Cleared Senior/Principal Quality Assurance Specialist - Global Burst Detection, Hybrid

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.

We are seeking a highly motivated Quality Assurance Specialist to join the dynamic and collaborative Global Burst Detector (GBD) Quality Management System (QMS) Team. The GBD program is a significant and long-term space payload program executed by Sandia's Monitoring Systems and Technology Center 6700. The GBD system carries a suite of sensors and instruments capable of identifying signals from nuclear detonations and providing real-time information to the U.S. military and government. This critical mission demands exceptional quality and configuration management (CM) execution, along with close collaboration with various cross-functional teams, to ensure our payloads meet stringent design and performance requirements while staying within cost and schedule constraints. Join us to develop creative solutions to unique national security challenges!

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

• Collaborate with Quality Engineers (QEs), Systems Engineers (SEs) and Software (SW) team members to ensure CM and quality requirements, processes, controls, tools and outputs are maintained throughout the GBD lifecycle.
• Lead continuous improvement of tool-enabled CM workflows and related documentation, establishing updates to internal procedures, user guides, and process controls, with a particular focus on document and record control in alignment with AS9100.
• Administer CM tool access, data entry, workflows and training.
• Drive GBD's change management lifecycle (initiation, impact assessment, prioritization, etc), integrating corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) and tracking to closure.
• Plan, execute and document user acceptance testing (UAT) across GBD-specific CM tools, validating requirements, conducting risk and root-cause analysis for defects, and maintaining release note accuracy.
• Develop and regularly report performance metrics/key performance indicators (KPIs) and trend analyses (change status, build data, subsystem analytics) to support program reviews and management decision-making.
• Support audit readiness and external (AS9100) certification objectives, coordinating evidence, opportunities for improvement (OFIs), and lessons learned; assist with findings and closure in relevant quality tools.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement (CM Specialists, quality team members, SW tool owners, cross-functional teams) and prepare business cases for tool/process improvements, communicating feedback to process owners.

The selected applicant can work a combination of onsite and offsite work. The selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary.

$87,400 - $168,800

*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.

• Bachelor's in engineering, quality assurance or related field plus five (5) or more years of relevant experience or equivalent
• Experience with change control processes, CR lifecycle management, and workflow administration.
• Experience with quality management systems (QMS), document control, and compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting internal/external audits and certification efforts.
• Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent.

• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, and related quality management standards.
• Experience with Configuration Management (CM) tools and enterprise systems (e.g., Aras/AEMS or similar PLM/ERP platforms).
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting using Excel, Power BI, or similar tools.
• Understanding of system architecture principles and sustainment processes.
• Ability to perform risk analysis, root cause analysis (RCA), and implement corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
• Exposure to performance assurance metrics, KPI development, and trend analysis.
• Experience with manufacturing/production activities.
• Excellent teaming, influencing, and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and balance competing activities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills for cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to translate technical feedback into actionable process improvements.

The Monitoring Systems & Technology (MST) Systems Assurance Department leads innovation and R&D for Center 6700, specializing in definition, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of technical systems and processes. Our focus is on product development for initiatives like the Global Burst Detector (GBD) and Mobile Guardian Transporter (MGT).

We work closely with technical project teams, partners, and stakeholders to meet customer requirements for cost, schedule, performance, and quality. Committed to fostering innovation, we conduct evaluations that prioritize innovative approaches, integrate technical solutions into ongoing projects, and participate in risk and root cause analyses to drive improvements.

Quality management is an essential component to our work. We ensure compliance with program procedures and quality standards, document lessons learned and implement best practices for future activities. Additionally, we apply Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain, and Safety (6S) principles to optimize laboratory spaces across the Center, enhancing operational efficiency.

By focusing on technical excellence and R&D, the MST Systems Assurance Department is vital to advancing the Center's mission and delivering successful project and program outcomes.

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.

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.

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.