R&D Mechanical Engineer (Early/Mid-Career) - Onsite

at  Sandia National Laboratories

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 S&E, Mechanical Engineering
We are seeking a highly skilled R&D S&E, Mechanical Engineer (or Chemical, Physics, Comp Sci) to join our team. As a Pressure Engineer/Project Lead at our Primary Standards Laboratory, you will play a crucial role in supporting Sandia in its global security missions. The PSL is an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory providing metrology support to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). This position requires technical aptitude/knowledge spanning a broad range of measurement areas, systems, methods, and procedures to have an immediate impact on the work at the PSL. The ability to work in a team environment and provide engineering oversight to solve measurement issues is critical.
Your responsibilities will include researching/developing advances in measurement methods/uncertainty analyses and calibration methods in the areas of pressure, volume, and gas leaks. You will work with your team to develop new/improve existing measurement techniques, data analysis techniques, measurement systems and collaborate to support customers across Sandia’s broad national security missions. A key role will be working in a team environment to support other mechanical measurements at PSL and interacting with colleagues across SNL/NNSA in mechanical measurements/calibrations and with colleagues at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). All work will be performed in accordance with laboratory procedures, policies, and practices.

Support the daily operations of the pressure lab within the Primary Standards Lab by:

• Apply knowledge, experience, and technical aptitude in measurement science related to the physical disciplines of pressure and the related systems, equipment, methods, and procedures.
• Conduct/support research and development of new measurement technologies and techniques related to the lab’s capabilities.
• Perform Waiting Quality Approval (WQA) reviews in Maximo, review calibration data and draft certificates to assure they are correct. Approve Calibration Certificates and Reports.
• Participate in Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) quality activities, such as National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) surveys, Proficiency Test (PTs) and Inter-Laboratory Comparisons (ILCs).
• Mentor/coordinate activities of technologists, including technical training and workload management.

Develop/maintain new measurement systems:

• Improve performance and quality metrics for measurement system capabilities and identify ways to optimize calibration workflows.
• Create new understandings and capabilities by using the scientific method’s hypothesis, test, and evaluation techniques.
• Assist customers with their development of Measurement Assurance Plans (MAPs), Tester Qualification, and Approved Calibration Provider (ACPs) processes.
• Work with Quality Assurance on the review and approval of all Designated Calibration Sources (DCSs), Commercial Testing Laboratories (CTLs) and Commercial Calibration Laboratories (CCLs).
• Complete the technical review and Software Quality Approval (SQA) process for COTS packages as well as the development software packages (e.g., spreadsheets, algorithm development, LabView, etc.).

QUALIFICATIONS WE REQUIRE

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant STEM field
• Experience applying engineering and/or statistical concepts to solve functional problems with equipment and/or mathematical models.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE “Q” Clearance.

QUALIFICATIONS WE DESIRE

• Using statistical methods of analysis and/or performing measurement uncertainty analyses.
• Fluid dynamics, or gas analysis and/or mass spectroscopy.
• Lab instrumentation, particularly pressure, vacuum, gas leak/flow, gas analysis systems.
• Automation, control and/or analysis software such as Python, LabVIEW, Beckhoff, Visual Basic, MATLAB, COMPASS for Pressure (Fluke), Microsoft Excel and/or Minitab.
• Working in a standards and calibration laboratory and with quality standards such as ISO/IEC 17025, Z540-1, QC-1 or other quality assurance programs.
• Developing processes, technical work documents, and procedures.
• Already possess a DOE “Q” clearance.

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

Please refer the Job description for details