Senior​/Principal R&D S&E, Computer Science - National Solar Thermal Test Facility, Onsite

Senior/Principal R&D S&E, Computer Science - National Solar Thermal Test Facility, 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 an R&D Computer Scientist (job title: R&D S&E, Computer Science) with interdisciplinary skills and a passion for developing the next generation of Solar Thermal technologies and advanced expertise in complex software development, image processing, and solar optics to lead research and development efforts supporting the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) optical program. This role focuses on advancing metrology tools and systems to support the concentrating solar industry.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to learn from experienced staff regarding how to apply deep knowledge of solar optics, physics, and metrology techniques to develop robust tools including Python-based software solutions leveraging Sandia's world class computing environments and our OpenCSP toolset to improve concentrating solar optical metrology, and overall solar thermal system performance. They will be expected to lead multidisciplinary teams, perform excellent technical work, manage DOE-funded projects, and collaborate with internal and external partners to deliver cutting-edge solutions.

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

Lead the development and deployment of high-performance optical metrology tools including SOFAST 2.0, LOOKFAST, ground truth, and others.

Maintain and advance Sandia's OpenCSP framework for collaborative development of tools for the Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) community. This framework includes software, data, CAD designs, and documents (see ).

Lead teams developing advanced Python-based software, computational models, and algorithms.

Develop and refine methods for evaluating and measuring heliostats and solar concentrators; note that this includes significant experimental field work.

Manage DOE funded projects, including technical planning, budgeting, scheduling, and stakeholder communications.

Collaborate closely with experimental teams to integrate optical diagnostics and control systems at the NSTTF.

Effectively communicate results, both in writing and presented verbally in front of large audiences.

Engage with National Lab partners and industry to develop standard methodologies.

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:

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 S&E, Computer Science candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

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

Demonstrated software development skills and familiarity with modern software development practices and tools (e.g., Agile).

Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and a passion to improve and expand technical skills.

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

PhD in Computer Science, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.

Experience with concentrating solar optical metrology and concentrating solar thermal technologies.

Experience with…