Senior/Principal R&D Computer Science - Advanced RF Applications, Onsite

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Generous vacation

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico is seeking a Senior/Principal R&D Computer Scientist for Advanced RF Applications. You will develop software for RF/microwave systems, transition MATLAB algorithms to efficient C/C++, and support signal processing tools.

Travel up to a few times per year is possible, with on-site work required in a multidisciplinary team. The role emphasizes architecture, design documentation, testing, and deployment across research and production environments while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and five years of directly relevant experience.
• Ability to obtain DOE Q and SCI clearance.
• Graduate degree is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop software systems independently or as part of a team.
• Prototype, architect, design, and implement software solutions balancing needs and constraints.
• Improve reliability, performance, and usability of existing software systems.
• Troubleshoot, enhance, and maintain deployed software solutions.
• Collaborate with engineers, researchers, designers, product managers and stakeholders.
• Develop test plans and analyze field-test data.
• Support the implementation and optimization of signal processing algorithms.
• Travel occasionally (3–4 trips per year).

Skills

C++ programming

Python programming

Software architecture

Signal processing

Mentoring engineers

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related

Graduate degree in CS

Tools

Git

CMake

MATLAB

C

Docker

Job description

Senior/Principal R&D Computer Science - Advanced RF Applications, Onsite

The Advanced RF Applications department (5376) is seeking a highly motivated experienced career Software Engineer to join the Advanced RF Applications department and contribute to research, development, troubleshooting, field testing, production, and delivery of advanced RF/microwave systems.

You will be joining a multi-discipline, high performing team. Our sponsors consist of intelligence community (IC), special operations forces (SOF), and Department of War (DOW) organizations, who count on us to deliver high-impact solutions to their evolving and most pressing national security challenges. Projects range from quick‑reaction efforts in response to time‑sensitive, real‑world driven needs to longer‑term (1‑3 year) projects. Occasional travel is required.

Primary Focus and Responsibilities

The primary focus of this position is the development of software for specialized RF communications systems. Responsibilities include software architecture and development, requirements definition, design documentation, qualification and acceptance testing, deployment support, and long‑term system sustainment.

This role also supports signal processing engineers by developing visualization and data‑processing tools and transitioning MATLAB‑based algorithms to efficient C++ (or equivalent) implementations optimized for runtime performance.

Typical Day Activities

• Develop software systems independently or as part of a collaborative engineering team.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and prototype, architect, design, and implement software solutions that balance mission needs, technical constraints, and program objectives.
• Improve the reliability, performance, maintainability, and usability of existing software systems.
• Troubleshoot, enhance, and maintain deployed software solutions.
• Collaborate with engineers, researchers, designers, product managers, and stakeholders to communicate progress, share technical results, and support project execution.
• Develop test plans, execute test activities, and analyze field‑test data.
• Support the implementation and optimization of signal processing algorithms and related software tools.
• Contribute to impactful national security missions while working across a diverse set of computer science, software engineering, and RF communications disciplines.

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 clearance and SCI clearance, which may require completion of a polygraph examination.

Qualifications We Desire

• Graduate degree in Computer Science or a highly related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing, developing, and delivering complex software systems using modern software engineering practices and tools, with the ability to make sound architectural and technical decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to multidisciplinary teams and diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, including mentoring engineers, providing technical direction, and leading small multidisciplinary teams to successfully achieve shared objectives.
• A commitment to continuous learning, technical excellence, and advancing the capabilities of both the team and the organization.
• Experience with software engineering and development, including modern programming languages and tools (C, C++, Python, Git, CMake).
• Experience across the full software development lifecycle: requirements definition, design, implementation, verification, validation, integration, deployment, and sustainment.
• Experience translating MATLAB (or equivalent) algorithms into efficient C or C++ implementations.
• Familiarity with containerization technologies and modern software deployment practices.
• Experience with software verification, testing, debugging, troubleshooting, and performance analysis.
• Technical domain experience in computer networking, RF and wireless systems, and digital signal processing (DSP) or ability to learn DSP concepts.
• Strong critical thinking, problem‑solving, and analytical skills; ability to work effectively in ambiguous, fast‑paced, customer‑focused environments.
• Proven ability to collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, build partnerships, and work across diverse technologies and disciplines.
• Experience working with internal and external customers, stakeholders, and technical partners.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage, and execute multiple projects while meeting scope, budget, and schedule objectives.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership for projects and mentoring engineers or leading small technical teams.
• Commitment to continuous professional growth and development.
• Willingness to travel occasionally (approximately 3‑4 trips per year).
• Experience supporting Intelligence Community (IC) or Department of Defense (DoD) organizations, missions, or customers is desirable.
• Active DOE Q security clearance or equivalent and the ability to acquire and maintain an SCI clearance and additional accesses.

Benefits

Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401(k), learning opportunities, relocation assistance, and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance. Benefits vary by job classification.

Onsite Requirement

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite.

Salary Range

$117,500 – $235,700

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.

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.