Senior/Principal Mechanical Technologist – Aerosol Science, Onsite

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.

Org. 6633 is seeking a skilled Mechanical Technologist to advance critical Research and Development (R&D) efforts focused on the characterization, mitigation, and neutralization of aerosolized weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threats. The ideal candidate will support activities in laboratory and/or field environments, transforming innovative concepts into operational solutions. In this hands-on role, you will operate and maintain experimental equipment, conduct complex experiments, ensure laboratory safety, and meticulously document findings. With minimal supervision, you will execute diverse technical procedures that drive mission success and safeguard national security.

• Conduct aerosol, filtration, chemical, optical, or physical experiments to assist scientists and engineers in the performance of R&D, and perform qualitative and quantitative analyses for work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical applications of science or technology.
• Work collaboratively with other technologists, students, postdoctoral appointees, and staff members on the team and to serve as a resource to further the technical capabilities in the department.
• Develop new experimental processes, primarily in aerosol, filtration, and particle-laden flow sciences, utilize analytical techniques, establish new characterization methods, perform experiments, and optimize existing laboratory processes and characterization techniques.
• Perform work in a safe and compliant manner, seek out domain expert advice as needed, and maintain necessary laboratory, safety, and procedural documentation.
• Serve as a laboratory owner, maintaining operational capabilities and ensure all safety documentation and processes are current and followed by all members of the team.
• Develop, build, modify, repair, or maintain a wide variety of laboratory apparatus and equipment, interface this equipment for data acquisition, and maintain the laboratory space they reside in.
• Develop and maintain material and process specifications to support engineering and scientific processes and work with key suppliers.
• Perform data analysis and interpretation, statistical error analysis, materials characterization, and information extraction, and formally document results for customers and stakeholders.
• Support documentation and publication efforts, including the preparation of information for scientific and engineering publications.

Due to the nature of this work the slected applicant must be able to work onsite.

$74,700 – $144,400

*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 degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, physics or a STEM discipline.
• Demonstrated laboratory experience (i.e. experiment design, instrumentation setup, testing, monitoring/troubleshooting, detector calibrations, and data analysis)
• Experience with mechanical design principals and tools
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance

• Possess an understanding of the scientific method and experimental procedures.
• Excellent communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability to constructively work with teams to successfully execute complex projects.
• Skill and knowledge in one or more areas of: aerosol science, particle-laden flows, microscopy, nanoparticles and microparticles, filtration, fluid mechanics, engineering, physics, materials science, and chemistry.
• Ability to write operating procedures, safety documentation, methods of analysis, and laboratory procedures.
• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance, as well as collaboratively as part of a team.
• Willingness to participate in field tests and experiments.
• Ability to apply analytical and computer skills.
• Experience with radiological safety and handling.
• Ability to interface equipment to data acquisition systems.
• Ability to write algorithms for test automation and acquisition systems.
• Knowledge of utilization of instrumentation to measure and observe physical phenomena and effects.
• Ability to develop expert knowledge of laboratory equipment and processes to enable adjustment when necessary and to recognize when equipment malfunctions.
• Ability to conceptualize and communicate major elements of experimental design and results and to represent to other staff, management, and visitors, the scientific and engineering principles being investigated or developed.
• Experience and demonstrated skill in conducting research, investigating anomalies and alternative solutions, and recommending solutions to problems.
• Interest and/or experience mentoring student interns.

We are a diverse team of scientists and engineers that research, analyze, develop, and deliver technical solutions to predict, detect, identify, defeat, decontaminate, and mitigate threats posed by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents. Some examples include: chemical/biological agent mitigation and neutralization, dispersal device characterization, deployable onsite analysis of biological threats, threat containment, decontamination methodology testing, and atmospheric science applications.

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.

Sandia is required by DOE 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 obtain and 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.

If offered the position, you may be required to demonstrate your fitness to perform certain physical aspects of the position, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.