Cleared Senior​/Principal Mechanical Engineer - Space Mission Engineering Program Office, Onsite

About Sandia:

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.

• 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 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten‑hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part‑time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• 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. Learn more about Sandia at: http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..gov

* These benefits vary by job classification.

Sandia’s Space Mission Engineering Program Office (SMEPO) strives to enhance national security by creating the future of space. To this end we seek the toughest unmet, space‑based mission challenges for our DoD and IC partners. Solving these problems requires acting as a trusted resource, leveraging innovative ideas, applying differentiating technologies, and harnessing the strength of Sandia’s unique capabilities.

We are seeking an experienced R&D Mechanical Engineer to join our space flight efforts in the areas of optical remote sensing, space control, and rapid realization. The successful candidate will have demonstrated the ability to strengthen partnerships, work with DoD or IC sponsors, mature enabling technologies, and execute space flight payloads through full lifecycle.

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

• Independently design or develop solutions to complex technical problems.
• Build and test space flight systems or associated prototypes.
• Support or lead diverse, multidisciplinary internal teams to realize new flight payloads.
• Engage with external sponsors and Sandia leadership.
• Generate and deliver proposals, reports, or presentations.
• Identify gaps and opportunities to drive innovation.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and guidance for less‑experienced staff.
• Work in a secure environment, protecting information and results as required.

Must be willing to support occasional travel.

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

$114,000 - $227,500

* 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.
• Active DOE Q‑level and SCI clearance, or DOD equivalent (TS/SCI) security clearance.

The ideal R&D 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.

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

• Four (4) or more years hands‑on experience with space flight systems (designs/architecture, realization/build, testing and deployment).
• Two (2) or more years of experience with DOD or IC communities.
• Five (5) or more years of mechanical design experience, including CAD packages like Solidworks or CREO.
• Three (3) or more years project leadership…