R&D Materials Science - Welding Engineering Lab Process Development & Qualification, 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. 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

+ 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
* 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.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

The Metallurgy and Welding Engineering team is seeking a motivated and technically strong R&D Staff Member to support and expand Weld Lab capabilities in process characterization, development, qualification, and mission-relevant welding support. This role will contribute to the advancement of laser welding processes and related laboratory capabilities in support of Sandia's critical component development and production-relevant activities.

The successful candidate will work on a variety of technically challenging efforts, including beam characterization, advanced weld process diagnostic tools, experimental planning, process development, qualification support, and customer/stakeholder engagement. This position will require strong analytical skills, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to independently execute technical work in a highly collaborative, mission-focused environment.

This role is well suited for a high-performing early career candidate with a background in materials science, mechanical engineering, welding engineering, or a related discipline who is ready to take on increasing technical responsibility and support the lab's growing portfolio of work.

This position will play an important role in supporting the Weld Lab's expanding technical scope and increasing demand for process development and qualification support. The ideal candidate will be comfortable operating in a dynamic environment, balancing multiple technical priorities, and helping establish repeatable, well-documented processes that support long-term mission needs.

On any given day, you will:

+ Support and lead selected R&D process development and characterization activities within the Weld Lab, including efforts that require independent technical planning, experimentation, and execution.

+ Develop and execute designs of experiments (DOE) for laser welding and related process characterization efforts, including evaluation of variables such as power, beam intensity, focal position, focal length, travel speed, and other relevant parameters.

+ Support beam characterization and process capability studies for existing and new laser welding tools, including wobble laser systems and new IPG laser platforms.

+ Work with customers, stakeholders, and production partners to define technical needs, align priorities, and support planning for funded development work.

+ Contribute to process qualification, process validation, and production-relevant welding support, including collaboration with KCNSC and other NSE partners.

+ Assist in the development of process documentation, technical reports, procedures, presentations, and other deliverables that capture knowledge and support long-term lab capability.

+ Support troubleshooting, process optimization, and improvement of welding processes, tooling, and system performance.

+ Collaborate with technologists, interns, and other staff to strengthen team bench depth, transfer knowledge, and maintain sustainable lab operations.

+ Evaluate and present technical data clearly through graphs, figures, summaries, and oral/written communication.

+ Contribute to strategic planning for Weld Lab capability growth and help identify technical gaps, opportunities, and future needs.

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

Salary Range:

$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.

Qualifications We Require:

+ 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.

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