Cleared R&D Mechanical Engineer - Light Initiated High Explosives, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nations 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 highly versatile R&D Mechanical Engineer to work with a team of other engineers and technologists to support the daily operations and projects within the Light Initiated High Explosives (LIHE) facility.

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

• Support the daily operations of projects within the Light Initiated High Explosives (LIHE) facility
• Support research for the development of environmental testing using Light Initiated High Explosives
• Design, integrate and implement equipment and process solutions to overcome technical problems as part of the LIHE Team
• Operate and maintain lab equipment including robotic sprayers, remote manipulators, high voltage capacitor banks and diagnostics tools
• Design equipment and fixtures using modeling software such as SolidWorks
• Assist with projects and experiments based on PI direction
• Document designs, experiments, and processes
• Maintain compliance with environmental, safety, security and health requirements by developing and documenting work plans, operating procedures, security plans, waste treatment documentation packages, etc

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

$99,400 - $193,600

*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, 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
• An active DOE Q clearance, or equivalent is 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:

• Evidence of good academic performance
• Familiarity with explosives testing
• Experience working in a laboratory setting
• Experience with:
  • Robotic systems
  • X-ray diagnostics systems
  • Mechanical and/or electrical systems including design, fabrication, and testing
  • Developing processes, technical work documents and procedures
  • Developing equipment and process solutions
  • Achieving compliance with environmental, safety and security requirements
  • Analyzing data using LabVIEW or MATLAB software
• Experience using:
  • High speed photometrics equipment (Photron preferred)
  • Modeling software such as SolidWorks
• Ability to document work and processes
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as the ability to work independently
• Willingness to qualify as an explosive operator and work with high explosive materials

Department 07456 conducts validation and surveillance large-scale explosives testing within Sandia's remote technical areas in support of Nuclear Weapons (NW) and Work for Others (WFOs) programs. It supports other Explosive Technology Group (ETG) operations through fabrication of explosive and non-explosive weapons parts/components. In addition, the department has a cross-cutting role within the ETG for explosives handling, shipping, receiving, inventory and machining and for all facility upgrades and maintenance. The Department operates and maintains remote testing facilities including the Terminal Ballistics Facility (TBF), Light Initiated High Explosives (LIHE) Facility and the Explosive Machining Facility (EMF).

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.

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.