R&D Systems Engineer - W87-1 Flight Test Team, 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://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

We are seeking a W87-1 Flight Test Vehicle (FTV) System Engineer to join the W87-1 Systems team supporting system level integration, assembly, and testing for W87-1 Flight Test Vehicles (FTVs) from Sandia National Laboratories California (SNL/CA), as well as support W87-1 FTV integration with the USAF's Sentinel Missile and range assets!

In this role, you will support the W87-1 Systems Environmental Flight Test Unit (EFTU) and W87-1 Systems Developmental Joint Test Assembly 10 (DJTA10) USAF integration, ground testing and flight testing. On any given day you may be called on to:

• Design and Innovate: Create and design test equipment, subcomponents, cables, and other hardware to meet rigorous performance standards for Flight Test Vehicles.
• Integrate Systems: Conduct requirements discovery, negotiation, and verification for both mission objectives and missile compliance. Collaborate across various engineering domains (hardware, software, mechanical, aerospace, etc.) to integrate lower-level designs and subsystems into a cohesive system that functions through environments.
• Lead Technical Direction: Provide guidance to technologist and partners in the assembly, calibration, troubleshooting, and operation of test equipment, system components, and instrumentation of hardware
• Troubleshoot and Resolve: Identify root causes of anomalies and failures during testing and development phases and develop and implement effective mitigation strategies. Engage in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance engineering processes and methodologies
• Develop Automated Solutions: Design automated test solutions for weapon systems, including test fixtures, cables, electrical sensors, and instrumentation hardware. Support automated data processing of flight test data via the Sandia ground station
• Collaborate Effectively: Work closely with SNL Systems Organizations other laboratories, design partners, sponsors, and stakeholders to ensure flight test plans remain on schedule.
• Test and Evaluate: Analyze test data and providing insights to inform design decisions and program direction. Support pre-flight assembly activities at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Identify and mitigate risks associated with system design and testing processes.

As a member of our dedicated and knowledgeable flight test vehicle team, you will find a workplace that fosters learning, visibility, and career growth. In our collaborative environment, we prioritize teamwork and provide a robust support system to help everyone succeed. We empower our engineers with decision-making authority and the resources needed to bring innovative ideas to life.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite 100% of the time. This position will require up to 25% travel domestically, as needed.

$121,900 - $237,800

*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.

• A bachelors 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 clearance.

The ideal R&D Systems Engineer 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 Laboratory (LLNL) 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 this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

• Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent is preferred at the time of application.
• Strong background in aerospace or systems engineering, with demonstrated experience in system testing, integration, and troubleshooting.
• Experience contributing within a NW Systems Engineering or Telemetry (TM) team on a LEP, Mod, Futures, Stockpile System, or a related/equivalent DoW modernization program.
• Experience with stockpile or development ND systems, including ND reentry systems and JTA experience.
• Proficient in Requirements Management and Verification, with experience in requirements discovery and negotiation.
• Experience with bench, lab, and flight vehicle instrumentation, including data collection, processing, and analysis.
• Academic or job experiences in engineering design, qualification, production, or related modeling/simulation projects.
• Basic understanding of software programming for instrumentation.

The W87-1 System team is responsible for designing and qualifying the W87-1 warhead and for working with the Sentinel Missile System Project Officer (SPO) to integrate the warhead with the missile. The team comprises advanced-degree technical staff with backgrounds in electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering. Additionally, the team includes core partners in project management, reliability, quality, nuclear safety, surveillance, engineering sciences, and material sciences. We collaborate closely with LLNL as Design Agencies for the program. The system team also participates in multiple subgroups supporting the USAF Project Officers Group (POG).

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.