R&D, W87-1 Systems Engineer (Experienced)
Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque, USA
Job posting number: #7183764 (Ref:Sa691736)
Posted: September 30, 2023
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
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:
The W87-1 System team is at the forefront of a program to modernize the W87-1, a replacement for the W78 warhead. Plans call for fielding the W87-1 on the Department of Defense's (DoDs) new United States Air Force (USAF) Sentinel missile within the Mk21A Reentry Vehicle (RV), two major USAF acquisition programs in concurrent development with the W87-1.
We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated W87-1 Weapon System Engineer (Job Title R&D S&E Systems Engineer). In this role, you will be part of a team focused on component realization for W87-1 warhead. You will also be a key member of the W87-1 Systems team. You will be responsible for interfacing with component Product Realization Teams (PRT) and will serve as the primary liaison between the W87-1 Systems team and PRTs. Furthermore, you may be asked to support other aspects of the program (e.g., System Test & Qualification, Mechanical & Electrical Design Teams, Requirements, DoD Integration, etc) depends on your relevant skills and needs on the program. Our team partners across the laboratories with the W87-1 systems organizations in New Mexico and California, component organizations, and testing and analysis organizations. The department also teams with external Nuclear Security Enterprise sites and customers including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), the Kansas City National Security Complex (KCNSC), Pantex, and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Near term deliverables for the selected candidate include engaging with PRTs to complete upcoming goals such as component Conceptual Design Reviews (CDR) and first development build execution. The selected candidate should have excellent communication skills and be familiar with foundational system engineering principals.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
+ Manage system requirements and derive requirements for component compatibility documents (CD).
+ Collaborate frequently with other Weapon System Engineers (WSE) on complex and multi-faceted technical problems.
+ Work together with WSEs and component engineers and provide technical mentorship on system engineering principals.
+ Engage with and enable component PRTs to facilitate completion of program milestones (e.g., program design reviews, requirement document releases, and product definition releases).
+ Provide technical guidance to PRTs to advance technology readiness levels (TRLs) and manufacturing readiness levels (MRLs) for their given product.
+ Collaborate regularly with the program’s leadership and Sandia’s executive management on metrics and burn down plans.
+ Prepare for and present to diverse audiences at technical design reviews and programmatic meetings.
+ Provide support to one or more W87-1 systems teams depending on the need and your relevant skills. These include, but are not limited to: System Test & Qualification, Mechanical & Electrical Design Teams, Requirements, DoD Integration, etc.
+ Attend technical meetings with the mechanical, electrical and qualification teams.
+ Assist in integration activities with various teams and PRTs.
+ Represent Sandia on multi-organizational project teams (i.e., NNSA, DoD, LLNL, SNL).
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM. Some travel may be required for this position
Qualifications We Require:
+ Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or relevant engineering discipline, plus four (4) years of experience; OR Bachelor’s degree in stated field, plus eight (8) years of experience; OR equivalent related experience and/or achievements that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development (in lieu of degree).
+ Working knowledge of Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) processes and procedures for product realization.
+ Experience working with NNSA and associated laboratories and other DOE partners.
+ Experience working on nuclear weapons design, qualification, production, or related projects.
+ Experience with system engineering concepts and principles.
+ Proven ability to develop and lead large, cross-organization, multidisciplinary teams.
+ Active U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance (or DOD equivalent).
Qualifications We Desire:
+ Strong knowledge of capabilities at Sandia and within Nuclear Security Enterprise partners.
+ Recent experience working on a nuclear deterrence modernization program.
+ Demonstrated experience developing and implementing system engineering processes.
+ Demonstrated experience effectively networking and partnering with organizations both inside and external to Sandia.
+ Ability to represent Sandia to external customers.
+ Experience with model-based definition (MBD) and/or model-based systems engineering (MBSE).
+ Demonstrated commitment to value diversity and inclusion among the workforce.
+ Experience with Phase 6.X NSE program execution.
+ Outstanding verbal and written skills, including the ability to build and present briefings that are clear and compelling to large and diverse audiences.
+ Ability to take initiative and be a self-starter in an ambiguous environment.
About Our Team:
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 recently completed the Conceptual Design Review & Gate phase of the program and has entered full scale engineering development.
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: 691736
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.