Early- Mid Career Systems Engineer - Advanced & Exploratory, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 87,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM seeks an Engineering and Operations Systems Engineer to develop and deploy onboarding/offboarding strategies and to work with cross-functional teams across program boundaries.

The successful candidate will support weapon system development, manage test materials, and maintain security posture across classifications, with DOE Q clearance required. On-site work and a multi-disciplinary team environment are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Active DOE Q-level security clearance and ability to obtain Sigma 14/15.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy strategies, tools, and processes for onboarding and offboarding across programs.
• Collaborate with information management and configuration management to create enduring weapon system strategies.
• Articulate risks and interfaces with stakeholders; provide risk mitigation strategies.
• Assist in acquisition, planning, and execution of tests and test materials.
• Help establish an effective security posture across multiple classification boundaries.
• Coordinate negotiations with customers and partners to define deliverables and constraints.
• Prepare and deliver progress reports, requirements documentation, and presentations.

Skills

Security clearance

DOE Q-level

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

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 an early to mid-career, hardworking, and dedicated Engineering and Operations Systems Engineer who is passionate about engineering systems development activities for future Sandia programs and work for our customers.

The successful candidate will join a highly integrated, highly motivated, cross-functional team contributing to the system design of new and conceptual nuclear weapon systems.Programs managed in this department range from technology demonstrators to system prototypes preparing for adoption into the early phases of the realization process.The successful candidate will:

• Develop and deploy strategies, tools, and processes for effective onboarding and offboarding
• Work with Information Management and Configuration Management professionals to develop an enduring and extensible strategy for the weapon system
• Partner with Program Management to articulate risks and interfaces with stakeholders and provide risk mitigation strategies
• Help manage the acquisition, planning, and execution of tests and test materials
• Help the team establish an effective security posture across multiple classification boundaries

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Collaborate with information, configuration management, and high-security professionals to develop effective strategies and processes that operate across multiple classification boundaries and program-appropriate limits.
• Partner with internal teams (Systems, Product Realization, Mission Realization) and external stakeholders to define program goals, acquire and maintain materials, and develop logistics, deployment, and training plans supporting test, qualification, assembly, and system implementation.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate projects for internal and external customers by defining system/subsystem requirements, project scope, schedules, cost estimates, and deliverables; develop comprehensive project plans using advanced management techniques.
• Manage project resources and teams to ensure timely delivery, applying earned value management and other performance metrics to monitor progress, analyze variances, and support decision-making.
• Provide technical leadership and tactical planning throughout project execution, including evaluating system functionality, recommending integrated solutions, overseeing change management, identifying risks, and developing mitigation and contingency plans.
• Coordinate negotiations with customers and partners to establish deliverables, stakeholder requirements, and project constraints.
• Conduct technical and program reviews to communicate status on cost, schedule, and performance to management and customers.
• Analyze data and deliver work products that inform future technology development needs for Sandia.
• Recommend project initiation, expansion, or discontinuation based on performance and strategic alignment.
• Prepare and deliver progress reports, proposals, requirements documentation, and presentations.
• Develop logistics, deployment plans, and training resources to support system implementation.

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

Salary Range

$87,400 - $168,800

*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

• Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. Equivalent experience in lieu of degree must be directly related experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of the job.
• Active DOE Q-level security clearance and ability to obtain and maintain Sigma 14/15

Qualifications We Desire

• Demonstrated experience to partner with customers/stakeholders and direct the efforts of a cross-disciplinary team
• Demonstrated ability to review and understand end-to-end work processes
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with customers and suppliers to define expectations and mutual responsibilities
• Demonstrated experience in developing strong/trusting relationships with internal and external stakeholders, customers, and partners
• Evidence of successfully negotiating requirements
• Evidence of successfully operating in an ambiguous space
• Demonstrated experience with the technology maturation process and maturing technologies
• Demonstrated experience with coordination and reporting through the Program Management Office (PMO)

About Our Team

Our team is developing transformational, threat-informed solutions that enable the Nuclear Security Enterprise to meet emerging national security needs with a responsive nuclear deterrent. We develop safe, secure, trusted, and mission-capable weapon designs and architectures. We partner internally and integrate across the Nuclear Security Enterprise (including LLNL, LANL, KCNSC, PX, and others) to provide thorough, objective information to our Nations decision makers. We do this through preparing for Programs of Record and Urgent Operational Needs, maintaining systems and digital engineering capability, and cultivating national and international relationships.

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) Q security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD). Sandia is required by DOE directive 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 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.

Job ID: 699376

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Full-Time

Regular