Experienced, R&D Systems Engineer - 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 401k, 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

Microsystems Engineering, Science and Applications (MESA) is seeking an experienced R&D Systems Engineer to serve on the MESA Extended Life Program (MELP) team to support the maturation of the $50M/year portfolio. Successful execution of the program depends on effective project execution for tools and equipment (T&E) and facilities and infrastructure (F&I) projects, led by principal investigators (PI) and design/install subject matter experts. The selected candidate will serve as a PI, requiring close partnership with cross-functional areas both internal and external to Sandia.


The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership qualities including integrity, accountability, adaptability, and collaboration. They will possess a solid engineering background combined with proven project management and systems engineering skills, with the ability to balance tactical execution and strategic planning. Exceptional communication skills are essential to effectively engage and build trust with diverse technical disciplines and stakeholders across the organization.


On any given day, you might be called on to:

• Use engineering principles to understand complex systems, gather data, implement processes, and solve problems
• Support the layout, design, construction, and installation of tools and equipment for current and future operations through project management
• Partner with various technical disciplines and stakeholders to accurately understand, develop, and execute installation and utility requirements
• Communicate transparently and effectively with the MELP team, facilities partners, and MESA operations throughout project lifecycles
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, safety, and extreme ownership
• Communicate (written and/or verbal) with various Program Management offices and NNSA

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

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal R&D S&E System 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
• National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory, 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:

• Experience in microsystems and/or production equipment, facilities, infrastructure, and processes
• Experience in manufacturing environments, including semiconductor, microsystems, or other high-volume production settings; with familiarity in cleanroom requirements, protocols, or applied systems engineering principles
• Proven experience with design, installation, and utility requirements for tools and equipment in semiconductor, microsystems, manufacturing, or other production environments
• Strong critical thinking skills with demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, evaluate risks, and develop effective solutions
• Demonstrated expertise in project management, including estimation, scoping, scheduling, risk-based prioritization, and stakeholder engagement
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely with a wide range of technical disciplines and stakeholders, adapting communication style as needed
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams, employing situational leadership and fostering empowerment
• Proficiency or demonstrated ability to quickly become proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Teams, Visio, PowerPoint) and collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Confluence
• Commitment to safety, ethical decision-making, transparency, and customer-focused mission delivery

About Our Team

Department 5291, MESA Extended Life Program, is responsible for the successful execution of the MESA Extended Life Program (MELPP). This is contingent upon securing resources and implementing procedures to establish rigor, ensure funding, appropriately plan investments, and carefully execute projects. The $50M/year project requires a team of key talent to coordinate investments based on aging tool and infrastructure risk, align facilities work schedules with fab operations (limiting disruption to production), and integrate with MESA R&D and production partners to minimize risk and maximize impact (efficiency). Identifying key contributors and resources to support them is critical today to meet our commitments and the expectations of our customers and partners.

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, 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.