Senior/Principal Embedded Software Engineer - Advanced RF Systems, Onsite

About Sandia

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:

• 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 401(k), 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:

*These benefits vary by job classification.*

What Your Job Will Be Like

Our team is seeking a highly motivated Computer Science/Software Engineer. Your primary focus will be to implement the software processing in specialized RF communications systems for National Security applications. Projects range from very urgent, quick reaction requests in response to real‑world driven needs to longer term, life‑critical efforts with rigorous development requirements. You will become a member of a multi‑discipline, success oriented high‑performance team.

Our special communication systems include highly optimized, ultra‑low DC power, size‑embedded RF receiver/transmitter tag designs, as well as groundbreaking signal processing RF interrogators. These systems are deployed as battery‑powered field sensors, small satellite payloads, as well as manned and unmanned aircraft (UAV/UAS) applications. Projects range from fast‑paced, quick‑reaction requests in response to real‑world needs to longer‑term, life‑critical efforts with rigorous development and quality requirements. You will be part of a multi‑disciplinary, success‑oriented high‑performance team, with occasional travel required.

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

• Develop new and contribute to existing software code bases using standard methodologies.
• Find innovative ways to enhance our processes and products.
• Contribute to improvement of development processes and techniques.
• Assist project leads with schedule estimates based on current backlog of tasks.
• Gain and maintain a big picture awareness to help guide technical direction.
• Develop test/acceptance procedures and document design definition.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. Relocation will be provided for those that qualify.

Applicants on this requisition may be interviewed by multiple organizations at Sandia National Laboratories.

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 development.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE Q clearance and SCI clearance, which may require a polygraph.

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal R&D Computer Science candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Computer Science or a highly related field with extensive programming experience.
• 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.
• Active DOE Q or DOD TS security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain an SCI.

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

• Eight (8) or more years' experience with systems level programming using C/C++
• Strong organizational skills and experience with agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban
• Excellent working knowledge of Git and related branching models
• Extensive experience with Realtime Operating Systems (RTOS) and bare metal programming
• Track record of continuous improvement and strong leadership skills to see it implemented
• Interest in other languages like Rust and Go
• Experience using GPUs to implement DSP algorithms
• Experience working with embedded systems
• Experience with automation and CI/CD, particularly Ansible and Gitlab CI
• Experience writing unit tests that integrate into the CI pipeline
• Knowledge of general test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, DVM, logic analyzers) and RF test equipment (network analyzer, spectrum analyzer)
• Knowledge of RF, Digital Communications, radar, and/or EW systems and principles
• Ability to work effectively on both small and large development teams (two-to-eight members)
• Motivated by working with a highly successful, dynamic project team delivering systems that impact our National Security.

About Our Team

The RF & Systems Electronics Center (Center 5300) provides key electronics systems work to a wide variety of nuclear weapons, space, intelligence and military programs across Sandia and the Nation. The Strategic RF and Electronic Systems group (5370) supports the Nation's technology superiority strategies by delivering capabilities for RF & spectral dominance, global highly-reliable communications, and novel advancements for future strength. We are a highly dynamic set of departments that cross‑team to provide integrated engineering systems solutions ranging from core research through prototype development and high‑end, fielded products.

Our team strives to Develop terrestrial, airborne, and space based special communications systems for use in surveillance and reconnaissance, Tagging Tracking and Locating (TTL), and the relay/detection/characterization of RF signals in challenging environments. Our customers include a variety of government organizations including the Intelligence Community and those conducting special operations missions. Our staff members have a diverse skills base including microwave circuit design, antenna design, signal analysis, digital signal processing, embedded software, space systems, and digital FPGA designs. Applications include long and short‑range communications and transponder systems, typically utilizing ultra‑low power signaling techniques. Our design challenges include highly miniaturized electronics, low‑power transceivers, signal extraction in very low signal-to‑noise environments, and signal analysis of RF and communication systems.

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

Sandia is required by DOE 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 obtain and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance and SCI access, both of which require US citizenship. SCI access may also require a polygraph examination. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain these levels of access 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 the 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.