Cleared Senior/Principal R&D Systems Engineer - W76-0 Weapon System Lead, Onsite

Sandia Corporation•Albuquerque, NM

41d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated R&D Systems Engineer to serve as the Weapon System Lead (WSL) for the W76-0 Weapon System Team. The successful candidate will gain in-depth knowledge of the W76-0 nuclear weapon components, subsystems, and systems, with opportunities to engage broadly across the Nuclear Weapons community. In this unique leadership role, the successful candidate will have broad authority to manage a range of engineering projects while serving as the technical expert for the weapon system. This includes designing test configurations, planning and coordinating tests, system integration, modeling and simulation, conducting large-scale system tests, surveillance, and annual assessment activities. On any given day, you may be called upon to: Serve as the SNL system integrator, facilitating communication and coordination between SNL internal partners and external stakeholders to ensure the success of the W76-0 program. Collaborate closely with the W76-0 department manager to define and execute daily activities and priorities. Present technical and programmatic updates to SNL leadership and external partners. Direct assessment activities to support the annual assessment report, Lab Director's Letter, and Lab Director Briefing. Provide leadership in resolving technical trades ensuring continuous program progress. Coordinate with project management personnel to develop schedules, budgets, and project plans. Partner with peer stakeholder leaders to negotiate requirements, deliverables, and risks. Manage the roles, responsibilities, and deliverables of the technical team. Work with team members, especially the Technical Basis Realization Team (TBRT) Lead, to define, plan, and execute test activities. Communicate status, issues, and concerns to various levels of management. Lead research and development conceptual system trade studies. Apply systems engineering principles to research, design, and develop experiments, processes, and technologies. Lead anomaly resolution teams through root cause analysis and trade space options to champion a path forward. Mentor system and other Sandia staff members through formal and informal methods. Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. The role will require occasional travel (up to 25% of the time).

Requirements

A bachelor¿s 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 DOE Q clearance or equivalent with the ability to participate in random polygraph testing, as requested.

Nice To Haves

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), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) 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.
Experience in a leadership role managing technical and programmatic responsibilities.
Self-motivated and positive individual comfortable in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to integrate and work effectively across multiple technical teams and with management.
Experience using engineering principles to conduct trade studies for system solutions.
Experience with test instrumentation, test plans, and defining test objectives and methods.
Knowledge and understanding of Nuclear Weapon Systems.
Familiarity with SNL drawing and authorization systems, product development and qualification, testing and evaluation, modeling, and simulation.

Responsibilities

Serve as the SNL system integrator, facilitating communication and coordination between SNL internal partners and external stakeholders to ensure the success of the W76-0 program.
Collaborate closely with the W76-0 department manager to define and execute daily activities and priorities.
Present technical and programmatic updates to SNL leadership and external partners.
Direct assessment activities to support the annual assessment report, Lab Director's Letter, and Lab Director Briefing.
Provide leadership in resolving technical trades ensuring continuous program progress.
Coordinate with project management personnel to develop schedules, budgets, and project plans.
Partner with peer stakeholder leaders to negotiate requirements, deliverables, and risks.
Manage the roles, responsibilities, and deliverables of the technical team.
Work with team members, especially the Technical Basis Realization Team (TBRT) Lead, to define, plan, and execute test activities.
Communicate status, issues, and concerns to various levels of management.
Lead research and development conceptual system trade studies.
Apply systems engineering principles to research, design, and develop experiments, processes, and technologies.
Lead anomaly resolution teams through root cause analysis and trade space options to champion a path forward.
Mentor system and other Sandia staff members through formal and informal methods.