R&D Mechanical Engineer - Composite Materials, Onsite

R&D Mechanical Engineer - Composite Materials, 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.

• Work with partners across Sandia and external agencies to plan and execute on projects related to composite manufacturing.
• Use design of experiments (DOE) methodology to evaluate process‑structure‑property relationships in materials.
• Conduct literature surveys to understand the state‑of‑the‑art in unfamiliar fields and learn about new materials or processes.
• Work directly with other staff and technologists making composite structures, including hands‑on work in our lab space.
• Design fixtures or tooling needed as part of the composite manufacturing process using CAD software.
• Develop composite layup schedules for tooling with complex geometries.
• Find and coordinate suppliers and machine shops to procure raw material and to have parts made.
• Use finite element methods (FEA) to analyze composite structures.

Due to the nature of this work the selected candidate will need to work onsite.

• 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.
• Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance.

• Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement.
• Experience with mechanical engineering and product realization in the NNSA complex.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of mechanical and materials' properties of polymers, plastics, foams, adhesives commonly used in composite manufacturing.
• Experience with production methods used in aerospace/composite manufacturing.
• Design and development of fixtures, tooling or structural supports for composites.
• Modeling of composite performance, defect characterization and quantification.
• Proven track‑record publishing in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Efficient and amicable communication and organizational skills.
• Successful experience working on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Instrumentation and data acquisition and processing.
• Proficient with CREO and/or Solidworks.
• Experience with Composite Finite Element software packages like ANSYS or Abaqus.
• Experience with 2D and 3D engineered textile based composite CAD definitions.
• Experience with fiber reinforced composite thermal protection systems.
• Experience with creating engineering drawings and GD&T.

$117,500 - $235,700 (estimated; actual salary determined after consideration of experience and geographic differential).

The Polymers and Composites Department develops processes, builds prototypes, and deploys hardware in support of mission activities at Sandia National Laboratories and partners. We specialize in adhesives, encapsulants, foams, paints and coatings, plus carbon fiber and glass‑reinforced composite materials. Our staff of scientists and engineers work closely with other departments to understand and improve materials found in a myriad of applications and environments.

We routinely employ advanced manufacturing techniques to supplement traditional subtractive or machining practices. Our applications include components and widgets deployed in extreme thermal, mechanical or electrical environments.

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:
Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance, requiring U.S. citizenship.

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.