Senior/Principal R&D Mechanical Engineer - Process Owner

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

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories seeks a cleared Senior/Principal R&D Mechanical Engineer to own and lead manufacturing processes for energetic components at onsite facilities. You will develop, improve, and monitor processes including cleaning, welding, sealing, powder pressing, and metrology, while ensuring design requirements, schedule, and budget alignment.

The role requires a DOE Q clearance to start and offers ownership of process development, equipment qualification, and continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with five years of directly relevant experience.
• Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent to start.
• Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (Desire).
• Experience with mechanical engineering and product realization in the NNSA complex.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in high‑quality manufacturing environments applying rigorous processes.
• Familiarity with manufacturing methods such as resistance welding, laser welding, leak checking, soldering, visual inspection, powder pressing, vacuum systems, and metrology.
• Background in explosive technologies and engineering applications.

Responsibilities

• Plan, conceive, conduct, and manage process development for energetic components in a manufacturing environment.
• Direct systematic studies to characterize processes and determine ideal equipment, tools, and parameters.
• Manage and maintain manufacturing equipment ensuring continuous, predictable operation.
• Analyze manufacturing performance using yield, variance, and takt time KPIs.
• Provide Design for Manufacturability input to engineers from Design and Production Agencies.
• Lead or participate in problem‑solving to address manufacturing anomalies and improve processes.
• Develop and maintain work instructions and operating procedures.
• Lead or participate in new process and equipment development and qualification.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

GD&T

Job description

Sandia National Laboratories seeks a cleared Senior/Principal R&D Mechanical Engineer to own and lead manufacturing processes for energetic components at onsite facilities. You will develop, improve, and monitor processes including cleaning, welding, sealing, powder pressing, and metrology, while ensuring design requirements, schedule, and budget alignment.

The role requires a DOE Q clearance to start and offers ownership of process development, equipment qualification, and continuous