R&D Mechanical Engineer - Explosive Component Design Engineer, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 102,400 - 199,700; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories seeks an R&D S&E, Mechanical Engineering staff member to contribute to Design Agency activities related to the design, development, qualification, production and surveillance of explosive components for ND and SPP projects.

The role involves developing test plans, building components, and collaborating with PA teams to ensure design intent and safety, with a strong emphasis on problem solving and cross-disciplinary teamwork.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with ability to perform independent R&D.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop test plans, execute tests, and analyze test results to inform design decisions, evaluate trade spaces, and/or obtain design qualification evidence
• Build prototype and development explosive components using internal and external manufacturing capabilities
• Provide input on product interface and requirements negotiations related to performance, safety, and shelf-life considerations
• Partner with Production Agency (PA) team members to develop processes for manufacturing product that meets design intent
• Support problem solving activities, including failure investigations and production challenges
• Team with experimentalists and modelers to characterize performance, safety, and/or shelf-life of explosive components
• Support the development and evaluation of new design concepts for emerging explosive component applications, including technology maturation activities
• Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Test planning

Prototype development

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Creo

SolidWorks

GD&T

Machining processes knowledge

Job description

Sandia National Laboratories is a science and engineering laboratory focused on national security.

What Your Job Will Be Like

We are seeking an R&D S&E, Mechanical Engineering staff member to contribute to Design Agency (DA) activities related to the design, development, qualification, production and surveillance of explosive components needed for Nuclear Deterrent (ND) and Strategic Partnership Program (SPP) projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop test plans, execute tests, and analyze test results to inform design decisions, evaluate trade spaces, and/or obtain design qualification evidence
• Build prototype and development explosive components using internal and external manufacturing capabilities
• Provide input on product interface and requirements negotiations related to performance, safety, and shelf-life considerations
• Partner with Production Agency (PA) team members to develop processes for manufacturing product that meets design intent
• Support problem solving activities, including failure investigations and production challenges
• Team with experimentalists and modelers to characterize performance, safety, and/or shelf-life of explosive components
• Support the development and evaluation of new design concepts for emerging explosive component applications, including technology maturation activities
• Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite

Required Qualifications

• 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 clearance

Desired Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement
• Experience with mechanical engineering and product realization in the NNSA complex
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams
• Proven problem‑solving and critical thinking skills
• Experience with developing test plans, executing tests, and evaluating results
• Experience with 3D solid modeling software (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks)
• Experience with developing and interpreting engineering drawings, including familiarity with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
• Familiarity with relevant manufacturing processes, including glass-to-metal sealing, machining, additive manufacturing, resistance welding, laser welding, thin film deposition, plastic molding, and encapsulation/potting
• Familiarity with explosive component technologies, materials, evaluation methods, and hazards
• Active DOE Q clearance, or equivalent

Salary Range

$102,400 - $199,700

Security Clearance

Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.