Cleared Senior/Principal Weapon System Engineer - W87-1 Modernization Lead, 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:

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• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

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We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated W87-1 Weapon System Engineer to join our team focused on the modernization of the W87-1 warhead, which will replace the W78. This role involves fielding the W87-1 on the Department of Defense's (DoD) new USAF Sentinel missile within the Mk21A Reentry Vehicle (RV), as part of concurrent acquisition programs.

As a key member of the W87-1 Systems team, you will collaborate with organizations in New Mexico and California, as well as external partners, including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), the Kansas City National Security Complex (KCNSC), Pantex, and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Near-term deliverables will include engaging with Product Realization Teams (PRTs) to complete component Baseline Design Reviews (BDR) and executing the second development build.

On any given day, you may be expected to:

• Serve as the primary liaison between the W87-1 Systems team and component Product Realization Teams (PRTs), facilitating completion of program milestones (e.g., design reviews and hardware deliveries).
• Support various aspects of the program, including System Test & Qualification, Mechanical & Electrical Design Teams, Requirements, and DoD Integration.
• Manage system requirements and component verification activities.
• Collaborate with other Weapon System Engineers (WSE) and component engineers on complex technical problems, providing mentorship on system engineering principles.
• Provide technical guidance to PRTs to advance technology readiness levels (TRLs) and manufacturing readiness levels (MRLs).
• Collaborate with program leadership and Sandias executive management on metrics and burn down plans.
• Prepare for and present to diverse audiences at technical design reviews and programmatic meetings.
• Attend technical meetings with mechanical, electrical, and qualification teams.
• Assist in integration activities with various teams and PRTs.
• Represent Sandia on multi-organizational project teams (e.g., NNSA, DoD, LLNL, SNL).

Due to the nature of the work, the selected participant must be able to work onsite.

$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.

• A bachelors 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.
• Active U.S. DOE Q-level clearance or equivalent.

The ideal R&D Systems 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 Laboratory (LLNL) 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:

• Working knowledge of Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) processes and procedures for product realization.
• Proven ability to develop and lead large, cross-organization, multidisciplinary teams.
• Recent experience working on a nuclear deterrence modernization program.
• Demonstrated experience effectively networking and partnering with organizations both inside and external to Sandia.
• Experience with model-based definition (MBD) and/or model-based systems engineering (MBSE).
• Experience with Phase 6.X NSE program execution
• Ability to take initiative and be a self-starter in an ambiguous environment.

The W87-1 System Engineering Departments at SNL/CA and SNL/NM are jointly responsible for the W87-1 Modification Program. These departments are part of the Nuclear Deterrence Systems Engineering Centers, which are responsible for assuring the safety, reliability, and security of U.S. nuclear weapons, enabling the defense of our nation through our nuclear strategic deterrent. The departments are comprised of a group of dedicated and motivated engineers, many with advanced technical degrees. A major effort for these organizations is the engineering design, development, and qualification in support of the W87-1 Modification Program, which is currently preparing for the system Baseline Design Review & Gate and has entered full scale engineering development.

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.

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.

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.

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.