Member​/Senior Aerospace Engineer - Applied Aerodynamics, Onsite

About the Role

We are seeking highly qualified, self‑directed, results‑focused aeronautical and aerospace engineers who have strong interpersonal skills to support lab‑wide efforts focusing on the application of aerodynamic and flight mechanics models for design and analysis of hypersonic reentry systems, atmospheric flight vehicles, and rocket systems.

• Work as part of high‑performing, passionate, multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Support the design, development, and flight test of advanced aerospace flight systems including advanced hypersonic flight vehicles, reentry bodies, and rocket systems.
• Develop multi‑fidelity aerodynamic and flight performance models using analytic/computational aerodynamic methods/tools, including wind tunnel testing.
• Conduct detailed aerodynamic characteristic analyses including vehicle performance, stability, and control.
• Create and optimize 3
  
  DOF/6
  
  DOF trajectory simulations of complex multi‑body flight systems for performance analysis and mission requirement verification/development.
• Create system models and apply multidisciplinary design and optimization methods/tools for conceptual design trade‑space analysis.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. Relocation provided for those who qualify.

$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, 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.

• Graduate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience in applied aerodynamics, flight mechanics, or trajectory simulation with application to the design, modeling, simulation, optimization, and analysis of aerospace flight systems.
• Experience with the capabilities, use, and application of MATLAB®, Simulink®, Python, C/C++, or other modern programming languages and repositories in technical analysis/computing and software development.
• Proven ability to work and communicate effectively in a collaborative and interdisciplinary team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast‑paced/schedule‑driven environment.

• Experience in the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), aerothermal/ablation and material thermal response tools, or closely related tools for the analysis of hypersonics, reentry, or related flight systems.
• Experience in developing and deploying multi‑fidelity aerodynamic and flight performance models in multidisciplinary design, optimization, and 3
  
  DOF/6
  
  DOF trajectory simulation environments.
• Experience in high‑performance computing and technical software development.

• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance, and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance.
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions including 9/80, 4/10 compressed workweeks, part‑time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home).

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre‑employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

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

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug‑releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs. If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on‑site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements before the interview date.