Cleared Senior​/Principal Systems Engineer & Project Lead, 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://www.sandia.gov

* These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated R&D Systems Engineer / Project Lead to help shape and deliver advanced RF/microwave special communication systems for critical national security applications.

This role is well suited for a senior engineer who is energized by leading complex technical efforts, influencing system strategy across the full product lifecycle, and working at the intersection of engineering innovation and mission execution. Our systems integrate advanced signaling approaches with ultra-low-power RF receiver/transmitter designs to address high-impact, high-consequence mission needs. The work is technically challenging, highly collaborative, and directly connected to national security outcomes.

This is an opportunity to bring deep systems thinking, sound engineering judgment, and trusted leadership to programs of significant importance and visibility.

In this role, you will:

Lead critical R&D and systems engineering activities across the full product realization lifecycle, including requirements development and traceability, validation and verification (V&V), risk management, and technical documentation

Help define and implement trust assurance strategies, plans, completion reports, and engineering authorizations to ensure products meet mission needs, requirements, and design intent

Provide technical leadership across all phases of development, from concept formation and design through qualification, production, fielding, and sustainment

Identify, assess, and mitigate technical and programmatic risks to enable robust, trustworthy, and timely product delivery

Lead and influence multidisciplinary teams of engineers and subject matter experts across organizational boundaries

Build strong working relationships with internal organizations and external partners to align technical execution with program goals

Communicate programmatic and technical status, issues, and recommendations to customers, sponsors, and senior stakeholders

Coordinate qualification and production activities to support successful transition from development into deployment

Successful candidates will join a high-performing, mission-driven team delivering systems that address some of the nation's most important security challenges. This position offers the opportunity to combine technical depth, leadership, and mission engagement in a role with meaningful impact.

As a Project Lead, you will be expected to operate with a high degree of independence and ownership. You will guide cross-functional teams through development, qualification, testing, and fielding activities while helping balance technical rigor, schedule, and program priorities. You will also collaborate closely with external customers and stakeholders, including the DoW, NNSA, DOE, and the Intelligence Community, and represent the program in technical discussions and briefings.

This position will require the ability to travel occasionally.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required 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…