Cleared Faculty Sabbatical, 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.

About the role

This program selects outstanding professors from universities nationwide with the goal of fostering collaboration between faculty and Sandia staff. It provides an opportunity for participants to contribute meaningfully to Sandia’s technical mission while strengthening university partnerships. Participants will offer subject matter expertise in ground and flight testing efforts, including sounding rocket flight testing, payload design and integration, as well as high-speed wind tunnel design, test setup, and execution.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and contributing to the overall design of flight test vehicles
• Coordinating and assisting with the development and execution of payload requirements
• Building relationships and collaborating with government and industry launch providers
• Working closely with external range and test facility personnel
• Traveling as needed to support design reviews, integration, testing, and field deployment activities

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.

Requirements

• A Master'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.
• Effective communication skills across academia, national laboratories, industry, and government agencies.
• Active DOE L clearance or DoD equivalent required to start.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Qualifications We Desire

• PhD in relevant discipline
• Experience working around energetics or other hazardous materials
• Review and contribute to overall flight test vehicle design efforts
• Coordinate and assist with payload requirements development and execution
• Build relationships and coordinate with other government and industry launch providers
• Collaborate with external range and test facility personnel
• Travel as needed to support reviews, integration, testing, and fielding activities

About Our Team

Org 5475 Missile Systems specializes in the design, assembly, integration and flight testing of end-to-end rocket and payload systems, with a particular focus on Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical AI&T support, and Ordnance and Propulsive Systems. Missile Systems focuses on flight vehicle design and payload integration to support a variety of DOE, DoD, and other mission partner flight test needs, including fielding emplacement and flight testing at multiple Sandia and partner sites across the nation. It also oversees the Solid Rocket Motor inventory that Sandia maintains to support ongoing flight tests. Missile Systems is also available to support mechanical and ordnance design, integration, and test activities for a variety of partner organizations across the labs.

Pay

Salary range is estimated at $1,000 - $500,000. Actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Benefits

• Challenging work with impact contributing to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Access to some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions, including 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

These benefits vary by job classification.

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). Applicants must be able to maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship, your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.