Cleared Senior/Principal R&D Systems Engineer - FENG Product Realization Team Lead, 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:
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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*
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What Your Job Will Be Like:
We are looking for highly motivated, team‑oriented individual to serve as the product realization team lead (PRT Lead) to develop a ferroelectric neutron generator (FENG) for the W87-1 modernization program. In this role you will combine your engineering expertise, knowledge of performance requirements and manufacturability, and leadership skills to direct a team toward creating a design that meets the performance, schedule, and cost requirements of the customer. The successful candidate will lead a technical team with diverse technical backgrounds within the department as well as co‑workers in the production and design organizations within of Neutron Generators and Energetic Components. As the face of the team, you will interact regularly with our customer, the W87-1 Modernization team, to provide regular updates on technical design work, discuss budget and schedule, communicate projects risks as they develop, and respond to program requests when they arise.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
Support the W87-1 NG PRT with advancing and maturing a new FENG design.
Act as the primary representative for the PRT for programmatic and technical issues, coordinating with the weapon system engineer (WSE) to report to Systems and Federal Program Managers (FPMs) as needed.
Work with systems partners to further refine product requirements and definition.
Educate the customer, as needed, with an overview of the operation, fabrication, and sustainment of NGs, to explain the rationale behind design choices. Articulate the value, in terms of cost and schedule, of the design choices.
Ensure the technical basis for design decisions are appropriately documented.
Define PRT member roles and set clear priorities to coordinate efforts and meet program timelines.
Work with the project controller and project manager to develop project cost estimates, develop and monitor budgets and schedules, and use earned value management (EVM) to support the W87-1 in overall program management.
Identify, track, and communicate project risks.
Work with the surety engineer to ensure consistency and adherence to product realization procedures (i.e., RPPs) and other performance requirements.
Prepare the team and help coordinate the collection of evidence needed for successful design reviews, program gates, and project milestones. Track any identified close‑out activities toward completion.
Coordinate with product engineers in the production agency to understand and evaluate the trade between producibility and performance.
Collaborate with PRT members on developing and executing test plans (shock, vibe, thermal, and rad) to evaluate the performance of different designs.
Due to the nature of work, successful candidate must be able to work onsite.
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.
Qualifications We Require:
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 developmen
Active DOE Q-level Security Clearance or equivalent. A willingness to obtain Sigma 15 access.
Qualifications We Desire:
The ideal R&D Systems Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:
Graduate degree in Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLNL) and Kansas City National Security Campus/New Mexico Operations (KCNSC/NMO).
Experience working on engineering design, qualification, production, or related modeling/simulation projects.
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:
5 or more years of experience on a product development program, with direct experience working on a PRT through final design review (FDR) and first production unit (FPU).
Experience on an ND product development program as a technical or programmatic lead.
Experience with the ND product development cycle (i.e. 6.x) and a working knowledge of the engineering documentation system (e.g., PRIME, PDMlink) and Realize Product Procedures (RPPs).
Demonstrated ability to successfully coordinate and organize multiple complex work activities, document & present results, and manage resources.
Demonstrated ability to execute development activities with evolving requirements in a fast-paced/schedule‑driven environment.
A basic understanding of how neutron generators function and familiarity with the methods used in manufacturing.
Experience with component environmental testing (radiation, thermal, shock & vibe), qualification processes, and surveillance activities.
Ability to collaborate with team members of diverse backgrounds for mutual mission success.
Experience with a variety of partners/customers, ranging from production, neutron tube component engineers, ferroelectric power supply designers (active ceramics, explosive component design), systems engineers, and advanced and exploratory personnel.
About Our 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.
Posting Duration:
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.
Security Clearance:
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.
EEO:
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.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:
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.
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