Postdoctoral Appointee - Hydrodynamic Energy Systems Laboratory Experiments, Onsite

Postdoctoral Appointee - Hydrodynamic Energy Systems Laboratory Experiments, 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, 4/10 compressed workweeks, part‑time work, and telecommuting
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401(k), learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*
• World‑changing technologies. Life‑changing careers.

* These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a hardworking and dedicated Postdoctoral Appointee in the Hydrodynamic Energy Systems department. You will work both independently and with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists working on projects that focus on wave energy converter (WEC) control and WEC co‑design, current energy converter (CEC) technologies, and other projects related to hydrodynamic energy systems.

• Collaborate with other departments regarding energy conversion technologies.
• Conduct experiments to evaluate new technologies.
• Perform simulations, optimizations, and/or hardware tests and document results.
• Contribute to manuscripts for publication.

This position is located in Albuquerque, NM, and the annual salary for this position is $98,500. Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Civil Engineering, or other relevant STEM field.
• Experience with MATLAB and/or Simulink.
• Demonstrated troubleshooting ability in debugging real hardware (sensors, power electronics, data‑acquisition issues, etc.) or related experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance.

• Demonstrated experience in hands‑on design, building, ownership, or commissioning of a real‑time hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), digital‑twin style experiments or related experience.
• Strong MATLAB/Simulink skills for real‑time code generation, data analysis, and model validation or related skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as evidenced by publication(s) in peer‑reviewed journals and/or presentation(s) at scientific conferences.
• Background that aligns with our multidisciplinary needs in electromechanical Power Takeoff (PTO) units and structural component testing (electrical, mechanical, civil/structural engineering, physics, applied math, or similar).
• Experience running high‑force test rigs (hydraulic actuation, servo drives, high‑frequency data logging). Example experience can also include proficiency with at least one of the common HIL / real‑time platforms (NI cDAQ/cRIO, dSPACE, or Speedgoat) or related platforms.
• Ability to demonstrate or articulate why a test is configured a certain way and how results inform the model or evidence of technology computer simulation modeling for design, virtual testing or related applications in digital engineering.
• Familiarity with hydrodynamic energy systems, offshore systems or related technologies.
• Demonstrated initiative, for example, through independently developed research questions, novel model development, and/or addressing new engineering or scientific challenges.
• Demonstrated interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Evidence of coupling experiments with system‑level modeling/validation or evidence in a dissertation, project or publication.

The Hydrodynamic Energy Systems (HES) department develops technologies that harness energy from waves, currents, tides and ocean thermal gradients to generate energy for power and national security applications. We apply capabilities and expertise in mechanical, electrical,…