Postdoctoral Appointee - Robotics/Automation for Uncrewed Systems and Autonomy R&D, 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:

• 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 vacation, 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.

We are seeking a POSTDOCTORAL APPOINTEE to join our dynamic team as a postdoctoral candidate to help us solve some of the most significant modern day technical challenges in national security. The successful Postdoctoral appointee will lead and support the development of novel solutions for robotic, electromechanical, uncrewed and/or automated/autonomous systems for projects in a fast-paced team environment. Responsibilities will span the breadth of R&D from applied research to the development and delivery of operational systems.

On any given day you may be called on to:

• Develop novel algorithms for autonomous perception, planning, and action for the control of various mechatronic systems
• Perform data analysis and algorithm development for advanced manufacturing and automation challenges to include fabrication, materials development, assembly, inspection and certification
• Develop and field novel robots, actuators, and autonomous control systems
• Work as part of multidisciplinary science and engineering teams doing cutting edge research and technology development to support the nation's security needs
• Execute technical work with excellence to include participating in the development of competitive funding proposals, and publishing results in peer reviewed journals

Due to the nature of this work the selected candidate must be able to work onsite.

• PhD acquired within the last 5 years in or related to Robotics /Mechanical / Electrical / Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or similar, with a focus on automation, autonomy, and/or robotic systems
• Experience developing software algorithms and/or applications and/or development and realization of hardware
• Algorithm development or programming experience with one or more of the following: C, C++, Matlab, Python or similar languages
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-Clearance

• Experience developing and implementing challenging engineering solutions for end users, including experience with designing and integrating mechatronic hardware/software systems
• Strong software development fundamentals, including one or more of the following:
  • Languages: Python and C++
  • Experience with Git workflows
  • Experience with Docker environments
  • Familiarity with ROS and/or ROS2
• Experience with optical sensing
  • Experience with fiducial generation and detection algorithms (e.g. for Apriltags, QR-codes, or similar)
  • Understanding of camera calibration, image registration, image manipulation, and image processing
• Experience implementing advanced multi-sensor perception system
• Experience with multi-object control and/or tracking algorithms
• Training and/or developing machine learning algorithms for object classification, target recognition, and anomaly detection and characterization
• Experience with reinforcement learning for control of robotic systems or for multi-agent coordination
• Experience with communication protocols (e.g., I2C, SPI, TCP/IP, EtherCAT) and physical layers (Wired, RF, Optical)
• Dynamic systems modeling and/or optimization

Organization 6565 Uncrewed Systems and Autonomy R&D specializes in robotics, advanced manufacturing automation, advanced controls, miniature mechatronic design and fabrication, electronics, human/machine interface and teaming, sensor systems, and computer vision systems. The department conducts both applied research and applications development of robotic systems resulting in numerous patents, papers, and deployed systems. The department conducts research, development, and application projects for a variety of customers, both internal to Sandia and across the national security establishment. The department also collaborates heavily with internal and external partners. The department is one of five in the Critical Asset Security for ND Group within the Weapon and Force Protection Center, and we partner across nearly all program areas at Sandia.

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 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 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.

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.

Individuals in postdoctoral 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.