Senior/Principal - E&O Systems Engineer - Flight Test Director, 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.

Envisioning your future as a Sandian

We are looking for a Systems Engineer (Flight Test Director) lead and oversee operations for a diverse team of professionals, including communications specialists, electromechanical technologists, radar/optics/telemetry experts, and safety and technical integration personnel.

As a member of the TTR Operations Team, you will supervise a dynamic group of field test support staff to ensure the successful execution of the Laboratories' flight test missions. This team is responsible for coordinating, planning, organizing, and executing flight test events, working closely with the Range Manager. You will also collaborate with external agencies, such as U.S. Air Force entities, NNSA, and other national laboratories.

As a Systems Engineer (Flight Test Director), your daily tasks will include:

• Working with both legacy testing systems and experimental programs to develop procedures that ensure proper test execution and documentation before and after test events.
• Following established range processes and procedures to meet all safety, security, and compliance requirements related to operations, facilities, and infrastructure.
• Organizing, planning, leading, and integrating multiple disciplines into a cohesive team to ensure critical flight tests meet customer requirements.
• Documenting and tracking range readiness and performance requirements, as well as developing acceptance criteria for deployed systems.
• Identifying and documenting project risks and collaborating with stakeholders to create mitigation and contingency plans.
• Leading, mentoring, and supervising a diverse group of personnel within the mission operations and support teams, reporting to the Operations Lead and Range Manager.
• Interfacing with internal and external customers to ensure their expectations are met regarding system development, testing, and implementation.
• Developing logistical and deployment plans and preparing necessary training resources.
• Maintaining a fundamental understanding of range data collection instruments and their integration for collecting Time Space Position Information and event data while ensuring safety.
• Working effectively in a high-stress environment with competing priorities to meet tight deadlines.
• Developing and delivering a variety of presentations, proposals, and reports.

Location and Work Environment:

This position is located at the Tonopah Test Range (TTR), near Tonopah, NV, with the normal work week running Tuesday through Thursday, 13-14 hours a day (on site 3 days/2 nights). Deviations to the normal schedule occur to facilitate mission requirements and may require personnel to remain away from home 4 days and 3 nights (or possibly longer) at this remote location. Work schedules may change/shift as required to meet organizational needs.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite at Tonopah Test Range, NV. Some out of state travel is required for this position (up to 25%).

$97,500 - $190,200

*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.

• 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 expected duties and responsibilities of this critical operations position.
• Demonstrated expertise in military air-to-ground operations, such as fighter/attack, bomber, and tactical airlift missions, requiring detailed coordination and operational planning.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance. .

• Graduate degree in a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Previous Test Conductor/Director and/or Range Control Officer/Forward Air Controller qualification.
• Highly experienced in UAV/RPA operations and command and control environments.
• Basic understanding of Air Force Range Procedures, notably the Nellis Range Supplement to AFI 13-212.
• Thorough understanding of the range scheduling process and the timelines required to secure airspace for range testing.
• Understanding of the TTR range infrastructure (e.g., radars, telescopes, cinetheodolites, telemetry, and communication) and how they integrate to meet testing requirements.
• Project management and leadership experience
• Ability to translate customer requirements into tasks for range mission support.
• Strong leadership, analytical abilities, and computer skills, including proficiency in all Microsoft applications, such as OneNote.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLNL) and Kansas City National Security Campus/New Mexico Operations (KCNSC/NMO).Graduate degree in a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).

• Previous Test Conductor/Director and/or Range Control Officer/Forward Air Controller qualification.
• Highly experienced in UAV/RPA operations and command and control environments.
• Basic understanding of Air Force Range Procedures, notably the Nellis Range Supplement to AFI 13-212.
• Thorough understanding of the range scheduling process and the timelines required to secure airspace for range testing.
• Understanding of the TTR range infrastructure (e.g., radars, telescopes, cinetheodolites, telemetry, and communication) and how they integrate to meet testing requirements.
• Project management and leadership experience
• Ability to translate customer requirements into tasks for range mission support.
• Strong leadership, analytical abilities, and computer skills, including proficiency in all Microsoft applications, such as OneNote.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), Lawrence Livermore (LLNL), and Kansas City National Security Campus/New Mexico Operations (KCNSC/NMO).

We are charged with the operation of the Tonopah Test Range. The Range team is responsible for planning and executing the Flight Test portion of the Stockpile Surveillance program. Additionally, a requirement exists to plan and execute tests in support of other Federal Agencies.

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.