Senior/Principal R&D Computer Engineer - Embedded Systems, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 118,000 - 236,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM seeks an R&D Engineer specializing in embedded systems to join the Systems Research Department. You will work across hardware and software to design, test, and deploy secure, mission-critical solutions.

The role emphasizes end-to-end embedded system development, reverse engineering, vulnerability assessments, and collaboration with electrical, computer, and software engineers to advance national security objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline and five (5) 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q and SCI clearance which may require a polygraph test.

Responsibilities

• Perform reverse engineering and vulnerability assessments on embedded systems to identify and mitigate potential risks.
• Design, develop, and integrate hardware and software solutions that meet mission‑critical requirements.
• Create comprehensive test plans and execute rigorous testing protocols to validate novel system capabilities.
• Communicate technical progress and findings effectively to mission partners and interdisciplinary colleagues.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, computer, and software engineers to innovate and refine approaches that advance key mission objectives.
• Take initiative to lead technical thrusts in specific areas of embedded systems development, driving strategy, execution, and team coordination to deliver impactful results.

Skills

Embedded systems

C/C++ programming

Hardware design

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Graduate degree in Computer Engineering

Tools

Real-time OS

C/C++

Job description

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*

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 an Electrical or Computer Engineer driven to apply cutting‑edge technologies toward impactful national security challenges? Join the Systems Research Department at Sandia’s Integrated Threat Intelligence Center, where we specialize in vulnerability assessments, forward and reverse engineering of embedded systems, and the development of innovative tools supporting unique national security missions.

As a motivated R&D Engineer with expertise in embedded systems, you will collaborate within a multidisciplinary environment and partner across Sandia. Our work spans the complete embedded systems lifecycle – from initial concept and design through fabrication, firmware and software development, to rigorous testing and deployment – focusing on innovative, low‑power solutions. Our expertise covers a diverse range of technologies, including embedded systems, mobile devices, IoT, Wi‑Fi systems, and networked devices.

If you are passionate about end‑to‑end embedded system engineering and eager to make a difference through technology innovation, we invite you to apply.

On Any Given Day, You May Be Expected To

• Perform reverse engineering and vulnerability assessments on embedded systems to identify and mitigate potential risks.
• Design, develop, and integrate hardware and software solutions that meet mission‑critical requirements.
• Create comprehensive test plans and execute rigorous testing protocols to validate novel system capabilities.
• Communicate technical progress and findings effectively to mission partners and interdisciplinary colleagues.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, computer, and software engineers to innovate and refine approaches that advance key mission objectives.
• Take initiative to lead technical thrusts in specific areas of embedded systems development, driving strategy, execution, and team coordination to deliver impactful results.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Salary Range

$117,500 - $235,700

• 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 and five (5) 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q and SCI clearance which may require a polygraph test.

Qualifications We Desire

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

• Graduate degree in Computer Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Demonstrated ability to execute and deliver technical work products with application of appropriate rigor and pedigree documentation (design/code reviews, technical oversight/approvals, project team concurrence, artifact generation, etc.).
• Experience in computer systems design and software development for real‑time and embedded processing systems, distributed processing systems, or real‑time client server implementations.
• Familiarity with hardware/software requirements generation for verification, validation and qualification.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary, multi-disciplinary team setting for a common purpose.

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

• Experience in embedded system design, hardware design, testing, and evaluation and/or programming.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: reverse engineering, software vulnerability assessment, computer networking, computer architecture, compilers, or related computer security disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience in a subset of the following:
  • Circuit design fundamentals and interpretation of hardware schematics
  • Embedded systems development using microcontrollers or digital signal processors (embedded C/C++ and real‑time operating systems)
  • Proficiency in C or other programming languages
  • Networking architectures and protocols, including serial communication interfaces
  • Design, development, and testing of electrical or electronic systems
  • Use of laboratory diagnostics and testing equipment for hardware validation
  • Software development methodologies and best practices
  • Strong communication skills with a proven ability to clearly articulate technical concepts and results in both written and oral formats, tailored to diverse audiences.

About Our Team

The Systems Research Department specializes in vulnerability assessments and research, as well as forward/reverse engineering embedded systems. We develop tools to support a variety of unique national security missions. Our expertise encompasses a diverse range of technologies, including embedded systems, mobile devices, IoT, Wi‑Fi systems, and networked devices.

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.

Job ID: 698636

Job Family: RD

Regular/Temporary Position: R

Full/Part-Time Status: F