups to establish interfaces and test plans.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineers to address anomalies and resolve system-related issues.
• Author test reports and brief management and customers on weapon program status as part of Annual Assessment.
• Use engineering principles to perform trade studies for system solutions.
• Coordinate with modeling and simulation teams and SMEs to direct work.
• Peer review design efforts across the Labs.
• Occasional travel up to 25% may be required.

Skills

DOE Q-level clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

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

We are seeking a highly motivated Systems Engineer to join the W76-1/-2 Weapon System Team. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead and manage a range of engineering projects including designing test configurations, test planning and coordination, system integration, production planning and support, modeling and simulation, large-scale system tests, and annual assessment activities. This position requires close coordination with the teams across the W76-1/-2 family of systems including stockpile sustainment and fast-paced development programs (JTA3, Mk4B, ALT 939, and D5LE2).

On any given day, a W76-1/-2 Systems Engineer may be called on to:

• Lead test planning activities, coordinate with test facilities, and execute large scale system-level qualification and surveillance tests.
• Prioritize testing efforts appropriately to meet System Surveillance needs and assess knowledge gaps.
• Partner with SNL Surveillance, component teams, and work with other design and production agencies to establish interfaces, integration plans, and to ensure smooth test execution.
• Be capable of working with a range of personalities and work styles.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and domain specialists to successfully address anomalies and resolve system related issues.
• Author test reports and brief SNL management and customers on the status of the weapon program and as part of the Annual Assessment process.
• Use engineering principles to conduct trade studies to identify system solutions.
• Partner with modeling and simulation teams to engage SMEs and direct work appropriately.
• Be called upon to peer review design efforts and concepts across the Labs.
• This position may require occasional travel (up to 25%).

The successful candidate will become intimately familiar with the detailed function of W76-1/-2 nuclear weapon components, subsystems, and systems, and gain a breadth of knowledge across all phases of the product realization lifecycle. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to exercise investigative freedom in engaging the broad Nuclear Weapons community.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM. Some travel to locations including, but not limited to Livermore, CA; Los Alamos, NM; Amarillo, TX; Washington, DC; and Kansas City, MO may be required for this position.

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.
• The ability to acquire and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance with ability to obtain Sigma 15 which may require random polygraph tests.

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal R&D Systems Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• 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 Laboratory (LLNL) 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:

• A commitment to fostering a culturally and technically diverse atmosphere.
• Knowledge and understanding of nuclear weapon systems including a fundamental understanding of nuclear surety principles.
• Self-motivated, positive individual comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience using engineering principles to conduct trade studies to identify system solutions.
• Experience with test instrumentation, test planning, as well as defining test objectives and methods.
• Familiarity with SNL test facilities (i.e. Lightning facility, ACRR, Hermes, Saturn, Shock/Vibe Lab, etc.) and experience coordinating with them.

Experience building test bodies and/or familiarity with creating procedures for building test artifacts.

Active DOE Q/L or DOD TS/S clearance.

Familiarity with SNL drawing and authorization system, product development and qualification, testing and evaluation, modeling, and simulation.

About Our Team

Department 2222 has responsibility for the W76-0/-1/-2 nuclear weapon stockpile and the suite of activities that support annual assessment, surveillance, lifetime planning and associated development of the weapon systems. In addition to established stockpile work there are a multitude of development and qualification projects on which we partner closely, including the JTA3, Mk4B, ALT939 Integrated Surety Architecture, and D5LE2 programs. Production activities in several areas continue at KCNSC and require frequent communication. Additionally, 2222 leads the development of testers and operational activities for hardware and provides engineering leadership for all W76-0/-1/-2 test body assembly and disassembly activities. Our department is also the interface with test and computational simulation organizations across the Labs and provides management of schedule and budget associated with executing the annual assessment process, on behalf of NNSA and our Navy customers. Systems support for the UK Trident versions of the Mk4/Mk4A is also a Department 2222 responsibility. UK Trident support is directed by the U.S. Navy and NNSA and includes assembly, disassembly, surveillance, deployment, and retirement activities.

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.