Senior/Principal Systems Engineer - Space-based Remote Sensing, Onsite

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

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a Senior/Principal Systems Engineer for space-based remote sensing, onsite in New Mexico. The role focuses on antenna systems, satellite interfaces, and complex architectures for national security satellite missions.

DOE Q clearance is a consideration, with travel requirements and on-site work necessitated by program needs. The candidate will engage in troubleshooting hardware, defining requirements, and coordinating test activities, while interfacing with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five (5) years of directly relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance.
• Master's degree in engineering or a closely related field is preferred.
• Experience with RF and digital baseband theory applied to antenna and digital receiver systems.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, analyze, maintain, and repair custom‑designed hardware.
• Collaborate with technical leads to track progress and support system reviews.
• Define and clarify project requirements and acceptance criteria for subsystems.
• Perform requirements definition, verification and validation, and interface document reviews.
• Coordinate integration and test activities and provide technical information to internal teams.
• Interface with SSC sponsor and external stakeholders on programmatic activities.

Skills

RF theory

Digital baseband

System engineering

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Master's in Engineering

Tools

Spectrum Analyzer

Oscilloscope

Frequency Counter

Job description

Senior/Principal Systems Engineer - Space-based Remote Sensing, 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:

*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

Do you have experience in nuclear detonation detection systems and a passion for supporting operational satellite missions as part of a collaborative, dynamic team? We are seeking a motivated Systems Engineer to join our dynamic team for the United States Nuclear Detonation Detection System (USNDS), a Space Force funded program. You will work on antenna systems, satellite communication interfaces, and complex system architectures. Join us to develop creative solutions to unique national security challenges!

The selected candidate may interface externally with the Space Systems Command (SSC) sponsor and collaborate with other government partner organizations on programmatic activities.

On any given day you may be called on to:

• Troubleshoot, analyze, maintain, and repair custom‑designed hardware.
• Work with technical leads to track progress, resolve technical issues and support system/subsystem technical reviews.
• Collaborate with the Lead Systems Engineer to define and clarify project requirements, develop project support plan, and acceptance criteria for system and subsystems.
• Perform requirements definition, verification and validation, map and allocate, downlink, definition, Interface Control Document review and management.
• Define acceptance criteria for subsystems and perform technical reviews on project documents.
• Coordinate integration and test activities and provide technical information to internal organizations and the project office.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. This position will require some travel.

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 a DOE Q 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:

Knowledge of RF and digital baseband theory as applied to antenna and digital receiver systems.

Master's degree in engineering or a closely related field.

Experience troubleshooting circuit boards to the component level.

Experience using test and measurement equipment (e.g., spectrum analyzer, oscilloscope, frequency counter).

Familiarity with the USNDS Program.

Experience in engineering design, qualification, and production.

Proven ability to build effective partnerships across customer and organizational boundaries.

Experience developing and executing formal test processes.

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

Proven leadership and a strong commitment to a positive teaming dynamic.

Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent.

About Our Team:

The Space Ground Systems Programs leads the design, development, delivery, and sustainment of the operational ground segment of the United States Nuclear Detonation Detection System (USNDS). USNDS is a space‑based remote sensing system designed to meet national security needs for both the war fighter and the treaty monitoring community. The team provides leadership and advanced technical solutions throughout the life cycle of these systems, from inception of new systems to enhancing capability in the operational systems.

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.