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Sandia National Laboratories · 6 hours ago

Senior/Principal R&D Mechancial Engineer - Nuclear Safety Assurance, Onsite

Albuquerque, NM

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$114K/yr - $228K/yr

5+ years exp

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, and they are seeking a Senior/Principal R&D Mechanical Engineer to contribute to nuclear safety and security. The role involves providing consultation on hardware in production, ensuring compliance with nuclear safety standards, and developing innovative engineering solutions for critical systems.

GovernmentInformation TechnologyNational Security

Growth Opportunities

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Use engineering analysis tools to evaluate safety margins and support the development and qualification of components or systems to assure nuclear safety

Analyze the capability of components and systems to meet nuclear safety requirements, particularly their ability to withstand stress from conditions such as temperature, load, motion, shock, vibration, pressure, and humidity

Engage with engineering drawings and CAD tools to support design and analysis efforts CREO/SolidWorks and PDMLink to design, model, and lead the product

Develop expertise in the design and functionality of safety-critical components and systems, including mechanisms such as strong links, LACs, and firing subsystems, to fully evaluate component performance across normal and abnormal environments

Utilize your expertise to identify safety-critical features and ensure that designs meet assured safety standards

Write nuclear safety specifications and prepare documentation for requirements outlined in various Realized Product Procedures (RPPs), which are essential for the weapon realization life cycle

Partner with subject matter experts to create the technical basis from analyses and test data that demonstrates safety-critical components are safe for their intended environments

Work closely with the nuclear safety system lead, design and production teams, and other key partners across the Nuclear Security Enterprise (e.g., Kansas City NSC, Pantex) to develop solutions for a wide range of technical challenges

Help develop nuclear safety fault trees for components and systems, applying research to the design, development, analysis, and testing of mechanical, electromechanical, and piezoelectric systems

Qualification

Mechanical EngineeringNuclear Safety AssuranceEngineering Analysis ToolsCAD Tools (CREO/SolidWorks)Geometric DimensioningTolerancing (GD&T)Hazard Analysis TechniquesMultidisciplinary TeamworkPlanningPrioritizationCommunication Skills

Required

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

Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance

Preferred

Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation)

Experience with mechanical engineering and product realization in the NNSA complex

Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams

Proven ability to navigate ambiguous problems and situations, demonstrating resourcefulness in solving deeply complex technical challenges

Experience in weapon design, testing, simulation, and/or production, particularly with respect to nuclear safety, along with familiarity with nuclear weapon design and development processes

Knowledge of hazard, safety, and failure analysis techniques, such as fault tree analysis and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA)

Strong communication skills, with experience in high-visibility roles and delivering technical presentations to diverse audiences

Excellent planning and prioritization skills, with a demonstrated desire to continuously learn and improve

Proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), along with the ability to understand and interpret technical drawings and wiring schematics

Ability to understand technical drawings and wiring schematics and how to interpret them