R&D Mechanical Engineer - Explosive Components Product Engineer, Onsite

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a highly motivated Product Engineer to join our Explosive Component Production team within the Explosive Technologies Group at Sandia National Laboratories. This department is responsible for the Production of explosive components, including detonators, ignitors, actuators, and other explosive components, in support of the Nuclear Deterrence mission.

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

• Manage product definition (graphic drawings and specifications) for explosive components under development or in production
• Work with external suppliers to produce development or Mark Quality product
• Collaborate with engineers, technologists, and project management to stand up and qualify new production capabilities for explosive components
• Engage in hands‑on work in a laboratory environment, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and best practices
• Ensure product quality and design intent through technical oversight, defect investigations, and root cause analyses
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance key Production metrics.
• Design and develop processes for product manufacturing, including planning sequences of operations and specifying procedures for material transformation
• Conduct tests and measurements throughout production stages to maintain control over process and product variables
• Utilize systematic problem‑solving methods to drive process understanding and improvements

Occasional travel may be required.

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

$102,400 - $199,700

* 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, 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 obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance

The ideal R&D S&E Mechanical Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• 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

• Experience interfacing with and participating in Product Realization Teams
• Experience with working in a high-quality production environment applying rigorous processes
• Proven ability to develop, maintain, and improve manufacturing processes, including developing fixtures and tooling
• Experience with installation, qualification, and maintenance of manufacturing process equipment
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and statistical process control
• Experience with methods such as resistance welding, laser welding, leak checking, visual inspection, vacuum systems, and metrology
• Experience with glass‑to‑metal sealing in a furnace and machining metals, glass, and ceramics
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and apply the analysis to decision‑making
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, including Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Experience with hazardous operations and a commitment to safety in an explosives facility
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly to diverse audiences
• Ability to work effectively in a flexible, diverse team environment and manage multiple tasks and projects
• Background in, or experience with, explosive technologies and engineering applications is a plus

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.