Senior/Principal R&D Physics - Quantum/AMO Sensors, Onsite

Sandia Corporation; Albuquerque (NM); Sur place; USD 118 000 - 236 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM, seeks a research physicist/engineer to advance quantum sensing using AMO platforms and SI/AI tools. Onsite work required, with collaboration across teams to deliver magnetometer prototypes and field-tested devices.

The role emphasizes leadership in projects, strong communication, and the ability to secure funding and partnerships for national security initiatives. PhD preferred for advanced responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five years of directly relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and engineering or scientific experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance.

Responsabilités

• Plan, conceive, and conduct research for Sandia customers and sponsors using AMO platforms for quantum sensor development.
• Use SI/AI tools to accelerate scientific and engineering progress.
• Design, engineer, and demonstrate sensors that utilize AMO phenomena with manufacturability focus.
• Develop theoretical modeling and simulation capability to understand sensor performance.
• Test atomic magnetometers in field or relevant environments to advance TRL for national security applications.
• Seek to transition technology to industry partners through CRADAs.
• Collaborate with Sandia experts to enable discovery science and sensor prototype demonstrations.

Connaissances

Leadership abilities

Multidisciplinary teamwork

SI/AI methods experience

Scientific research capability

Formation

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

PhD in Physics or related field

Outils

CRADAs experience

Description du poste

Location

Albuquerque, NM

Contract Type

Full-Time

Employment Status

Regular

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

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Plan, conceive, and conduct research and development for Sandia customers and sponsors using AMO (Atomic, Molecular, and/or Optical) platforms for quantum sensor development (with a focus on atomic magnetometers) and/or micro- and nano-fabricated devices.
• Use superintelligence/artificial intelligence (SI/AI) tools to accelerate scientific and engineering progress; continuously embrace the opportunity to approach tasks in new ways to enable novel solutions.
• Design, engineer, and demonstrate sensors that utilize the quantum physics of atomic, molecular, and/or optical (AMO) phenomena, with a focus on manufacturability to allow lower cost, high volume production as an end goal.
• Develop theoretical modeling and simulation capability to understand the performance of these sensors.
• Test atomic magnetometers, either Sandia prototypes or commercial (COTS) devices in the field or in relevant environments to advance their technological readiness levels (TRL) for national security applications.
• Seek to transition technology to industry partners through Cooperative Research And Development Agreements (CRADAs).
• Team with other subject matter experts across Sandia to enable discovery science as well as demonstrations of sensor prototypes in magnetometry.
• Develop good relationships with customers, sponsors, and US government stakeholders to inform roadmaps and strategies
• Develop new programs and secure funding for quantum sensing and quantum computing by engaging with sponsors, collaborating with other mission-oriented Sandians, and teaming with industry partners to write proposals that are responsive to national security needs.

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

• 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-level security clearance.

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal R&D S&E Physics candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Physics or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience preparing research for dissemination through presentations at national conferences and peer-reviewed publications in top journals.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities of both projects and teams and the ability to work in loosely defined areas with minimal direction while maintaining vision for the overall mission.
• 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 Physics, Engineering, or a relevant STEM field.
• Experimental experience with at minimum three of the following topics, ideally coupled with a track record of innovation.
• Three or more years of experience leading a research project or thrust within a project.
• Experience with successful field testing of quantum sensors such as magnetometers to advance their technology readiness level (TRL).
• A track record of successful execution of challenging, original research-and-development projects, including project planning, updates to the sponsor, and delivering results on time.
• Demonstrated ability to write winning research proposals as principal investigator or as a team member.
• Current practice in your own research using SI/AI methods applied to experimental design, instrumentation development, experimental control, autonomous execution, and data analysis.

About Our Team

The Quantum/AMO Sensors & Tech Dev Department leverages a diverse capability set to provide science and technology products to enhance Sandia's national security missions. The department includes a broad range of expertise including quantum sensors based on atomic/molecular/optical (AMO) physics, micro-optics, x-ray imaging, and laser spectroscopy. As part of the Microsystems Engineering Sciences and Applications (MESA) facility, we provide solutions including atomic physics-based sensing; optically pumped magnetometry, electrometry, neutron imaging for E-fields, atom and ion trapping devices and systems; and x-ray phase contrast imaging. In addition to work for internal Sandia organizations, we have an established record of successful engagement with external customers and technology transfer to industry.

Posting Duration

This posting will 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.