Cleared Senior​/Principal R&D Mechanical Engineer - Advanced & Exploratory Systems, Onsite

What Your Job Will Be Like

The Future Nuclear Deterrent Systems Engineering department, Org 0231, is seeking a motivated Mechanical Engineer to execute Rapid System Integration projects under the 00200‑led initiative utilizing Sandia designed and developed advanced reentry vehicles. This role offers an opportunity to work in a high‑energy environment. You will be at the forefront of a mission to seamlessly incorporate a cutting‑edge system prototype within incredibly tight deadlines.

On any given day you may be called on to:

• Demonstrate new ways of design, build, and test to increase Sandia’s and the Weapons Complex’s readiness to meet urgent system needs.
• CAD modeling, GD&T, and/or design for manufacturing basics.
• Test planning, documentation, execution, data collection, and reporting.
• Aero and structural analysis, loads, bolted interfaces, thermal (radiation), and/or fluids.
• Environmental testing including flight body qualification, shock and vibration, and combined environments.
• Modular systems and frameworks.
• Additive Manufacturing, qualification, and testing.
• JTA experience.
• System level understanding of RV/RB and air delivered nuclear deterrent systems.

Due to the nature of work, successful candidate must be able to work onsite.

$117,500 – $235,700

• 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.
• Active DOE Q level security clearance or equivalent.

• 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.

• Direct experience designing nuclear weapon electronics.
• Component and/or System‑level design trades experience.
• CAD modeling, GD&T, and/or design for manufacturing basics.
• ANSYS or Solidworks modeling tools (particularly FEA analysis).
• MATLAB or similar engineering‑based simulation or programming tools.
• Experience with nuclear weapon qualification.
• Knowledge of the Nuclear Weapons qualification process.

Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD). Sandia is required by DOE directive 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 maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

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.