R&D Systems Engineering (Experienced) - 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 seek a strong, experienced and forward-leaning Action Officer (AO) for SNL leadership in the U.S./UK Mutual Defense Agreement (MDA). If you have a background and knowledge of the U.S. and UK’s nuclear weapons programs, SNL’s product realization capabilities and processes, and established relationships with U.S. and UK federal and contractor personnel, this job will be an excellent avenue for you to promote global peace and the security of the U.S. and U.S. Allies. If you are looking for a job where you will get the chance to work as a respected senior staff member in a consequential role and in a strong, team-oriented environment, engaging in a variety of tasks, with the expectation to continually learn more about ND and how the U.S. and UK accomplishes this core mission, this may be the job for you.

On any given day, you may be called on to perform the following functions in your role as U.S./UK Action Officer:

• Work independently and at times in conjunction with the other Sandia U.S./UK MDA AOs as well as those from U.S. and UK organizations to support the significant role Sandia National Laboratories holds in MDA execution.
• Work internally (Classification, Export Control, Legal, etc.) or with non-Sandia AOs to develop, recommend and/or implement improvements to policies, procedures, and processes.
• Continually apply sound and experienced political and technical judgment to support the work executed under this MDA in numerous Sandia organizations to recognize problems and formulate solutions.
• Interface with all levels of Sandia management and provide context, advice and planning in preparing them for important U.S./UK interactions.
• Managing activities and elements of the Warhead, Nuclear Threat Reduction, Air Force and Trident information exchange channels,
• Provide prepared and ad-hoc training and consultation for Sandia management and staff at all levels on all matters regarding SNL/U.S./UK collaboration
• Serve as the authoritative point-of-contact for Sandia staff regarding technical and logistical issues of SNL/U.S./UK collaboration.
• Maintain a high-level of situational awareness regarding Sandia and the NNSA’s involvement in the various collaboration venues (Strategic Collaborations, Enhanced Collaborations, Joint Working Groups, and visits).
• Work with the Department Manager to optimize how the Department conducts its work in the U.S./UK and the other International Programs.

Along the way you’ll work with Sandia’s most senior level management and their staff in a key consultative role relative to the U.S./UK MDA. You will work with the Department manager to ensure Sandia’s ND International Programs is regarded as the leader in the NNSA contractor community. You will work jointly with other department members to solve problems creatively and dynamically and continually improve processes and mission performance.

• This position should be viewed as a career broadening opportunity with an expected tenure of about three years.

QUALIFICATIONS WE REQUIRE

• Master’s degree with a minimum of five years of relevant DNI/DOS/DoD/NNSA/NSE experience or a STEM Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of ten years of relevant DoD/NNSA/NSE experience.
• Experience with NNSA, DOE, and DoD nuclear weapon product realization capabilities, processes and infrastructure
• Demonstrated ability to elicit customer input, manage customer interactions, produce required deliverables (urgently at times), and otherwise meet customer expectations in a competent and professional manner
• Strong communication and demonstrated teaming skills
• Ability to qualify as a Derivative Classifier and Transmissibility Reviewer immediately upon selection
• Current active U.S. DOE Q clearance and ability to maintain it with possible caveat upgrades if necessary. Sigma 15 will be required immediately upon selection
• Anticipate moderate travel within U.S. and to the United Kingdom.

QUALIFICATIONS WE DESIRE

• Familiarity or knowledge of SNL International Programs structure and initiatives including Trident Program
• Familiarity or knowledge of Sandia’s Nuclear Deterrence Portfolio and associated Nuclear Weapons activities
• Established positive relationships with Sandia Management, Air Force, Navy/Strategic Systems Programs, Atomic Weapons Establishment/Ministry of Defence, DoD Nuclear Matters, and NNSA HQ and field federal and contractor personnel
• Detailed knowledge of the nuclear weapon lifecycle and associated programs; e.g. design, qualification, surveillance, safety and reliability.
• Familiarity with past/present NNSA and DoD nuclear weapon development programs
• Ability to self-start, work independently, take initiative and ownership of tasks and exercise mature appropriate judgment with only limited or occasional direction to complete those tasks as and when expected. Sound decision-making and good judgement will be expected and may require the individual to develop a sense of when to seek advice or refer a problem to others within the organization.

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

On any given day, you may be called on to perform the following functions in your role as U.S./UK Action Officer:

• Work independently and at times in conjunction with the other Sandia U.S./UK MDA AOs as well as those from U.S. and UK organizations to support the significant role Sandia National Laboratories holds in MDA execution.
• Work internally (Classification, Export Control, Legal, etc.) or with non-Sandia AOs to develop, recommend and/or implement improvements to policies, procedures, and processes.
• Continually apply sound and experienced political and technical judgment to support the work executed under this MDA in numerous Sandia organizations to recognize problems and formulate solutions.
• Interface with all levels of Sandia management and provide context, advice and planning in preparing them for important U.S./UK interactions.
• Managing activities and elements of the Warhead, Nuclear Threat Reduction, Air Force and Trident information exchange channels,
• Provide prepared and ad-hoc training and consultation for Sandia management and staff at all levels on all matters regarding SNL/U.S./UK collaboration
• Serve as the authoritative point-of-contact for Sandia staff regarding technical and logistical issues of SNL/U.S./UK collaboration.
• Maintain a high-level of situational awareness regarding Sandia and the NNSA’s involvement in the various collaboration venues (Strategic Collaborations, Enhanced Collaborations, Joint Working Groups, and visits).
• Work with the Department Manager to optimize how the Department conducts its work in the U.S./UK and the other International Programs

Along the way you’ll work with Sandia’s most senior level management and their staff in a key consultative role relative to the U.S./UK MDA. You will work with the Department manager to ensure Sandia’s ND International Programs is regarded as the leader in the NNSA contractor community. You will work jointly with other department members to solve problems creatively and dynamically and continually improve processes and mission performance.

• This position should be viewed as a career broadening opportunity with an expected tenure of about three years

Specifically, the Department is responsible for:

• Providing the infrastructure and technical coordination for all Sandia activities under Mutual Defense Agreements (MDAs) and other multi-national collaboration efforts.
• Administration of the Laboratories NATO program and NATO access.
• Managing the Cleared Foreign National Process for Sandia