Cleared Early Career R&D Mechanical Engineer - Explosive Components Product Engineer, 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 a highly motivated Product Engineer to join our Explosive Component Production team within the Explosive Technologies Group at Sandia National Laboratories. This department is responsible for the Production of explosive components, including detonators, ignitors, actuators, and other explosive components, in support of the Nuclear Deterrence mission.

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

• Manage product definition (graphic drawings and specifications) for explosive components under development or in production
• Collaborate with engineers, technologists, and project management to stand up and qualify new production capabilities for explosive components
• Work with external suppliers to produce development or Mark Quality product
• Engage in hands-on work in a laboratory environment, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and best practices.
• Ensure product quality and design intent through technical oversight, defect investigations, and root cause analyses.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance key Production metrics.
• Design and develop processes for product manufacturing, including planning sequences of operations and specifying procedures for material transformation.
• Conduct tests and measurements throughout production stages to maintain control over process and product variables.
• Utilize systematic problem-solving methods to drive process understanding and improvements.

Occasional travel may be required.

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

Salary Range:

$102,400 - $199,700

*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, 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 is required to start

Qualifications We Desire:

The ideal R&D S&E Mechanical Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience with mechanical engineering and product realization in the NNSA complex
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

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

• Experience interfacing with and participating in Product Realization Teams
• Experience with:
• Working in a high-quality production environment applying rigorous processes
• Installation, qualification, and maintenance of manufacturing process equipment
• Methods such as resistance welding, laser welding, leak checking, visual inspection, vacuum systems, and metrology
• Glass-to-metal sealing in a furnace and machining metals, glass, and ceramics
• With hazardous operations and a commitment to safety in an explosives facility
• Ability to:
• Develop, maintain, and improve manufacturing processes, including developing fixtures and tooling
• Analyze data and apply the analysis to decision-making
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and statistical process control
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, including Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)

About Our Team:

Department 7452, Explosive Component Production, is part of the Explosive Technologies Group (7450) and serves as the Production Agency (PA) for explosive components. Our team is responsible for the production of explosive components that support Life Extension Programs (LEPs), Alterations (ALTs), Legacy systems, and New Systems. We collaborate closely with both external suppliers and internal production floors to ensure the highest quality and efficiency in our operations.

Our team plays a critical role in supporting the Nuclear Deterrence mission by ensuring the safe and efficient production of explosive components. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and innovation, where every team member is valued and empowered to contribute to our mission.

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: 696646

Job Family: RD

Regular/Temporary Position: R

Full/Part-Time Status: F

Client-provided location(s): Albuquerque, NM

Job ID: Departmend_Of_Energy_-_Sandia_National_Laboratories_FGB-696646

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2026-01-10T18:38:16