Postdoctoral Appointee - Experimental Solid Mechanics, Onsite

Women In Science; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Flexible work arrangements (9/80, 4/10

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM, seeks a Postdoctoral Appointee for the Experimental Impact Mechanics Laboratory (EIML). The role focuses on high-rate/impact testing of materials and structures using split Hopkinson bar techniques and advanced diagnostics.

You will collaborate with research engineers across groups, design and execute experiments, analyze results, and contribute to technical reports and publications. On-site work is required due to the laboratory environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace Engineering or a related field with emphasis in solid mechanics.
• Solid background and experience in experimental mechanics.
• Experience working independently and in teams; multi-tasking skills.
• Strong publication record and conference presentations.

Responsibilities

• Perform experimental mechanics research focused on high-rate/impact testing.
• Collaborate with EIML and other Sandia groups to advance projects.
• Support research areas: material characterization, rate-dependent models, dynamic failure.
• Design, execute, and analyze experiments; produce reports and publications.

Skills

Experimental mechanics

High-rate testing

Team collaboration

Publication history

Education

PhD in Mechanical, Civil, or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Split Hopkinson bar (Kolsky bar)

MTS / mechanical testing systems

Digital image correlation (DIC)

High-speed imaging

Job description

Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque, USA
Job posting number: #7367432 (Ref:Sa698476)
Posted: July 17, 2026

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 Postdoctoral Appointee for the Experimental Impact Mechanics Laboratory (EIML).

In This Role, You Will

• Perform experimental mechanics research with an emphasis on high-rate/impact testing of materials and structures, with, but not limited to, split Hopkinson bar (or Kolsky bar) techniques implemented with advanced diagnostic techniques
• Work with research engineers in EIML and collaborate with research engineers in other groups including Structural Mechanics Lab, Mechanical Shock Lab, and computational solid mechanics group
• Support research activities in the following areas: mechanical characterization of materials in normal and abnormal environments, rate-dependent material model development, dynamic failure and fracture, shock mitigation, and advanced experimental methods/diagnostic technique development
• Perform experimental design, execution, and analysis
• Produce technical reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, and conference presentations

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

Qualifications We Require

• PhD in Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace Engineering or a related field with an emphasis in solid mechanics
• Solid background and experience in experimental mechanics
• Experience working both independently and as part of a team and multi-task skills
• Good communication skills as evidenced by a history of publication of results in peer-reviewed journals and external presentations at appropriate scientific conferences
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE L clearance

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience on mechanical testing, including MTS, Drop table, split Hopkinson bar, etc.
• Experience with advanced optical methods including digital image correlation (DIC), high-speed imaging, or other optical metrology
• Knowledge and experience with impact mechanics, engineering mechanics, or material sciences
• Commitment to operational safety, security and quality

About Our Team

The Experimental Solid Mechanics Department 1528 is part of the Engineering Sciences Center at Sandia National Laboratories. Our center is the steward of engineering mechanics for Sandia and we are dedicated to solving our customer’s most pressing and important national security problems. Our department specializes in experimental technologies related to structural mechanics and mechanics of materials. With our state of the art experimental technologies, technical expertise, and analytical capabilities in sister departments, we provide integrated customer solutions in the following areas: mechanical characterization of materials, components, and structures in normal or abnormal environments, development and application of state‑of‑the‑art experimental and diagnostic techniques for scientific and mission impacts, and integration of analytical, computational, and experimental efforts for engineering solutions to national security problems. Our mission is to use research-development-application (R-D-A) spectrum for physical discovery, model development and validation, and qualification and acceptance for nuclear weapons, defense, energy, and other applications.

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 L‑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 the 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.

Position Information

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.

Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.

Essential Functions

If offered the position, you may be required to demonstrate your fitness to perform certain physical aspects of the position, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.

Job ID: 698476

Job Family: 92

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: F

Contact Information

More Info

Job posting number: #7367432 (Ref:Sa698476) Application Deadline: Open Until Filled Employer Location: Sandia National Laboratories

Albuquerque, New Mexico

United States