Senior​/Principal System Engineer - LAZAP Project Lead, Onsite

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 a dedicated R&D Systems/Electrical/Optical/Mechanical Engineer to be the technical LAZAP lead. LAZAP is a facility that supports the calibration and functional testing of optical satellite payloads for the U.S. Nuclear Detonation (NUDET) Detection System (USNDS). The testing is accomplished by directing a high‑powered laser(s) thru a beam director to a target in space.

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

Work with a team of engineers and technologists to collaborate on challenging laser / optical / electromechanical / software systems / safety systems, as well as being the point of contact to coordinate the testing with other agencies.

Be certified to operate all mission positions. At the completion of each mission, you will lead the data analysis and report generation.

A critical aspect of the project leading role is understanding the entire facility hardware and software architecture, creating and implementing an R&D and M&O (maintenance and operations) roadmap for capability improvements and the avoidance of equipment/software obsolescence while maintaining a safe work practice.

Report the monthly milestone and budget status to USNDS Sandia National Labs program and line management as well as the customer when required.

Maintain a strong safety theme, assuring a working environment within the defined safety envelope

LAZAP is located east of Sandia Tech Area 1 in Albuquerque, and a virtual tour of the facility may be viewed at the following link: .php

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

Salary Range:

$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.

Qualifications We Require:

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 knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.

Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

The ideal R&D S&E Systems Engineering candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

Graduate degree in Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).

Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC),

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Kansas City National Security Campus/New Mexico Operations (KCNSC/NMO). Experience working on engineering design, qualification, production, or related modeling/simulation projects.

Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Also, for…