Cleared Senior/Principal Mechanical Engineer - Enabling Aerospace Systems, 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.

As an R&D S&E Mechanical Engineer, you will apply integrated technical judgment grounded in the scientific method to identify and solve complex problems. You will collect and analyze data through observation and experimentation, formulate and test hypotheses, and innovate solutions that support Sandia National Laboratories critical missions. Your work will be rooted in fundamental science and engineering principles, applying scientific theories and engineering methods to develop and demonstrate new designs, materials, products, and systems.

You will engage in both physical and computational simulation, analysis, and evaluation as core parts of your development process. Your responsibilities will span fundamental research, development, and demonstration activities within Sandias science and engineering programs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing high-performance computational models to analyze mechanical and physical systems.
• Designing and implementing experimental diagnostic methods to measure mechanical and physical processes.
• Conducting research in areas such as engineering mechanics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, vibration, physical metallurgy, tribology, power engineering, kinematics, and heat transfer.
• Applying research findings to the design, development, analysis, and testing of mechanical, electromechanical, and piezoelectric systems, instruments, controls, engines, and machines.
• Analyzing system performance under stress conditions such as temperature, load, motion, shock, and vibration to ensure design requirements are met.
• Leading hands-on assembly, testing, and fielding of the products you design, working closely with skilled technicians in lab and environmental testing environments.
• Collaborating within integrated teams, fostering cross-capability mentoring, and supporting an experimentalist mindset.
• Participating in field missions to deploy and qualify technologies for their intended use.

This role offers a unique blend of cutting-edge R&D engineering and practical, hands-on involvement, providing exposure to both laboratory and field environments. You will have the opportunity to see your designs through from concept to real-world application, making a tangible impact on national security and scientific advancement.

*Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

$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.

• 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.
• DOE Q Security Clearance or equivalent required to start.

The ideal R&D S&E Mechanical Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience with mechanical engineering and product realization in the NNSA complex.
• 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:

• In-depth understanding and practical experience with scientific and engineering methods, along with a commitment to the highest ethical standards in research.
• Proven ability to design, plan, and execute research, design, and development projects effectively.
• Proficiency with CAD and CAE software tools, such as Creo and SolidWorks.
• Experience applying Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) to accurately convey design intent for parts and assemblies.
• Willingness and capability to work in both laboratory and field environments.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly to both technical peers and non-expert audiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to learning and adhering to Sandias policies and procedures.
• Ability to model and promote behaviors that align with Sandias core values.

Department 5414 at Sandia National Laboratories provides high quality, enabling aerospace systems to a variety of customers that support a broad range of ground and flight tests in nuclear deterrence and military systems development programs.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

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.

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.