Senior/Principal R&D Electrical Engineer - Test Systems Design, Onsite

NCSL International; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 118,000 - 236,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM seeks an innovative electrical engineer to join a mission-driven team designing, fabricating, qualifying, and deploying advanced system‑level testers for the U.S. nuclear stockpile.

You will collaborate with engineers, technologists, and experts to design cables, boards, and racks, collect critical data, troubleshoot tester systems, and ensure safety, reliability, and performance in demanding environments.

Qualifications

• 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 Sigma 15 access, which may require a polygraph

Responsibilities

• Innovate and design analog circuits within complex test systems, with working knowledge of digital design concepts.
• Lead or collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technologists, and subject matter experts to achieve project goals.
• Develop advanced data-collection systems to capture a wide range of signals generated by testers or units under test.
• Define and design custom cables, boards, chassis, or racks tailored to project requirements.
• Integrate and troubleshoot tester systems ensuring health of the U.S. Stockpile and optimal performance.
• Validate tester designs against customer requirements and ensure functionality.

Skills

Analog circuit design

Digital circuit design

DOE Q clearance

Mentor Graphics Xpedition

Design for test

Data acquisition

System integration

Electrical prototyping

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering (desirable)

Tools

Xpedition PCB design software

Oscilloscopes

Multimeters

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*

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 innovative electrical engineer ready to make a critical impact on national security? The Air Delivered Weapons Systems Tester Development Department (2256) and the Ballistic Missile Tester Development Department (2255) are looking for a passionate and highly skilled R&D Electrical Engineer to join a cutting-edge, mission-driven team.

Here, you will design, fabricate, qualify, and deploy some of the most sophisticated system-level nuclear weapon testers in the world tools essential to ensuring the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear stockpile. If you thrive in a dynamic, technically challenging environment and want to contribute directly to the nation's defense, this is the opportunity for you.

On any given day, you will have the opportunity to:

• Innovate and Design: focus primarily on analog circuit design within complex test systems, with working knowledge of digital design concepts. You will design and integrate cutting-edge equipment that emulates the delivery sequences of nuclear weapons in a controlled laboratory environment.
• Collaborate with Experts: Lead or work alongside a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technologists, and subject matter experts to achieve project goals.
• Capture Critical Data: Develop advanced data-collection systems to capture a wide range of normal and exotic signals generated by the tester or a unit under test.
• Customize Solutions: Define and design custom cables, boards, chassis, or racks tailored to specific project requirements.
• Integrate and Troubleshoot: Work on integrating and troubleshooting tester systems that monitor the health of the U.S. Stockpile, ensuring optimal performance.
• Validate Designs: Assess and validate tester designs against customer requirements, ensuring compliance and functionality.
• Engage in Product Realization: Participate in product realization activities, from concept through fabrication and deployment, ensuring successful delivery of test systems.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM, and some travel will be necessary for this position.

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 clearance and Sigma 15 access, which may require a polygraph

Qualifications We Desire

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Ability to work independently and collaborate well in a multidisciplinary team of designers and test engineers.
• Outstanding verbal and written skills, including the ability to develop and present briefings that are clear and compelling.

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

• Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent
• Strong expertise in analog circuit design, with proficiency in digital circuit design and analysis, demonstrating a solid foundation in electrical engineering principles.
• Hands-on experience designing and fabricating custom electrical assemblies, demonstrating creativity and technical aptitude.
• Experience creating and interpreting design definition drawings, including wiring diagrams and power distribution diagrams, ensuring clarity and precision in documentation.
• Experience using common electrical laboratory equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, arbitrary waveform generators, etc.).
• Demonstrated commitment to working safely in a laboratory environment, prioritizing safety protocols and best practices.
• Applying system-level thinking to ensure designs integrate effectively within broader system architectures and meet overall system objectives.
• Leveraging modeling and simulation tools to guide design decisions, ensure effective solutions, and reduce development iterations and cycle-times.
• Providing technical direction to electromechanical technologists for installation, calibration, troubleshooting, and operation of electrical, controls, data, and instrumentation hardware and systems.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to comprehend and synthesize large amounts of information, ensuring accuracy and thoroughness in all tasks.
• Experience in product realization, including taking designs from concept through fabrication and deployment.
• Leadership and/or mentoring experience (e.g. guiding small engineering teams or projects.)
• Experience with or willingness to learn Mentor Graphics Xpedition PCB design software is a plus.
• Demonstrated self-motivation and effectiveness in dynamic environments with competing priorities and firm deadlines.
• Analyzing test data and system performance against requirements, collaborating with system engineers to verify performance, analyze issues, and drive effective resolution.

About Our Team

We are the premier test equipment engineering capability for the Stockpile Surveillance Program. We design, develop, and sustain qualified test systems used to evaluate the safety, security, and effectiveness of the nuclear weapon stockpile. These departments provide an opportunity to learn about the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, nuclear weapon design and function, and the role of Sandia National Laboratories in the nation's nuclear deterrence mission.

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.