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 an experienced research staff for the Power Sources Technology Group (PSTG) to lead operational activities at several facilities, which provide key capabilities for the PSTG. Notably this will include being the operational lead for Battery Abuse Testing as part of the Battery Abuse Test Laboratory (BATLab) team. This job will work with the members of the workforce within our Group to execute on programs across a wide variety of Sandia mission areas. You will participate in the PSTG efforts to identify and carry out tactical efforts to improve group and capability operations. You will work with the team to ensure that customer needs are satisfied by coordinating specific deliverables, research objectives, project plans, budgets, structures, schedules, and testing priorities. You will help to direct work that is rooted in the fundamentals of science and engineering and requires a deep understanding of engineering and scientific principles. This position will contribute to the execution of Sandia's scientific programs from fundamental research through development and qualification of electrochemical energy storage technologies.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
Lead operational activities at the Battery Abuse Laboratory (BATLab) and its ancillary sites including the planning and execution of abusive battery tests, and directing the work of diverse team of technologists, post-docs, and students
Engage engineers, technologists, students, and collaborators associated with our programs to deliver on multi discipline programs and guide those teams towards successful execution
Serve as a representative for Power Sources to represent our work to customers and stakeholders
Oversee and apply engineering methods used within scientific and engineering disciplines to develop or demonstrate new designs, machines, products, processes, and fundamental research
Provide leadership for ensuring hardware, experiments, and safety expectations are met for several capabilities within the technology group
Advocate for our team, their expertise, and capabilities as we conduct business development activities to grow the group portfolio
Cultivate and build strategic partnerships with a wide and technically diverse customer base across the laboratory and sister National Labs in establishing technical work to be executed within the department
Lead the team in updating and configuration of Procedures and Work Planning & Control documentation
Be accountable as a WP&C Work Planner to ensure work acceptance, cost estimations, procurements, planning of large projects, engineering support, customer interface, work schedules to customers Security, Safety, Quality requirements
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.
Salary Range
$117,500 - $235,700
*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 and five (5) 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
Qualifications We Desire
The ideal R&D S&E Chemistry candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:
Graduate degree in a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement(e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation)
Familiarity with operation of standard laboratory equipment, and standard laboratory processes
Ability to prioritize and teach others basic chemistry tasks, including the operation of standard laboratory equipment, and standard laboratory processes
Excellent communication skills, written and oral, and preferably prior experience in writing both published peer-reviewed articles and grant proposals
Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to contribute and work in a multidisciplinary team environment
Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:
Research and Development experience in electrochemical energy storage or a closely related field
Prior experience in a technical project leadership role and leading technical teams
Demonstrated experience with battery abuse testing or similar high hazard operations
Demonstrated ability to team with others to produce successful outcomes
Experience in leading activities within the SNL WPC process
Expertise in the execution of fundamental research programs
Ability to successfully manage and complete multiple programs and projects
A commitment to a culture of safety and security
About Our Team
The Power Sources Research and Development Department develops primary and rechargeable lithium batteries, hybrid power sources, and double layer capacitors for our customers in the DOE, the military, industry, and other Sandia organizations. The Department endeavors to build on a leadership position in developing lithium batteries for energy and defense applications. In collaboration with others, we develop new power source concepts and materials leading to component development for specific applications. Our battery safety research and abuse testing laboratories are state-of-the-art and help us understand battery failures and lead our engineering efforts to produce abuse tolerant systems for nuclear weapons and other defense and consumer applications that include electric and hybrid-electric vehicles and utility grid energy storage.
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.
Sandia National Laboratories is one of the country’s largest research and engineering laboratories, employing 8,500 people at major facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Livermore, California. We apply our world class scientific and engineering creativity and expertise to comprehensive, timely and cost effective solutions to our nation’s greatest challenges. Please visit our website at www.sandia.gov.