Senior​/Principal R&D Systems Engineer - Component and Material Evaluation, 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 four 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.

We are seeking an R&D Systems Engineer for the Component and Material Evaluation (CME) team. In this role, you will join a dynamic team dedicated to addressing complex multidisciplinary issues that have a direct impact on national security. As an R&D Systems Engineer, you will have the unique opportunity to influence the future of our Nuclear Deterrence (ND) mission by supporting both stockpile weapons programs and weapon modernization initiatives.

In this role, you collaborate with a dedicated team to plan and manage the evaluation of stockpile components and materials, while implementing Federal and local ND procedures. Our team provides guidance and expertise on life‑cycle testing and collaborates with ND agencies to develop the necessary equipment for testing components and products. Our efforts are crucial in supporting the Annual Assessment process, as well as reliability and surety assessments for the enduring stockpile.

• Plan and manage the execution of engineering programs for Sandia's customers and sponsors.
• Serve as the primary representative to customers and partners for ND modernization programs, negotiating, managing, and delivering all component evaluation scope for several technology families.
• Establish strong relationships with key influencers and collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including systems and component engineering teams, our Science and Technology (S&T) community, independent technical assessment partners, and production agencies.
• Identify defects and aging trends, understand performance margins, and make predictive assessments of weapon components and their materials through comprehensive component evaluation activities.
• Chair Stockpile Finding Investigations (SFIs) as a System Evaluation Engineer (SEE) to determine the root cause of anomalies discovered during component evaluations, assess their impact on the safety, security, and reliability of the stockpile, and guide discussions to ensure thorough understanding and resolution of issues.
• Engage in lifecycle management of evaluated components, focusing on key phases such as design, testing, and production.
• Identify and manage risks associated with component evaluations, employing strategies for risk assessment and mitigation.
• Document findings and recommendations, preparing reports that communicate complex technical information clearly and effectively to stakeholders.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work full‑time onsite in Albuquerque, NM. This position also requires the ability to travel up to 15% to various NNSA sites.

$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…