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Senior/Principal W76-1/-2 Weapon Systems Engineer, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories
401(k), relocation assistance
United States, New Mexico, Albuquerque
1515 Eubank Boulevard Southeast (Show on map)
Apr 22, 2025

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: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a highly motivated Systems Engineer to join the W76-1/-2 Weapon System Team. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead and manage a range of engineering projects including designing test configurations, test planning and coordination, system integration, production planning and support, modeling and simulation, large-scale system tests, and annual assessment activities. There will also be opportunities to participate in or lead aspects of the Performance Evaluation Test Unit (PETU) program. The PETU program is designed to repeat select qualification tests, with field-aged hardware to understand aging concerns, performance margins, and to explore emerging issues. This position requires close coordination with the teams across the W76-1/-2 family of systems including stockpile sustainment and fast-paced development programs (JTA3, Mk4B, ALT 939, and D5LE2).

On any given day, a W76-1/-2 Systems Engineer may be called on to:



  • Lead test planning activities, coordinate with test facilities, and execute large scale system-level qualification and surveillance tests.

  • Be able to prioritize testing efforts appropriately to meet System Surveillance needs and assess knowledge gaps.

  • Partner with SNL Surveillance and work with other design and production agencies to establish interfaces, integration plans, and to ensure smooth test execution.

  • Be capable of working with a range of personalities and work styles.

  • Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and domain specialists to successfully address anomalies and resolve system related issues.

  • Author test reports and brief SNL management and customers on the status of the weapon program and as part of the Annual Assessment process.

  • Use engineering principles to conduct trade studies to identify system solutions.

  • Partner with modeling and simulation teams to engage SMEs and direct work appropriately.

  • Interface with system and component surveillance engineering teams to direct and facilitate PETU component material evaluation (CME) efforts.

  • Be called upon to peer review design efforts and concepts across the Labs.

    The successful candidate will become intimately familiar with the detailed function of W76-1/-2 nuclear weapon components, subsystems, and systems, and gain a breadth of knowledge across all phases of the product realization lifecycle. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to exercise investigative freedom in engaging the broad Nuclear Weapons community.

    Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM. Some travel is required for this position (up to 25%).



Salary Range:

$114,000 - $227,500

*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:



  • Master's degree in Engineering, Applied Mathematics , or a relevant STEM field, plus one (1) year of experience; OR Bachelor's degree in stated field, plus five (5) years of experience; OR equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance and Sigma 15 access, which may require polygraphy testing.



Qualifications We Desire:



  • Active DOE L or Q clearance or DOD equivalent (i.e., Secret or Top Secret clearance).

  • Knowledge and understanding of nuclear weapon systems including a fundamental understanding of nuclear surety principles.

  • Self-motivated, positive individual comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

  • Ability to integrate into and work effectively across multiple technical teams and with management.

  • Experience using engineering principles to conduct trade studies to identify system solutions.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver presentations to customers and various levels of management.

  • Experience with test instrumentation, test planning, as well as defining test objectives and methods.

  • Familiarity with SNL test facilities (i.e. Lightning facility, ACRR, Hermes, Saturn, Shock/Vibe Lab, etc.) and experience coordinating with them.

  • Experience building test bodies and/or familiarity with creating procedures for building test artifacts.

  • Familiarity with SNL drawing and authorization system, product development and qualification, testing and evaluation, modeling, and simulation.

  • Experience working with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), DoD customers, DoD contractors, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), and Pantex.



About Our Team:

Department 2222 has responsibility for the W76-0/-1/-2 nuclear weapon stockpile and the suite of activities that support annual assessment, surveillance, lifetime planning and associated development of the weapon systems. In addition to established stockpile work there are a multitude of development and qualification projects on which we partner closely, including the JTA3, Mk4B, ALT939 Integrated Surety Architecture, and D5LE2 programs. Production activities in several areas continue at KCNSC and require frequent communication. Additionally, 2222 leads the development of testers and operational activities for hardware and provides engineering leadership for all W76-0/-1/-2 test body assembly and disassembly activities. Our department is also the interface with test and computational simulation organizations across the Labs and provides management of schedule and budget associated with executing the annual assessment process, on behalf of NNSA and our Navy customers.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) 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.

Job ID: 695487

Job Family: RD

Regular/Temporary Position: R

Full/Part-Time Status: F

Applied = 0

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