Cleared Optical Engineer - Explosive Laboratory, 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 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

* These benefits vary by job classification.

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We are seeking an Optical Engineer familiar with high power laser research and analysis to join the explosives applications laboratory. The position will involve providing R&D, hardware/software development, data collection, data analysis, field deployment, and end‑user training for national security, high consequence laser programs.

• Perform high‑power‑laser work with a multidisciplinary technical team.
• Conduct laser material effects data analysis.
• Represent Sandia in discussions with government agency personnel involved in the national nuclear incident response mission.

This position may require occasional travel. 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.

• 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.
• Active DOE Q or equivalent clearance, with ability to maintain that clearance.

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field with an independent research project (e.g., thesis or dissertation).
• Experience designing and performing complex laboratory tests.
• Experience analyzing results of laser experiments, drawing conclusions, documenting findings, and designing additional experiments.
• Experience designing kilowatt‑class optical systems for spectrally combined, direct‑diode laser systems.
• Qualified Laser Safety Officer.
• Experience working with kW Class IV lasers.
• Proficient in performing data analysis using MATLAB, Python, or similar programming languages.
• Knowledge of National Instruments DAQ’s and LabVIEW programming.
• Experience with Solid Works, ZEMAX, and other optical design tools.
• Experience working with high‑voltage components and systems.
• Willingness to engage in field activities at the SNL testing areas and customer locations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to create technical documentation and communicate technical information to a wide spectrum of audiences, including law enforcement or military personnel.
• Familiarity with or ability to learn operation of oscilloscopes, high‑speed cameras, infrared cameras, integrating spheres, beam profilers, and other laser beam diagnostics.
• Demonstrated ability to safely work in hazardous environments.

The Explosive Engineering Operations department (Org 6649) specializes in the design, development, and characterization of explosive systems through the design of energetic devices, experimental validation of energetic device performance, interior and terminal ballistic effects, and high‑power laser effects research. The department…