Cleared Senior/Principal Materials Science Engineer - FENG and Tube Lifecycle Engineering, Onsite

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 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.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking an exceptional material science engineer (R&D S&E, Materials Science) to support our ferroelectric power supply design team with our mission to deliver ferroelectric neutron generator (FENG) products. As a materials science staff member, you will work in a highly dynamic research and development environment involving materials research, process development, chemical and electrical characterization, and design/fabrication of electronic/active ceramic materials and devices. This role requires you to engage in project efforts that are highly collaborative, and team oriented in nature, working directly with staff members, technologists, and production operators within the neutron generator enterprise. Our department has a strong dedication to continuous improvement and high rigor with respect to ES&H and Security.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Conduct research and development in collaboration with the active ceramics design team and consult with the production agency to identify formulations for improved manufacturability.

• Develop ceramic powder synthesis and processing methods. Understand and utilize mixed oxide and wet chemical synthesis approaches.

• Develop ceramic fabrication and shape-forming techniques, sintering and densification.

• Execute ceramic materials and device characterization (chemical, electrical) techniques.

• Operate electro-mechanical testing equipment for evaluating materials and devices.

• Direct laboratory technologists to support execution and operation of technical work.

• Support FENG component engineers with their inquiries on deployed FENG designs as well as their development of new FENG devices.

• Support the design of ferroelectric power architectures for ND applications.

• Contribute toward the operation of a development, adhering to safety and security protocols.

• Document scientific results in archival reports.

• Present results to the materials community, within Sandia or external, and to project partners as required.

  Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Salary Range:

$114,000 - $227,500

*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.

Qualifications We Require:

• 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.

• Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent required to start

Qualifications We Desire:

The ideal R&D S&E, Materials Science candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

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

• Experience in a research and development environment.

• Experience with materials characterization techniques.

• Experience working on teams consisting of multidisciplinary and multi-disciplinary experimentalists, modelers, and theorists with a common goal.

• Effective interpersonal skills for giving presentations, preparing reports, writing articles, and explaining the important aspects of technical work to customers.

  Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

• A Ph.D. degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or Chemistry.

• Demonstrated experience working with or knowledge of ceramic materials, particularly, developing ceramic powder synthesis and processing methods, ceramic fabrication, ceramic shape-forming techniques, wet chemical synthesis, and ceramic sintering/densification.

• Experience with electronic ceramics, electrical device characterization, electro-mechanical testing, and a fundamental understanding of LabVIEW and PC-based data acquisition software and techniques.

• Experience and comfort with handling and processing classified components appropriately, adhering to movement requirements, and following all security protocols.

• Creative problem solver that is pragmatic and comfortable working in a dynamic environment, with a willingness to learn and continuously improve.

• Demonstrated knowledge and comfort for working safely with and around systems, procedures, and materials that involve, chemical, electrical, thermal, and pressure hazards.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, and experience with creating and maintaining safety and security protocols/documentation.

About Our Team:

The FENG and Tube Lifecycle Engineering Department (7584) is responsible for the design and development of Neutron Tubes (NTs) and Ferroelectric Neutron Generators (FENGs) for War Reserve, Laboratory, and Field Test applications of Nuclear Weapons. Within the department resides expertise in nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, and electrical engineering. These diverse areas work together to innovate and mature technology in the areas of NT and NG physical and electrical design, NT and NG modeling/simulation, active ceramic and insulative ceramic materials. We also work closely with the explosives component organization and the local NG production agency. Team members are responsible for assessing the health and performance of the current Nuclear Stockpile and contributing to the Annual Assessment Report for the Nuclear Stockpile. We provide stewardship of our designs and products from delivery to the stockpile through disposal at end of life. By working together our department is flexible and resourceful, allowing us to contribute to our nations need for a reliable deterrent.

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: 695551

Job Family: RD

Regular/Temporary Position: R

Full/Part-Time Status: F