Cleared Senior​/Principal Mechanical Engineer - Enabling Aerospace Systems, Onsite

Cleared Senior/Principal Mechanical Engineer - Enabling Aerospace Systems, 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.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

As an R&D S&E Mechanical Engineer, you will apply integrated technical judgment grounded in the scientific method to identify and solve complex problems. You will collect and analyze data through observation and experimentation, formulate and test hypotheses, and innovate solutions that support Sandia National Laboratories’ critical missions. Your work will be rooted in fundamental science and engineering principles, applying scientific theories and engineering methods to develop and demonstrate new designs, materials, products, and systems.

You will engage in both physical and computational simulation, analysis, and evaluation as core parts of your development process. Your responsibilities will span fundamental research, development, and demonstration activities within Sandia’s science and engineering programs.

• Developing high‑performance computational models to analyze mechanical and physical systems.
• Designing and implementing experimental diagnostic methods to measure mechanical and physical processes.
• Conducting research in areas such as engineering mechanics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, vibration, physical metallurgy, tribology, power engineering, kinematics, and heat transfer.
• Applying research findings to the design, development, analysis, and testing of mechanical, electromechanical, and piezoelectric systems, instruments, controls, engines, and machines.
• Analyzing system performance under stress conditions such as temperature, load, motion, shock, and vibration to ensure design requirements are met.
• Leading hands‑on assembly, testing, and fielding of the products you design, working closely with skilled technicians in laboratory and environmental testing environments.
• Collaborating within integrated teams, fostering cross‑capability mentoring, and supporting an experimentalist mindset.
• Participating in field missions to deploy and qualify technologies for their intended use.

This role offers a unique blend of cutting‑edge R&D engineering and practical, hands‑on involvement, providing exposure to both laboratory and field environments. You will have the opportunity to see your designs through from concept to real‑world application, making a tangible impact on national security and scientific advancement.

* Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

$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.

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.

DOE Q Security Clearance or equivalent required to start.

• 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.
• In-depth understanding and practical experience with scientific and engineering methods, along with a commitment to the highest ethical standards in research.
• Proven ability to design, plan, and execute research, design, and development projects effectively.
• Proficiency with CAD and CAE software tools, such as Creo and Solid Works.
• Experience applying Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) to accurately convey design intent for parts and assemblies.
• Willingness and…