Senior/Principal Nuclear Safety Systems Engineer, Nuclear Safety Technologies, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 117,500 - 235,700; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a Senior/Principal Nuclear Safety Systems Engineer to lead safety basis analyses and manage requirements for nuclear facilities within TA-V. The role emphasizes independent work, cross‑functional collaboration, and regulatory interaction.

The position requires a DOE Q clearance, and a graduate degree plus Lean Six Sigma certification are desirable. Onsite work and strong communication skills are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance.
• Graduate degree in nuclear engineering, systems engineering, or a related field is desirable.
• Lean Six Sigma green or black belt certification is desirable.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Active DOE Q clearance is beneficial.
• Experience preparing DSAs and TSRs for DOE facilities.
• Proficiency with the USQ process.
• Experience with nuclear safety modeling codes.
• Operational experience with nuclear facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams to manage safety basis requirements throughout the annual update lifecycle.
• Innovate on processes used for nuclear safety management.
• Use codes to model burnup, heat transfer, radiation transport, dose, and atmospheric dispersion.
• Conduct research, analyze, and document technical bases for the safety basis envelope.
• Prepare documented safety analyses (DSAs), technical safety requirements (TSRs), and unreviewed safety questions (USQs).
• Provide expert technical advice and assistance to line organizations and federal regulators on complex safety basis issues.
• Interface with operations, engineering, assurance, corporate safety basis, and the Sandia Field Office.
• Work onsite as required.

Skills

Nuclear safety

DOE Q clearance

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

Senior/Principal Nuclear Safety Systems Engineer

Location: Onsite, Technical Area V (TA‑V), Sandia National Laboratories.

Job Overview

The Nuclear Safety Technologies Department seeks a dedicated systems engineer to conduct research, develop safety basis analyses, and manage safety basis requirements for nuclear facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams to manage safety basis requirements throughout the annual update lifecycle.
• Innovate on processes used for nuclear safety management.
• Use codes to model burnup, heat transfer, radiation transport, dose, and atmospheric dispersion.
• Conduct research, analyze, and document technical bases for the safety basis envelope.
• Prepare documented safety analyses (DSAs), technical safety requirements (TSRs), and unreviewed safety questions (USQs).
• Provide expert technical advice and assistance to line organizations and federal regulators on complex safety basis issues.
• Interface with operations, engineering, assurance, corporate safety basis, and the Sandia Field Office.
• Work onsite as required.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance.

Desired:

• Graduate degree in nuclear engineering, systems engineering, or a related field.
• Lean Six Sigma green or black belt certification.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Active DOE Q clearance.
• Experience preparing DSAs and TSRs for DOE facilities.
• Proficiency with the USQ process.
• Experience with nuclear safety modeling codes.
• Operational experience with nuclear facilities.

Salary

$117,500 - $235,700 (estimated; final determined by experience and qualifications).

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance. The position requires a U.S. citizenship and a pre‑employment drug test and background review.

EEO Statement

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, or any other protected class under state or federal law.

Benefits

Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401(k), learning opportunities, relocation assistance, and amenities that support work/life balance.