Senior/Principal Electromechanical Technologist - RF Signatures, 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.

The Weaponization and Geophysics R&D Team is seeking a highly motivated electromechanical Technologist to develop, build, operate, and maintain a variety of radio frequency (RF) electronic equipment designed to be deployed both locally and at remote locations in support of field-testing campaigns. Field campaigns are an integral part of the job and will require travel for multiple weeks over the course of the year to remote locations.

The candidate will be encouraged to meet changing priorities in support of the team. The technologist will work in an advanced laboratory with challenging and evolving projects. The technologist must have a commitment to investigative problem solving and a strong desire to learn. Attention to detail, critical thinking, good lab practices, and awareness for lab safety are highly valued attributes of the successful candidate.

Work in collaboration with technical staff and customers to determine objectives, communicate progress, and assure that deliverables are met. The Technologist will be encouraged to gain mastery over the maintenance and operation of a range of experimental equipment including electronic instruments such as antennas, oscilloscopes, custom-designed RF systems, and National Instruments equipment.

Much of the work will occur as part of a team of scientists and engineers. Proven track record of collaborating as part of a team is a key attribute needed to succeed. There will be frequent interactions with a variety of results-oriented staff members, technologists, safety personnel, facilities, and service engineers. The technologist will be encouraged to assist with property management duties, assist in environmental health and safety issues, work documentation, and chemical inventories.

In this role, you will have the chance to make important contributions in support of the Department's growing research activities.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite and will be required to travel to partner laboratories and test sites in support of data collection field campaigns. This travel is often for multiple weeks at a time, for several separate tests over the course of a year.

$74,700 - $144,400

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

• Associate degree in engineering, physics, or relevant science, technology, or mathematics (STEM) field, or high school diploma plus 4 years experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• One or more years of experience with the operation of laboratory instrumentation including both hardware and software to perform data collection and analysis.
• The ability to acquire and maintain a DOE Q clearance

This position will require rigorous training and the candidate should be results-oriented and self-motivated. Additionally, desired qualifications include one or more of the following skills, interests, or aptitudes:

• A bachelor's degree in physics, engineering, or a related field
• Knowledge or experience with
  • LabVIEW programming and operation of National Instruments hardware and software
  • electronic RF collection systems, spectrum analysis, and RF signal generation
  • lasers and optical setups and alignments
  • MATLAB or other programming language to process and display data
  • computer aided design software such as SolidWorks
  • RF systems design
  • circuit design and construction
  • laboratory set-up, health and safety concerns, lab maintenance activities and working with hazardous chemicals
  • pressure and vacuum systems including design, installation, and maintenance
  • forklifts
• Ability to learn and master new techniques as needed
• Effective interpersonal and oral/written communication skills and the flexibility for effective participation in teams
• Ability to work independently and self-sufficiently with high reliability and attention to detail as part of a larger team effort
• Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects demonstrating good time and organizational skills.
• The ability to travel 12 weeks per year, as necessary.

The Proliferation Detection Programs Group (6750) addresses critical challenges in nuclear nonproliferation (such as proliferation detection, international safeguards, and warhead monitoring), radiological emergency response, underground test monitoring, and other national security priorities. Group 6750 is responsible for the Proliferation Detection Program at Sandia, which brings the capabilities from ~17 Centers across the lab, developing low TRL technologies for successful maturation and transition to other programs for mission impact. Within Group 6750, Weaponization and Geophysics R&D (6754) holds responsibility for sensing/monitoring of Weaponization facility activities, HE experimental campaigns, and multiple modalities in geophysical monitoring including infrasound, seismo-acoustic, and RF expertise.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) 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.

If offered the position, you may be required to demonstrate your fitness to perform certain physical aspects of the position, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.