Senior/Principal R&D Materials Science - Radiation Effects Research, Onsite

Senior/Principal R&D Materials Science - Radiation Effects Research, 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: 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, including 9/80, 4/10 compressed workweeks, part‑time work, and telecommuting; generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance.

What Your Job Will Be Like

We are seeking a material scientist, engineer, or physicist eager to develop expertise in radiation/matter interactions, conduct experiments in radiation effects in materials and lead radiation‑environment qualification activities for materials, components, and systems. You will work in a collaborative environment with a diverse team.

On any given day, you may be called on to: propose, design, execute, analyze, and report on experiments at flagship national test facilities, such as the Z Machine (Sandia National Laboratories) and National Ignition Facility (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) and other specialized test facilities.

Experiments may range from fundamental investigations into the behavior of materials in radiation environments to the response of components at higher levels of product integration to meet technical and programmatic objectives for a variety of customers.

Team with other specialists, including those in computational modeling and simulation, advanced materials, and test instrumentation to plan experiments, analyze results, and present new insights, observations, or qualification evidence.

Join multidisciplinary teams to develop and qualify new technologies and components for the nuclear weapons stockpile.

Some travel will be required, for experiments, project meetings, and conferences. Due to the nature of the work, the selected 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

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 experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and ability to perform independent research and development.

The ability to obtain and maintain DOE Q clearance.

Qualifications We Desire

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

Graduate degree in Material Science or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).

Experience in a research and development environment.

Experience with materials characterization techniques.

Experience working on teams consisting of multidisciplinary and multi‑disciplinary experimentalists, modelers, and theorists with a common goal.

Effective interpersonal skills for giving presentations, preparing reports, writing articles, and explaining the important aspects of technical work to customers.

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

PhD in Materials Science or STEM related field.

Experience analyzing and presenting scientific results as demonstrated through conference presentation and/or peer‑reviewed publication of results.

Experience interrogating radiation effects phenomena, materials in extreme environments, or product environmental testing.

Knowledge of the interaction of radiation with matter.

Experience translating product requirements into test specifications or working with product development teams.

Experience conducting experiments at radiation facilities (x‑ray, gamma, or neutron).

Experience collaborating with others to model experiments or material environmental responses.

Experience developing research ideas, submitting proposals, establishing collaborations, organizing research teams and/or reporting progress to sponsors.

Experience in project management or participating in research teams.

About Our Team

The Radiation Effects Research team is dedicated to research and development focused on intense radiation environments. Our scope includes studying radiation effects from nuclear detonations (such as X‑rays, gamma rays, neutrons, and electromagnetic pulses), as well as natural and enhanced space environments and in‑situ radiation. Our research encompasses radiation effects in electronics, materials, and accelerator technologies.

We conduct active research in advanced materials, focusing on the response of materials and components to intense X‑rays. This includes studying thermal, structural, shock, and impulse responses. Additionally, we develop advanced experimental diagnostics and accelerator technology to enhance the characterization and production of radiation environments.

Topical Areas of Research

X‑ray and E‑Beam environments and diagnostics – Advanced materials – Devices – Systems.

Our team supports Sandia’s Nuclear Deterrence and Satellite programs, and we participate in the development of new technologies and capabilities for a variety of programs. Our activities include conducting hostile radiation qualification tests at the system, component, and device levels, as well as performing physics discovery and basic research experiments.

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, 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, veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.