Experienced, R&D Systems Engineer - Onsite

What Your Job Will Be Like:

Microsystems Engineering, Science and Applications (MESA) is seeking an experienced R&D Systems Engineer to serve on the MESA Extended Life Program (MELP) team to support the maturation of the $50M/year portfolio. Successful execution of the program depends on effective project execution for tools and equipment (T&E) and facilities and infrastructure (F&I) projects, led by principal investigators (PI) and design/install subject matter experts.

The selected candidate will serve as a PI, requiring close partnership with cross-functional areas both internal and external to Sandia.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership qualities including integrity, accountability, adaptability, and collaboration. They will possess a solid engineering background combined with proven project management and systems engineering skills, with the ability to balance tactical execution and strategic planning. Exceptional communication skills are essential to effectively engage and build trust with diverse technical disciplines and stakeholders across the organization.

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

• Use engineering principles to understand complex systems, gather data, implement processes, and solve problems
• Support the layout, design, construction, and installation of tools and equipment for current and future operations through project management
• Partner with various technical disciplines and stakeholders to accurately understand, develop, and execute installation and utility requirements
• Communicate transparently and effectively with the MELP team, facilities partners, and MESA operations throughout project life cycles
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, safety, and extreme ownership
• Communicate (written and/or verbal) with various Program Management offices and NNSA

$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.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE Q clearance

• 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.

• Experience in microsystems and/or production equipment, facilities, infrastructure, and processes
• Experience in manufacturing environments, including semiconductor, microsystems, or other high-volume production settings; with familiarity in cleanroom requirements, protocols, or applied systems engineering principles
• Proven experience with design, installation, and utility requirements for tools and equipment in semiconductor, microsystems, manufacturing, or other production environments
• Strong critical thinking skills with demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, evaluate risks, and develop effective solutions
• Demonstrated expertise in project management, including estimation, scoping, scheduling, risk-based prioritization, and stakeholder engagement
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely with a wide range of technical disciplines and stakeholders, adapting communication style as needed
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams, employing situational leadership and fostering empowerment
• Proficiency or demonstrated ability to quickly become proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Teams, Visio, PowerPoint) and collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Confluence
• Commitment to safety, ethical decision-making, transparency, and customer-focused mission delivery

Department 5291, MESA Extended Life Program, is responsible for the successful execution of the MESA Extended Life Program (MELPP). This is contingent upon securing resources and implementing procedures to establish rigor, ensure funding, appropriately plan investments, and carefully execute projects. The $50M/year project requires a team of key talent to coordinate investments based on aging tool and infrastructure…