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.

Sandia demonstrates its commitment to public safety in the national interest by requiring that all new hires be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical or religious accommodation before commencing employment. The requirement also applies to those who are telecommuting and working virtually.

Any concerns about the ability to meet this requirement should be directed to HR Solutions at (505) 284-4700.

Sandia’s Lethality and Threat department (05417), is currently seeking an experienced R&D Analyst and Project Lead to provide technical and project management support for multiple DOE and DoD programs. The selected candidate will apply theories, laws, and methods across a range of scientific and engineering fields to develop or demonstrate new designs, concepts, materials, products, processes, or systems. Computational simulation, analysis, and evaluation are expected activities of development, and candidates will plan, conduct, and implement Sandia science and engineering programs within the spectrum of fundamental research, development, and/or demonstration.

The successful candidate will apply integrated technical judgment to anticipate, innovate, and deliver solutions to Sandia National Laboratories missions. They will also use the scientific method to recognize and define problems as well as formulating and testing various hypotheses. Their work should be based in the fundamentals of science and engineering while applying a deep understanding of engineering and scientific principles.

On any given day, one may be called upon to:

• Perform analysis and subject matter expertise (SME) support across a range of applications involving shock physics, hydro-structural interactions, high-rate structural mechanics, and lethality/vulnerability evaluations
• Provide programmatic/technical leadership for departmental efforts across the full range of program management, including tracking cost, schedule, and handling direct interactions with customers
• Develop and implement novel scientific and engineering test and analysis approaches to address technical needs associated with the national defense

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a relevant STEM field, plus 5 years related experience in one or more of the following technical areas: shock physics analysis and/or testing, hydro-structural analysis, non-linear solid mechanics, or lethality engineering; or a Master's degree in above plus 1 year related experience
• An active DOE L-level security clearance; or other equivalent active security clearance such as DOD Secret
• The ability to acquire and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance

• Experience in performing analysis using first principles physics-based shock physics or finite element analysis codes such as CTH, PRESTO, and ZAPOTEC, or similar non-Sandia codes; experience in code development for these applications is also desirable
• Experience in project management; task management and leadership, direct interaction with customers to plan and implement projects, and track associated metrics, including schedule, cost, and project deliverables
• Experience working directly with DoD customers, ideally the Missile Defense Agency, and a solid understanding of MDA’s Missile Defense System
• Experience with fast running engineering lethality codes such as  AFTES, BALAGAN, AJEM, ETB, or JTCG/ME weaponeering products
• Knowledge and experience with nuclear weapons, reentry vehicle structures and materials, conventional munitions/penetrators, high explosives, and weapon effects
• Experience using MATLAB, Fortran, python, or other programming language to develop post-processing tools for first principles analysis code results
• Experience in large-scale, parallel computing for analysis
• Strong presentation abilities
• The ability to work successfully in a team environment
• An active DOE Q-level security clearance; or other equivalent active security clearance such as DOD Top Secret

Sandia National Laboratories Lethality and Threat organization plays a key role in supporting the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) technically and programmatically across both the Lethality and Threat mission spaces. The department also supports multiple DOE and DoD customers in support of national security using our advanced solid mechanics, coupled hydro-structural, and shock physics analysis capabilities. The organization is a key member of the Missile Defense Agency’s Corporate Lethality Program and provides technical support with an emphasis on using first principles computational tools for the development and evaluation of lethality/vulnerability criteria for target reentry vehicles, assessment, and characterization of post-intercept debris and associated signatures for target typing and kill assessment, hypersonic defense lethality, as well as other missile defense related applications. The department also supports MDA’s Threat Engineering efforts by reaching across the intelligence community and laboratory to engage experts across a wide range of technical areas including Computed Aided Drafting (CAD), Coupled Aero-thermal analysis, Trajectory analysis, and other specialized areas to develop comprehensive threat packages.

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.

Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) L security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD).

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 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 DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.