R&D Physicist - W93 Survivability Evaluation and Qualification (Experienced) - Onsite
Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque, USA
Job posting number: #7238420 (Ref:Sa693274)
Posted: May 12, 2024
Job Description
About Sandia:
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.
What Your Job Will Be Like:
We are seeking a R&D Physicist to lead the Survivability Evaluation and Qualification team for the W93 Program. The successful candidate will be part of a highly motivated, mission-driven team, partnering closely with ND system design teams, component organizations, external design agencies, and science and engineering peers at SNL. The successful candidate should be comfortable in both the technical and cooperative leadership venues, with strong teaming and communication skills. Additional responsibilities will include:
- Working with customers to address program needs for each of the design agencies (Sandia, Los Alamos and Lockheed Martin).
- Logistical engagement with test facilities, both internal and external to SNL.
- Technical engagement with experts in environmental analysis, as well as system and component design.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Develop the survivability strategy needed to inform the maturation of W93 system design and, ultimately, to fully characterize the final design in radiation-type environments.
- Represent the program, while collaborating regularly with partners at Sandia, Los Alamos National Laboratories, Lockheed Martin, Applied Physics Lab, DoD Navy SSP, and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
- Engage technically with experts in radiation effects, analysis and testing within Sandia and with our partner agencies in support of the survivability qualification test and analysis program.
- Perform trades balancing performance, costs, risks, materials, functionalities, and technology maturation.
- Develop specifications and documentation of survivability test and modeling strategies, laboratory and field test activities, test and analysis plan preparation, test execution, and data analysis.
- Prepare presentations and other supporting documentation needed for technical reviews.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM. Some travel is required for this position.
Qualifications We Require:
- Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.
- At least two (2) years of experience working in radiation effects or a related field.
- Active DOE Q security clearance (or DOD equivalent).
Qualifications We Desire:
- Experience conducting and leading radiation experiments, both for human-made and natural environments.
- Experience with ND system design, development or production.
- Demonstrated understanding of Transient Radiation Effects on Electronics (TREE), Box IEMP, SGEMP, single even upset, neutron, gamma and x-ray effects.
- Experience with Hardened Electronics Radiation Effects Technology (HEART) meeting and/or IEEE Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conference (NSREC).
- Experience in system engineering of complex systems.
- Demonstrated ability to understand and work with a diverse set of technologies.
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment, showing initiative and leadership.
- Motivation to work with a large integrated Systems team with broad interaction.
- Must be able to apply strong interpersonal and communications skills working with a diverse team ranging from skilled laborers to PhD engineers/scientist.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and execute technical work.
- Ability to negotiate competing requirements to give the best system-level outcome.
- Ability to discover, understand and articulate constraints, options, paths-forward.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Commitment to operational safety, security and quality.
- Some travel will be required to support development, test and program needs.
About Our Team:
The W93 System Evaluation and Qualification Department has the primary responsibility to plan and coordinate all evaluation activities for the W93/Mk7 Navy Strategic Reentry System Program. These evaluation activities involve modeling, simulation, and physical testing, both on the ground and during flight, in support of the maturation and ultimate qualification of the W93/Mk7 reentry body system design. We work closely with our partners and program stakeholders, including NNSA Federal Program Managers, the US Navy, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Los Alamos National Lab, the Sandia nuclear weapons component organizations, the Sandia science & technology community, Kansas City Plant National Security Campus (NSC), the UK Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), and many others, to coordinate expertise and foster innovation in efforts to better “design for evaluation”. The department sets and executes the strategic plan with our partners to evaluate the reentry system in an effective and efficient manner to achieve the overall program testing objectives.
Posting Duration:
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.
Security Clearance:
Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD). Sandia is required by DOE directive 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 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.
EEO:
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.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:
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.
Job ID: 693274
Job Family: RD
Regular/Temporary Position: R
Full/Part-Time Status: F
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.