Senior/Principal Electromechanical Technologist - Optical Systems, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 71,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories seeks a field‑proven technologist to join the Tonopah Test Range team. You will design, maintain, and upgrade advanced systems supporting national defense and non‑defense applications, applying precision optical tracking, servo/gimbaled systems, and data/controls expertise.

You will live on site in Tonopah, work under the Range Manager, and ensure test‑ready instrumentation while developing procedures and documentation.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Minimum of five (5) years of verifiable and directly applicable experience in Electronics, Optical Tracking Systems (Tracking/Acquisition) operations and maintenance, Electro‑Mechanical systems, Engineering discipline, or other technical discipline.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, upgrade, and troubleshoot precision optical tracking systems, including manned and remotely operated systems.
• Operate technical equipment used to analyze and diagnose issues with associated systems and networks.
• Troubleshoot system components and support the integration of modern technologies into legacy systems.
• Develop procedures, documentation, and calibration methods to support range operations.
• Help ensure instrumentation systems remain in a test‑ready status to support the Laboratories flight test mission.
• Assist in developing future range processes and procedures while following established range guidance.
• Follow structured Work Planning & Controls processes and incorporate corporate safety requirements into daily activities.
• Help ensure operational, facility, and infrastructure requirements are met safely, compliantly, and with quality.
• Communicate clearly and professionally through presentations, proposals, and written reports.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic, high‑stress environment under tight deadlines.
• Perform other duties as required by Range operations.

Skills

Electronics

Optical tracking systems

Electro‑mechanical systems

Engineering discipline

DOE clearance

Education

High School Diploma or GED

DOE clearance to start

Job description

• Job ID 699485
• Location Las Vegas, NV
• Full/Part Time Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary Regular

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 field‑proven technologist to join Sandia National Laboratories Tonopah Test Range (TTR) team. This multidisciplinary group designs, develops, maintains, and upgrades advanced systems supporting national defense programs, homeland security, and non‑defense applications. Tonopah Test Range engineering teams employ state‑of‑the‑art technologies, including sophisticated software tools for design, analysis, modeling, and simulation.

In this role, you will support the Laboratories flight test mission by helping maintain the Ranges instrumentation in a test‑ready status under the direction of the Range Manager and designated delegates. You will apply your knowledge of precision optical tracking systems, servo and gimbaled systems, instrumentation architectures, data capture and transmission, and electrical control systems. Your work will include troubleshooting discrete component technology, integrating current technology into legacy systems, developing procedures and documentation, and setting up and calibrating equipment. You will regularly work with PC‑based control systems, electric drive systems, synchro/servo systems, and data/video encoder systems.

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

• Operate, maintain, upgrade, and troubleshoot precision optical tracking systems, including manned and remotely operated systems.
• Operate technical equipment used to analyze and diagnose issues with associated systems and networks.
• Troubleshoot system components and support the integration of modern technologies into legacy systems.
• Develop procedures, documentation, and calibration methods to support range operations.
• Help ensure instrumentation systems remain in a test‑ready status to support the Laboratories flight test mission.
• Assist in developing future range processes and procedures while following established range guidance.
• Follow structured Work Planning & Controls processes and incorporate corporate safety requirements into daily activities.
• Help ensure operational, facility, and infrastructure requirements are met safely, compliantly, and with quality.
• Communicate clearly and professionally through presentations, proposals, and written reports.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic, high‑stress environment under tight deadlines.
• Perform other duties as required by Range operations.

Location and Work Environment: This position is based at the Tonopah Test Range (TTR), near Tonopah, NV. Applicants must be willing and able to live and work at this remote site for 34 days per week. The role requires the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team. The successful candidate will demonstrate behaviors consistent with Sandias core values.

Salary Range

$71,100 - $137,500

*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

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Minimum of five (5) years of verifiable and directly applicable experience in Electronics, Optical Tracking Systems (Tracking/Acquisition) operations and maintenance, Electro‑Mechanical systems, Engineering discipline, or other technical discipline.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.

Qualifications We Desire

• Active DOE L or Q clearance to start.
• Vocational‑technical certificate in a relevant mechanical or electrical discipline, and/or an Associates degree or higher in a relevant technical field.
• Experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting precision optical tracking systems, servo/gimbaled systems, or related instrumentation.
• Experience with modern remotely operated systems as well as legacy systems, including pre‑2000‑era equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and repair mechanical and electrical systems to the component level.
• Experience with analog and/or fiber optic cable design, fabrication, and installation.
• Proven ability to analyze system or equipment issues and recommend effective corrective actions.
• Remote field test experience; familiarity with Tonopah Test Range is a plus.

About Our Team

We are charged with the operation of the Tonopah Test Range. The TTR team is responsible for planning and executing the Flight Test portion of the Stockpile Surveillance program. Additionally, a requirement exists to plan and execute tests in support of other Federal Agencies.

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.

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.