R&D Mechanical Engineer - Component Engineer, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories

New Mexico

On-site

USD 102,000 - 200,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a Component Engineer for the Interconnect Technologies Department to design, develop, and qualify cables and interconnect components for high‑consequence applications. You will implement GD&T, collaborate with design, systems, and quality engineers, and develop mechanical solutions for complex cable assemblies.

Onsite work with some travel is required. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, the ability to obtain a DOE Q security

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q level security clearance
Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field preferred
Experience with mechanical engineering and product realization in the NNSA complex
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Experience in component or subsystem design with electrical, electromechanical or mechanical design practices
Experience applying, rationalizing, and negotiating GD&T fundamentals
Mechanical modeling with PTC CREO
Knowledge of the Nuclear Deterrence product realization, design, and qualification processes

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and qualify complex cables and interconnect components for high‑consequence applications
Develop mechanical solutions for cable assemblies and interconnect challenges
Collaborate with design, systems, quality engineers and SMEs
Create adapter cables and fixtures for electrical and environmental tests
Implement GD&T and conventional dimensioning
Establish component‑level requirements with system engineers
Support defect prevention and design for manufacturability
Lead troubleshooting of interconnects and test equipment
Provide data‑driven technical analysis and cost estimates
Produce technical reports and present results
Ensure design meets cost/schedule constraints
Onsite work required with possible travel

Skills

Mechanical design

GD&T fundamentals

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Nuclear security experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related

Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

PTC CREO

ECAD & Product Realization

Nuclear ND processes

Job description

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:

Are you passionate about your work and want to join a dynamic team that solves challenging issues for the nation's security? Do you thrive in a high performing team atmosphere? If so, you could be the highly motivated Engineer we seek. The Interconnects Technologies Department is looking for a Component Engineer to join their diverse and passionate team of high performing individuals striving to achieve success while making a difference for our nation's security. The Engineer's principal responsibility will be the design, development, and qualification of complex cables and related interconnect components for high consequence applications.

Develop and implement mechanical solutions to cable assemblies and interconnect challenges in complex systems

Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of design engineers, systems engineers, quality engineers, and subject matter experts in the successful execution of mission critical designs

Design and develop adapter cables and mechanical fixtures for electrical and environmental test applications

Implement GD&T and conventional dimensioning to cable assemblies and fixture design definitions

Design and develop mechanical components for cable assemblies, interconnects, and electrical components to meet system‑level requirements and function through program life environments

Team with system engineers and system‑level stakeholders to establish component‑level requirements

Collaborate with Production Agencies to incorporate defect prevention and design for manufacturability

Investigate and lead technologists in troubleshooting interconnects and their corresponding test equipment

Provide evaluation and technical analysis on large amounts of test data

Write technical reports, perform cost estimates, work technical issues, and present results/findings

Provide quality products with supporting qualification evidence that satisfy customer requirements within cost/schedule constraints

Implement sound mechanical engineering principles on high‑reliability and high‑consequence cable assemblies and interconnects

Due to the nature of the work, this candidate must be able to work onsite. Some travel required.

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 obtain and maintain a DOE Q level security clearance.

Qualifications We Desire:

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

Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).

Experience with mechanical engineering and product realization in the NNSA complex.

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:

Component or subsystem design experience that includes electrical, electromechanical or mechanical design practices

Experience in applying, rationalizing, and negotiating GD&T fundamentals

Mechanical modeling expertise with proficiency in PTC CREO

Experience in the application of engineering principles and the scientific method

Experience collaborating with ECAD and Product Realization

Knowledge of the Nuclear Deterrence (ND) product realization, design, production, and qualification processes

Knowledge of the ND drawing and Engineering Authorization system

Knowledge of ND drawing requirements (CDs, MEs, PSs, SSs, etc.)

Demonstrated application of design guides/specifications (e.g., design for manufacturability, design for environmental specifications)

Experience teaming, collaborating, and negotiating with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) stakeholders

Demonstrated ability to identify design/requirement shortcomings, articulate impacts, and drive resolution with customers

Active DOE Q level security clearance

About Our Team:

The Interconnect Technologies Department designs, develops, tests, and qualifies cable assemblies (high voltage, RF, flat‑flex, multi‑wire, and fiber optic), junction boxes, and adapter assemblies. The department further designs, fabricates, and deploys equipment and testers for our products where such systems are not available through private industry. Our in‑house designed equipment is in use at Sandia, the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), as well as selected vendor sites for the development and qualification of War Reserve and other high‑reliability components. We use the Realize Product Subsystem (RPSS) to realize Mark Quality product that covers the complete product realization cycle of requirements, design, development, specification, qualification, procurement, delivery, and stockpile support with our partners throughout the NSE. We employ defect prevention strategies to gain an understanding of design margin during the development cycle and to mitigate risk during production. The department's capabilities include the ability to address multiple challenging requirements related to meeting high‑reliability numbers over long life, radiation tolerance, nuclear safety requirements, and size & weight restrictions.

Adherence to safety, process controls, and quality principles is essential to the success of our department.

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.