Senior​/Principal R&D Mechanical Engineer - Tethered Balloon Systems, Onsite

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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:

We are seeking an electromechanical or mechanical research and development engineer (job title: R&D S&E, Mechanical Engineering) 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 other scientists, engineers, and technologists to design, integrate, test, deploy, and operate scientific instrumentation and tethered balloon flight systems in both laboratory and field environments.

This role requires a high degree of technical breadth, operational flexibility, and personal initiative. The work is hands‑on, often time‑sensitive, and conducted in environments that demand strong attention to safety, procedures, and teamwork.

Field Deployments and Travel Requirements:
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 of 14+ days, physically demanding outdoor activities, and operations in challenging environmental conditions, including extreme heat or cold. Candidates must be prepared to work in remote and harsh environments for extended periods.

Travel and fieldwork are essential functions of this role and include all phases of deployment: preparation, execution, and demobilization. Candidates must be willing and able to fully participate in these activities. 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 airborne scientific field experiments, requiring adaptability to evolving mission needs.

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

Design, fabricate, and integrate mechanical and electrical systems for airborne miniaturized scientific instrumentation, using 3D printers, CNC milling, plasma cutting and other fabrication tools

Develop, integrate and deploy data acquisition systems for tethered balloon operations, including monitoring of key variables and avionics

Engineer and troubleshoot instrumentation and sub‑systems in both lab and field environments

Assist and lead multi‑disciplinary teams in all aspects of tethered balloon systems (TBS) deployments from mission planning, logistics, field site setup, installation, and validation of instrumentation and data collects

Conduct mechanical and structural design and analysis using engineering software

Rapidly prototype and implement engineering solutions to operational challenges in both laboratory and field environments

Follow stringent Environmental, Safety, and Health protocols, including FAA…