Senior/Principal System Engineer - LAZAP Project Lead, Onsite

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

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Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories seeks a dedicated R&D Systems/Electrical/Optical/Mechanical Engineer to lead LAZAP testing for USNDS payloads. You will direct cross‑disciplinary teams, implement a roadmap for capability upgrades, and ensure safe operations while coordinating with multiple agencies.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years’ experience, DOE Q clearance, and strong communication. Onsite work in Albuquerque with cutting-edge facilities and strong benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five years of directly relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance.
• Graduate degree and NSE lab experience preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication in multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineers to test laser/optical/electromechanical/software systems and coordinate testing with other agencies.
• Lead data analysis and report generation after each mission.
• Develop an R&D and M&O roadmap for capability improvements and obsolescence avoidance.
• Maintain safety culture and manage monthly milestones and budgets.
• Possess technical leadership and manage projects with cross‑functional teams.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project management

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Security clearance

Laser/optics experience

Software development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Graduate degree

Tools

C#

SQL

QNX

STK

PLC

Job description

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:

We are seeking a dedicated R&D Systems/Electrical/Optical/Mechanical Engineer to be the technical LAZAP lead. LAZAP is a facility that supports the calibration and functional testing of optical satellite payloads for the U.S. Nuclear Detonation (NUDET) Detection System (USNDS). The testing is accomplished by directing a high‑powered laser(s) thru a beam director to a target in space.

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

Work with a team of engineers and technologists to collaborate on challenging laser / optical / electromechanical / software systems / safety systems, as well as being the point of contact to coordinate the testing with other agencies.

Be certified to operate all mission positions. At the completion of each mission, you will lead the data analysis and report generation.

A critical aspect of the project leading role is understanding the entire facility hardware and software architecture, creating and implementing an R&D and M&O (maintenance and operations) roadmap for capability improvements and the avoidance of equipment/software obsolescence while maintaining a safe work practice.

Report the monthly milestone and budget status to USNDS Sandia National Labs program and line management as well as the customer when required.

Maintain a strong safety theme, assuring a working environment within the defined safety envelope

LAZAP is located east of Sandia Tech Area 1 in Albuquerque, and a virtual tour of the facility may be viewed at the following link: https://tours.sandia.gov/lazap_info.php

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:

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 Systems Engineering candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

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

Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC),

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Kansas City National Security Campus/New Mexico Operations (KCNSC/NMO). Experience working on engineering design, qualification, production, or related modeling/simulation projects.

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:

Proven experience with technical leadership (i.e. defining and overseeing technical projects, budgets, and up‑reporting on progress)

Demonstrated self‑motivation, positive attitude and willingness to work in an environment sometimes requiring rapid and accurate decision making with potentially high consequences.

Experience with formal project management (planning, scheduling, cost management) and corporate Work Planning & Controls process.

Experience with high consequence safety themes and associated safety controls

Experience with testing, data collection and interpretation, and troubleshooting

Experience designing and troubleshooting complex electromechanical systems

Experience with lasers, optics, video systems, and/or telescopes

Software development / programming with one or more of the following: Microsoft C# and Visual Basic; SQL database; embedded microcontroller programming; Programable Logic Control (PLC) Ladder Logic; Satellite Toolkit (STK); C; QNX Realtime OS

Electronic and/or electromechanical experience, including work with electronic circuits, and the maintenance and troubleshooting of instrumentation, electronics, and complex cables/harnesses

Basic qualifications with laboratory-level machine shop tools

Experience with material sourcing, selection, and procurement

Dedication to a positive teaming dynamic while attaining shared objectives, strong written and verbal skills, and detail oriented with a keen focus on customer service

Strong problem‑solving skills, and a willingness to submit work for extensive review

History of being proactive and following through on assignments while producing consistent, high‑quality work

Ability to prioritize and balance competing activities and manage ambiguity

Ability to support night / off hour testing

About Our Team:

The optics and sensors engineering department conceives, designs, and builds new integrated sensor systems to solve national problems with remotely sensed data. To execute the sensor development lifecycle, the department utilizes core competencies in optics and sensor sciences, sensor system engineering, advanced modeling and simulation, and data exploitation. Typical activities completed by the department include: -The optics and sensors engineering department conceives, designs, and builds new integrated sensor systems to solve national problems with remotely sensed data. To execute the sensor development lifecycle, the department utilizes core competencies in optics and sensor sciences, sensor system engineering, advanced modeling and simulation, and data exploitation. Typical activities completed by the department include:- Mission‑to‑system trade‑space evaluation and conceptual design- Optical design development- End‑to‑end sensor performance prediction- Development of sensor requirements- Optical alignment and test- Sensor development and characterization- Sensor system qualification

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.

Essential Functions:

If offered the position, you may be required to demonstrate your fitness to perform certain physical aspects of the position, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.

• 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