Cleared Senior/Principal Weapons Systems Engineer - W76-0 Technical Basis Realization Lead, Onsite
Job Description
About Sandia:
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 looking for a highly motivated R&D Systems Engineer to take on the role of W76-0 Technical Basis Realization Team (TBRT) Lead . Our team is responsible for executing design, development, qualification, assessment, and sustainment activities related to the W76-0 weapon system.
In this impactful and rewarding position, you will be responsible for and must be cognizant of all aspects of engineering work at SNL pertaining to the W76-0 and its annual assessment. This includes preparing and delivering programmatic and technical presentations, as well as assisting in the writing of the annual assessment report. As the TBRT Lead, you will serve as the primary liaison to various component teams and Surveillance organizations conducting testing on behalf of the W76-0 weapon system.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Partner closely with the Weapon System Lead to guide a high-performing, dynamic and multi-disciplinary team in executing the vital stewardship mission for the W76-0 Stockpile System.
- Drive implementation of the Risk-Informed Stockpile Evaluation framework by identifying, prioritizing, documenting, and reporting on initiatives that enhance our understanding of the system.
- Shape and manage a diverse technical basis portfolio that is critical to the success of the annual assessment.
- Maintain cognizance of current hardware and software infrastructure, while planning for future resources for the support sustainment of the W76-0 Stockpile System.
- Partner with peer TBRT Leads across various programs at both SNL/NM and SNL/CA to address cross-cutting topics of interest.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and domain specialists effectively investigate anomalies and resolve complex system-related challenges.
- Engage and team with numerous groups at SNL (e.g. component engineers, surveillance, independent assessment, military liaison, system surety, nuclear safety, technical subject matter experts) as well as external agencies (Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SP), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), and Pantex Production as well as DoD contractors).
The successful candidate will become intimately familiar with the detailed function of W76-0 nuclear weapon components, subsystems, and systems, and will have the opportunity to exercise investigative freedom in engaging the broad Nuclear Weapons community.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM.
This position requires travel to various locations, including but not limited to Livermore, CA; Los Alamos, NM; Amarillo, TX; Kansas City, MO; and Washington, D.C.
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.
- Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent to start.
Qualifications We Desire:
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:
- A preferred degree in Electrical Engineering.
- Demonstrated ability of successfully guiding teams toward achieving project goals, along with a solid understanding of nuclear weapon systems and fundamental nuclear surety principles.
- A self-motivated and optimistic individual committed to cultivating a culturally and technically diverse environment while thriving in a fast-paced setting.
- Ability to integrate into and work effectively across multiple technical teams and with management.
- Experience applying engineering principles to conduct trade studies to identify system solutions.
Familiarity with SNL drawing and authorization system, product development and qualification, testing and evaluation, modeling, and simulation.
About Our Team:
We are responsible for the W76-0/1/2 nuclear weapon stockpile and suite of activities. In addition to our established stockpile responsibilities, we are engaged in numerous development and qualification projects, including the JTA3, Mk4B, and ALT939 ISA program. Ongoing production activities at KCNSC necessitate frequent communication across various areas.
Additionally, our team (2222) leads the development of testers and operational activities for hardware management, providing engineering leadership for all W76-0/1/2 test body assembly and disassembly activities. We also serve as the primary interface with test and computational simulation organizations to effectively manage the schedule and budget related to qualification efforts.
Posting Duration:
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.
Security Clearance:
Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD). Sandia is required by DOE directive 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 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.
EEO:
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.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:
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.
Job ID: 696878
Job Family: RD
Regular/Temporary Position: R
Full/Part-Time Status: F
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.


