Cleared Senior Principal Computer Scientist - Space 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. Our mission is to render exceptional service in the national interest, defining and advancing scientific and engineering solutions that ensure a peaceful and prosperous world.

About the role

For over 70 years, Sandia National Laboratories has driven scientific and engineering advances in global security. Our 15,000 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support personnel work on projects that transform data into decisions supporting national security missions. We are seeking multiple experienced Computer Science professionals to join highly productive teams that research and develop innovative solutions to a broad spectrum of problems of national importance.

In this role, you will collaborate in an innovating environment to architect, design, develop, test, and deploy modern data processing software for sophisticated, real-time decision support systems. Our work spans remote sensing, data fusion, signal and image processing, analytics, cloud computing, machine learning, modeling and simulation, service architectures, data management and visualization, and pattern recognition.

• Work on an Agile team developing software systems addressing remote sensing problems, including the capture, processing, exploitation, visualization, and distribution of real-time satellite sensor data
• Collaborate with architects, developers, technical leads, customers, and end users to collect requirements, design solutions, and deliver extensible software applications
• Analyze existing systems and develop new solutions that push the state of what is possible
• Propose and lead image processing and data-centric research and development projects
• Use debugging tools, static analysis tools, test harnesses, and other capabilities to address sophisticated software applications and libraries
• Engage with diverse specialists in areas such as data fusion, signal and image processing, analytics, cloud computing, machine learning, modeling and simulation, service architectures, data management and visualization, and pattern recognition

Our team designs and develops sophisticated data processing systems and analytical applications that enable critical nonproliferation and national security missions. We support applications including remote and in-situ sensing systems, satellite communications and control, distributed computing and analysis, real-time data collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination, and mission engineering and analysis.

Requirements

• 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 and the ability to obtain an SCI
• Due to the nature of this work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a DOE Q-level security clearance

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Computer Science or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation)
• Demonstrated software development skills and familiarity with modern software development practices and tools (e.g., Agile)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and a passion to improve and expand technical skills
• Experience with object-oriented software development in C++, Java, or Python
• Experience using a subset of the following: system engineering, hardware and software architecture, distributed system design, data exploitation/mining/fusion algorithms, digital signal processing, image processing, optical systems, command and control systems, numerical analysis, modeling and simulation, relational/object/geographic database technologies, user interfaces, scientific data visualization, web service technologies, and multi-core/GPU/parallel computing
• Proficiency in a subset of the following: requirements capture, software modeling using UML, systems-level software testing, high consequence anomaly resolution, documentation and training, information assurance, and deployment of delivered systems
• Experience using CI/CD tools such as Maven, Gradle, Jenkins, GitLab, GitHub, or Docker
• Desire and ability to grow technical capabilities, programs, and staff
• Active SCI

Benefits

• Challenging work with impact contributing to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers and 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.

Pay

Salary range: $117,500 - $235,700. Salary is estimated and will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, including any approved geographic salary differential.

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).