Senior​/Principal R&D Mechanical Engineer - Product Realization Space Hardware, 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:

Join a dynamic R&D team supporting high-visibility programs critical to national security. As an R&D Mechanical Engineer, you will support space-based payload development across the full product lifecyclefrom conceptual design through fabrication, assembly, qualification, and test.

This role focuses on mechanical design and product realization for space hardware, including translating mechanical and optical concepts into detailed designs, drawings, fabricated hardware, and technical documentation. You will also manage build-to-print components, COTS materials, suppliers, and manufacturing activities.

Key responsibilities include:

Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies for space payloads.

Develop and interpret mechanical drawings, tolerances, and CAD models.

Support fabrication, assembly, inspection, qualification, and testing of flight hardware.

Manage mechanical suppliers, including supplier selection, development, performance, quality, and delivery.

Work with suppliers on fabrication, special processes, inspections, nonconformances, and corrective actions.

Apply rigorous product qualification processes to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance.

Maintain configuration control and product/documentation traceability.

Support project cost and schedule tracking, including earned value management.

Collaborate closely with mechanical, systems, quality, configuration management, program management, purchasing, manufacturing, and external suppliers.

Balance multiple projects and responsibilities in a fast-paced, collaborative R&D environment.

Due to the nature of work, successful candidate must be onsite. Approximately 10% travel is required.

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 level security clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

The ideal R&D Mechanical Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a…