R&D Manager - Data Science and Analytics, Hybrid

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; Hybrid; USD 163,700 - 278,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable housing

Minimal traffic congestion

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a Level 1 Manager to lead a diverse R&D department focused on AI/ML, data science, large-scale analytics, and visualization, delivering impactful solutions for national security missions.

You will mentor researchers, shape strategic directions, and collaborate with government, industry, and academia, building an inclusive, high-performing team while advancing mission-driven applications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with eight years of directly relevant experience or equivalent
• SCI clearance eligibility to start; ability to obtain SCI clearance

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a diverse team of researchers, data scientists, software developers, and staff in AI/ML, data science, analytics, and visualization
• Partner with sponsors, university collaborators, industry partners, and government to deliver on commitments and identify future opportunities
• Shape technical vision and strategic direction for innovative capabilities advancing research and mission applications
• Oversee day-to-day department management, hiring, staff development, and resource allocation
• Build relationships with sponsors and stakeholders to align capabilities with mission priorities
• Promote responsible AI practices and mission impact across the department’s portfolio

Skills

Leadership

Data science

AI/ML

Communication

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

MS or PhD in science or engineering

Job description

R&D Manager - Data Science and Analytics, Hybrid

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 Level 1 Manager to lead a diverse R&D department developing state-of-the-art capabilities in AI and machine learning, data science, large-scale data analytics, and visualization. This department advances foundational and applied research while delivering impactful solutions for Sandia's national security missions.

Are you passionate about leading high-performing technical teams, shaping strategic research directions, collaborating with authorities across government, industry, and academia, and developing the next generation of experts in AI-enabled data science and analytics? If so, this role offers an opportunity to guide a dynamic team at the intersection of emerging technology, mission impact, and scientific discovery.

On any given day you may be called on to:

Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of researchers, data scientists, software developers, and technical staff working in AI/ML, data science, large-scale analytics, and visualization.

Partner with staff, peer managers, senior leaders, university collaborators, industry partners, and government sponsors to deliver on current commitments and identify future opportunities.

Shape the department's technical vision and strategic direction, guiding the development of innovative capabilities that advance both open research and mission-driven applications.

Collaborate as an integral member of the Center 1400 management team to develop, communicate, and execute organizational strategy.

Maintain and grow a strong open research foundation while connecting research outcomes to Sandia's mission needs.

Oversee day-to-day department management activities, including work planning, performance management, resource allocation, hiring, staff development, and operational execution.

Recruit, hire, mentor, and retain exceptional staff while fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing team environment.

Build and maintain relationships with sponsors and stakeholders to align department capabilities with current and emerging mission priorities.

Promote technical excellence, responsible AI practices, innovation, and mission impact across the department's research portfolio.

Salary Range:

$163,700 - $278,000

*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 and eight (8) years of directly relevant experience, 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

Q security clearance to start and ability to obtain a SCI clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

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

Two or more years of demonstrated leadership experience.

A graduate degree in science or engineering (MS or Ph.D.).

Outstanding interpersonal skills in developing trusting relationships with peers, staff, management, customers, and stakeholders.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in the development and delivery of presentations, proposals, reports and documentation

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

A strong commitment to staff development, mentoring, inclusion, and team health.

Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams or complex cross-organizational projects.

Ability to develop and communicate technical strategy.

Knowledge of machine learning, artificial intelligence, graph and data analytics, statistics, as well as complimentary areas (e.g., high performance computing architectures, neuromorphic computing).

Ability to build trusted relationships with sponsors, collaborators, and stakeholders.

Good communication skills as evidenced by a record of publication of results in peer-reviewed journals and external presentations at scientific conferences.

Expertise, experience and relationships in one or more of the relevant mission domains or customer/stakeholder communities (Nuclear Deterrence, National Security Programs and Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation).

Experience with recruiting, hiring, and mentoring staff members.

Experience leading or contributing to complex software projects with dual mission/open use

About Our Team:

The Machine Intelligence Department (1462) conducts fundamental and applied research and development in the areas of machine learning, artificial intelligence, large-scale data analytics and visualization. The department is part of the Enhanced Decision Making group, which seeks to bring together multiple disciplines including AI credibility, scalable AI models and infrastructure, scientific visualization, discrete mathematics, optimization, scalable high performance computing algorithms, and computer science to inform high consequence decision-making.

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 and SCI access, both of which require US citizenship. SCI access may also require a polygraph examination. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain these levels of access 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.

• 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