Senior​/Principal Electromechanical Technologist - Atmospheric Sciences, Onsite

Senior/Principal Electromechanical Technologist - Atmospheric Sciences, 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

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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 401k, 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.

Are you motivated by hands‑on technical work that directly supports national security and atmospheric science? Do you value teamwork, adaptability, and seeing complex systems operate in real‑world environments? We are seeking an Electromechanical Technologist to support atmospheric science field experiments using large, tethered aerostat systems.

This position supports a mission‑critical, multidisciplinary research program conducting field‑based experiments for science and national security related applications. The selected candidate will work closely with scientists, engineers, and technologists to design, integrate, test, deploy, and operate scientific instrumentation and tethered balloon flight systems in both laboratory and field environments. The work is hands‑on, often time‑sensitive, and conducted in environments that demand strong attention to safety, procedures, and teamwork.

This position requires regular and extended travel‑up to 16 weeks per year to support atmospheric field campaigns at varied locations. Field deployments typically involve extended workdays for 14+ day long periods, physically demanding outdoor activities, and operations in challenging environmental conditions, including extreme heat or cold in an outdoor environment. Travel and fieldwork are essential functions of this position and are scheduled to meet mission needs.

Candidates must be willing and able to participate fully in all phases of field deployment, including preparation, execution, and demobilization. Field operations may involve non‑standard work hours and sustained effort during deployment periods. While demanding, this work provides opportunities for meaningful contribution to high‑impact missions in the national interest.

This role supports the full lifecycle of field experiments. The selected candidate will be expected to contribute across multiple technical domains and adapt to evolving mission needs.

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

Develop and integrate electrical systems for airborne miniaturized scientific instrumentation, including pumps, heaters, and microcontroller‑based systems

Support the operation of tethered balloon systems and associated instrumentation during field deployments

Design, test, and troubleshoot winch system components, including motor controllers, electronic brakes, and DC motors

Size, specify, and maintain lithium battery systems for airborne and ground‑based equipment

Fabricate and assemble cabling for AC and DC power systems; solder electronic components

Evaluate performance of airborne lighting, communications, and scientific payloads

Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot optical, RF, and electrical systems in laboratory and field environments

Rapidly prototype and implement solutions to operational and integration challenges

Fabricate instruments, tools, and systems for use in field operations with the balloon system

Participate in mission planning, logistics…