Job Description

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. 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. What Your Job Will Be Like: We are seeking a dedicated Postdoctoral Appointee to lead and support the development of novel solutions for robotic, electromechanical, uncrewed and/or autonomous systems for projects in a fast-paced team environment! The selected candidate will span the breadth of R&D from basic research to applied development with operational result requirements. On any given day, you may be called on to: + Development of algorithms for autonomous perception and control. + Development of perception and decision-making engines via machine learning or other artificial intelligence methods. + Write real-time code to implement control algorithms. + Develop novel robotic and mechatronic systems in a variety of scales from micro/miniature to large. + Develop custom embedded electronic devices. + Develop and deploy algorithms for autonomous vehicle navigation, tracking, and other applications. + Develop and implement sensors suitable for use in unmanned systems. + Conduct field tests to evaluate system performance. Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. Qualifications We Require: + PhD in Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics or relevant field. + Experience in one or more of the following: + Algorithm implementation or programming experience (C, C++, Matlab, Python or similar languages) + Developing and implementing heuristic, optimization based, or machine-learning based autonomous perception, object recognition or decision-making systems. + Developing and implementing novel mechatronic systems. + Developing models, state equations, and/or control algorithms for dynamic systems + Implementing control algorithms on mechatronic hardware + Developing robotic, unmanned, or autonomous systems + Developing and testing of electric or electronic systems + Ability to obtain and maintain DOE L-level security clearance. Qualifications We Desire: + Strong preference for degree focus on robotics, unmanned systems, automation, autonomy, or control systems. + Experience with some of the following: + Estimation systems. + Navigation, localization and mapping algorithms. + Development of distributed, networked control systems. + Electromechanical system integration. + Human-machine interaction. + Operating system and simulation environments (ROS, Motion Genesis, or similar). + Biomechanical or ergonomic testing on human subjects + Practical control systems (managing I/O, interfaces, etc.) + Development of novel algorithms, including machine learning, for control. + Development of advanced multi-sensor perception systems. + Optimization methods. + Design and integration of robotic systems. + Modeling and control of dynamic systems, especially robotics or other multi-body systems + Design and integration of mechatronic or electronic systems (i.e., microcontrollers, FPGAs, ideally with hardware in the loop). + Design and testing of wearable robotic or other ergonomic systems. About Our Team: Our Unmanned Systems & Autonomy R&D Department specializes in autonomous operations of uncrewed systems, advanced controls, miniature mechanical design and fabrication, advanced drive system development, and the human/machine interface. We advance security by providing next generation remote systems and autonomy solutions. We have established leadership in this field through capabilities such as active, autonomous perception, distributed control of heterogeneous systems, real-time control of dynamic systems, miniature mechatronic design and fabrication, and advanced human-machine interface R&D. With innovative facilities and the creation of a formal UAS Aviation Operations Unit (UAOU), which coordinates all UAS work across Sandia, we are using subject matter experience in uncrewed systems R&D to design and deploy systems to address critical national security challenges. The department conducts numerous active research, development and application projects for a variety of customers, both internal to Sandia and across the national security establishment, and collaborates heavily with partners across Sandia. The department is one of five in the Autonomy and Unmanned Systems Group within the Weapon and Force Protection Center.

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.

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 L-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 the 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. Position Information: This Limited Term Employee (LTE) position is a temporary position for one year term, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to a maximum of seven years. Individuals in LTE positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance. Job ID: 687903