Cleared Senior/Principal R&D Mechanical Engineer - FENG Design Team, 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.

About the role

We are seeking an exceptional engineer to support our ferroelectric neutron generator (FENG) design team. As a member of the team you will serve in various roles, including contributing to new designs, improving existing designs, developing tooling and fixtures, and performing design activities to help establish the technical basis for our modernization work. The successful candidate will regularly interact with peers of diverse technical backgrounds within the Neutron Generator Enterprise and throughout Sandia.

• Aid in component and fixture design using CAD and verifying drawings for manufacturability utilizing GD&T
• Rapid prototyping using advanced and additive manufacturing (3-D print prototypes and fixtures) and environmental test of designs
• Provide engineering support for the local production agency by analyzing the impacts of changes/exceptions to the manufacturing process, incoming materials, maintaining process specifications, and assisting with the development of work instructions (design for manufacturing)
• Work with systems partners to further refine product requirements and definition
• Coordinate with product engineers in the production agency to understand and evaluate the trade between producibility and performance
• Interface and coordinate design efforts with design peers in subcomponent PRTs and next-level assembly
• Provide design support for qualification planning, execution, and documentation
• Engage with R&D activities to develop advanced FENG prototypes and partner with neutron tube, active ceramic, and energetic technology spaces
• Coordinate and track the pedigree of multiple experimental test units, document test results, and communicate through presentations

Due to the nature of work, successful candidate must be able to work onsite.

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-level Security Clearance or equivalent.
• A willingness to obtain Sigma 15 access which may require random polygraph tests.

Qualifications

The ideal R&D 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.
• Experience with mechanical design, CAD software (e.g., CREO), and geometrical dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience supporting a deployed product, assessing its performance, identifying concerns and addressing issues, and reporting status to customers.
• A firm working knowledge of neutron generators, how they function, and the processes employed to fabricate them.
• Experience with the ND product development cycle (i.e. Phase X or 6.X) and a working knowledge of the engineering documentation system (e.g., PRIME, PDMlink).
• Demonstrated ability to successfully coordinate complex work activities, document & present results, and manage resources.
• Demonstrated ability to execute development activities with evolving requirements in a fast-paced environment.

About the team

The FENG and Tube Lifecycle Engineering Department (7584) is responsible for the design and development of Neutron Tubes (NTs) and Ferroelectric Neutron Generators (FENGs) for War Reserve, Laboratory, and Field Test applications of Nuclear Weapons. Within the department resides expertise in nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, and electrical engineering. These diverse areas work together to innovate and mature technology in the areas of NT and NG physical and electrical design, NT and NG modeling/simulation, active ceramic and insulative ceramic materials. We also work closely with the explosive component organization and the local NG production agency.

Team members are responsible for assessing the health and performance of the current Nuclear Stockpile and contributing to the Annual Assessment Report for the Nuclear Stockpile. We provide stewardship of our designs and products from delivery to the stockpile through disposal at end of life. By working together our department is flexible and resourceful, allowing us to contribute to our nation's need for a reliable deterrent.

Benefits

• 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*

*These benefits vary by job classification.

Pay

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.

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.