R&D Manager - Optimization and UQ, Hybrid
Hobbs, Lea County, New Mexico, 88244, USA
Listed on 2026-08-17
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Research/Development
Data Scientist -
Management
R&D Manager - Optimization and UQ, Hybrid
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 Level 1 Manager to lead a diverse R&D department developing state-of-the-art scientific optimization and uncertainty quantification (UQ) algorithms and software for continuous and discrete optimization, optimal control, parameter estimation, UQ, inverse problems, and sensitivity analyses. This department advances foundational and applied research while delivering impactful solutions for Sandia's national security missions. This department also maintains partnerships at many levels and collaborates actively with other government institutions, universities and industry.
Are you passionate about leading high-performing technical teams, shaping strategic research directions, collaborating with authorities across government, industry, and academia, and developing the next generation of experts in optimization and UQ? If so, this role offers an opportunity to guide a dynamic team at the intersection of emerging technology, mission impact, and scientific discovery.
On any given day you may be called on to:Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of researchers, data scientists, software developers, and technical staff working on robust and efficient methods for optimization and UQ.
Partner with staff, peer managers, senior leaders, university collaborators, industry partners, and government sponsors to deliver on current commitments and identify future opportunities.
Shape the department's technical vision and strategic direction, guiding the development of innovative capabilities that advance both open research and mission-driven applications.
Collaborate as an integral member of the Center 1400 management team to develop, communicate, and execute organizational strategy.
Serve as the ASC Program Subelement lead for the V&V Tools and Software portfolio, which develops and stewards ASC software such as Dakota and Mat Cal.
Maintain and grow a strong open research foundation while connecting research outcomes to Sandia's mission needs.
Oversee day-to-day department management activities, including work planning, performance management, resource allocation, hiring, staff development, and operational execution.
Recruit, hire, mentor, and retain exceptional staff while fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing team environment.
Build and maintain relationships with sponsors and stakeholders to align department capabilities with current and emerging mission priorities.
Promote technical excellence, responsible research practices, innovation, and mission impact across the department's research portfolio.
Steward and advocate for the adoption of optimization and UQ software, such as Dakota, ROL, and Pyomo.
The selected applicant can work a combination of onsite and offsite work. The selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary.
Salary Range:$163,700 - $278,000
* Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and…
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