Cleared R&D Manager - Mechanisms, 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:

Organization 7610, Advanced Mechanical Design, is seeking an enthusiastic R&D Manager to lead department 7615, Mechanisms III. 7615 consists of highly energized staff that designs, develops, analyzes, and tests mechanical and electromechanical surety devices for our nation¿s nuclear stockpile. Current work scope includes all Design Agency responsibility for the Detonator Stronglinks (DSL) for the W80-4 program as well as the lead department for several 7610 initiatives focused on strengthening relationships with our Production Agency partners and developing internal capabilities used across all of 7610.
7610 delivers precision mechanical products, that we profoundly understand, for high consequence national security applications. The work that is performed within the departments spans from cradle to grave lifecycle, including a strong design and analysis competency. Understanding of the product realization process and sustained production are critical to the success of these roles.
On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Develop a broad understanding of the products we deliver and their roles in next level assemblies
• Lead technical teams of engineers and technologists and assure that, through engineering, operational, and project management excellence, the department delivers mechanical products by leading the innovation and development of advanced mechanical designs for the 7610 Group
• Lead a team focused on strategic capability development for use across all 7610 products and disciplines
• Partner and develop strong trust-based relationships with customers and stakeholders
• Oversee and manage members of the workforce in the organization, including hiring, professional development, promoting a work/life balance, and performance management
• Work collaboratively with the other managers within 7610
• Meet with department staff on a regular and consistent basis
• Support 7610 strategic initiatives

Moderate travel may be required.

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

Salary Range:

$163,700 - $278,000

*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 and eight (8) 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 independent research and development.
• An Active DOE Q clearance, or equivalent is required to start
• Ability to obtain and maintain Sigma 15 access

Qualifications We Desire:

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

• Two or more years of demonstrated leadership experience
• A graduate degree in science or engineering (MS or Ph.D.)
• Outstanding interpersonal skills in developing trusting relationships with peers, staff, management, customers, and stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in the development and delivery of presentations, proposals, reports and documentation

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

• Work experience in a product realization environment leading a team or in a senior engineering or similar technical leadership role
• Effective program management skills in meeting deliverables
• Familiar with ND systems/subsystems
• Ability and desire to develop strategic plans to enhance technical capabilities to meet current and future needs

About Our Team:

We are highly trained, innovative product developers who team across Sandia and the Nuclear Security Enterprise to achieve success. We use engineering and project management processes to achieve engineering excellence. Our applications include surety mechanisms for nuclear weapons safety and security, and precision opto/opto-mechanical devices for various National/Global Security Programs.

Posting Duration:

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.

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: 697226

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-697226

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2026-03-10T18:59:05