Job Description

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 vacations, 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 skilled and experienced R&D Systems Engineer to join the Sandia National Laboratories Accident Response Group (ARG) as a nuclear weapons expert and technical advisor. As an integral member of the ARG department, you will play a crucial role in training, responding, providing technical expertise, and deploying to US Nuclear Weapons accidents or incidents. Your expertise and knowledge will contribute to the planning and preparedness for a rapid and effective resolution of nuclear weapons-related emergencies, ensuring the safety and security of our nation.

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

• Serve as a nuclear weapons expert and technical advisor within the Accident Response Group (ARG).
• Collaborate closely with the NNSA Office of Defense Programs (NA10), NNSA Office of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation (NA80) and DoD, working alongside scientists, technical specialists, and crisis managers from across the NSE.
• Participate actively in the technical planning of the drills and exercises for the ARG to include the annual interagency Nuclear Weapon Accident Incident Exercise (NUWAIX) to practice a whole-of-government response to nuclear accidents and incidents.
• Provide technical guidance and support to ensure the safe handling, assessment, and resolution of nuclear weapons-related emergencies.
• Utilize your extensive experience with US Nuclear Weapons, including working with Systems Groups, Product Realization Teams (PRT) for a Major Component (MC), Nuclear Safety or Assessment organizations.
• Demonstrate expertise in abnormal systems response and a deep understanding of the safety architecture of nuclear weapons.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM. Travel is required for this position (up to 50%).

Salary Range:

$127,900 - $217,400

*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 Engineering, Physics, or a related STEM field, plus five (5) years of experience; OR Master’s degree in stated field, plus one (1) years of experience.
• Active DOE Q-Level security clearance or equivalent (DOD Top Secret), with ability to obtain and maintain Sigma 14 and Sigma 15, or additional security read-in’s, which may include random polygraphs.
• Direct working experience and expertise in US Nuclear Weapons. Some applicable examples include - history with Systems Groups, member of Product Realization Team for a Major Component, Nuclear Safety or Assessment organizations.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to think critically under pressure.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work closely with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications We Desire:

• Bachelor\'s degree in above stated field, plus eight (8) years of experience; OR Master’s degree in stated field, plus four (4) years of experience.
• Proven experience in responding to and resolving nuclear weapons requests for information, unsatisfactory reports, and/or SFN/SFIs.
• Experience supporting Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) assets is highly desired.
• Familiarity with the NNSA Office of Defense Programs, NNSA Office of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation, or DoD/EOD operations.
• Strong knowledge of abnormal systems response and safety architecture of nuclear weapons.
• Ability to become an ARG responder.

About Our Team:

The SNL Accident Response Group (ARG) and Legacy Hardware Laboratory (LHL) department (07231) was formed in June 2021. The combination of these two entities provided synergy between the current enduring stockpile and the legacy stockpile of the past. The SNL ARG manages work authorized by the Office of Nuclear Incident Response (NA-84). The ARG is a multi-site group that responds to accidents or incidents involving a damaged US Nuclear Weapon. This team provides leadership in developing incident and accident scenarios that are then used to exercise and assess the international, national, and local resources should a real-world event occur. The LHL has several missions with the primary mission being Weapons Dismantlement and Disposition work authorized by the Office of Stockpile Management (NA-12). The LHL dispositions some of the most challenging pieces of hardware from the Legacy stockpile production where often, the original drawings and specifications are no longer available. The LHL also conducts Education and Training for a myriad of stakeholder groups.

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:

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.

Job ID: 693675

Job Family: RD

Regular/Temporary Position: R

Full/Part-Time Status: F