Senior/Principal R&D Mechanical Engineer- Component Science & Mechanics, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 118,000 - 236,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico is seeking a Senior/Principal R&D Mechanical Engineer in Component Science & Mechanics to advance nonlinear structural mechanics and materials research using state‑of‑the‑art HPC resources. You will build a robust research portfolio, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and contribute to cutting‑edge simulations and modeling.

The role emphasizes independent research, strong programming skills, and the ability to work on-site with relocation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and five years of directly relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance.
• Graduate degree with independent research project as graduation requirement.
• Experience in nonlinear structural mechanics, dynamics, and numerical methods.
• Excellent programming and code development skills.

Responsibilities

• Use HPC platforms and finite‑element software to simulate nonlinear structural responses.
• Research advanced topics in nonlinear mechanics.
• Develop numerical algorithms and integrate into finite element software.
• Investigate reduced‑order modeling for large‑scale simulations.
• Collaborate with experimental engineers to validate theories and models.
• Publish research in peer‑reviewed journals and present at conferences.

Skills

Strong communication

Independent research

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Finite element software

Job description

Senior/Principal R&D Mechanical Engineer- Component Science & Mechanics, Onsite

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:

The Component Science and Mechanics Department is seeking a highly motivated mechanical engineer to join our diverse and inclusive team of structural dynamics and solid mechanics computational analysts. In our mission, we support the development of complex mechanical and electrical components through research, development and application of state‑of-the‑art computational capabilities leveraging some of the world's most advanced high‑performance computing (HPC) facilities and codes.

In addition to contributing on our analysis teams, this staff member will develop a robust research portfolio in support of our mission. Research topics of interest include materials mechanics spanning multiple length scales, nonlinear dynamics, fracture, failure, surrogate models, digital twin development, multi‑physics simulation, and engineering uses of AI/ML tools and algorithms. At Sandia there is the unique opportunity to collaborate with a broad and diverse range of world experts including mechanical engineers, material scientists, analysts, experimentalists, mathematicians, and computer scientists to develop new methodologies and algorithms to analyze and understand the nonlinear response of engineering structures under complex loading conditions.

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

Use HPC platforms and massively‑parallel finite‑element software to simulate the nonlinear structural response of systems subjected to complex, multi‑physics environments.

Research advanced topics in nonlinear mechanics.

Develop new numerical algorithms to solve nonlinear boundary value problems and explore strategies to integrate into finite element software by partnering with code development teams.

Investigate reduced‑order modeling strategies to enable efficient simulations of large‑scale engineering models.

Work closely with the experimental engineers to develop test plans to validate new theories and/or predictions from numerical models.

Develop a robust research portfolio through peer‑reviewed journal publications, conference presentations, and participation in professional societies

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. Relocation will be provided for those that qualify.

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 security clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

The ideal R&D S&E Mechanical Engineer will in addition possess the following:

Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).

Experience with mechanical engineering and product realization in the NNSA complex.

Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

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

PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.

Experience in nonlinear structural mechanics, dynamics and vibrations, including numerical methods, finite element analysis, and modal analysis.

Experience with development and implementation of numerical methods, uncertainty quantification, and/or model order reduction methods.

Excellent computer programming and code development skills.

Knowledge of modern uncertainty quantification methods and approaches.

Experience with advanced methods to characterize, analyze and understand behavior of nonlinear systems.

Knowledge of experimental techniques for vibration testing and modal analysis.

Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.

Ability to work independently and to integrate effectively into a dynamic and diverse multidisciplinary team.

About Our Team:

The Component Science and Mechanics Department conducts state‑of‑the‑art engineering‑mechanics research and develops science‑based solutions for component design and assessment. We employ computational and physical simulations‑solid‑mechanics and structural‑dynamics analyses of both linear and nonlinear systems in an agile, multidisciplinary teaming environment. Research and application focus areas include solid mechanics; structural dynamics; materials, interface, contact, and fracture mechanics; bolted‑joint analysis; electronic packaging; impact response of mechanisms; advanced stress analysis for predicting fracture and fatigue; joining techniques such as welding and brazing; uncertainty quantification; and model‑order reduction. We support customers and team for solutions across Sandia's mission space, delivering expert analysis and knowledge to inform decision makers.

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.

• Affordable housing, reasonable cost of living
• Minimal traffic congestion compared to larger cities
• At Sandia, recruiters manually review resumes on each job posting instead of using a resume screening software program
• By following the best practices outlined, this ensures that recruiters can accurately determine your qualifications for the position