R&D Mechanical Engineer - Vibration and Thermal Analysis, 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.

Join our dynamic team as we seek a passionate and highly skilled mechanical engineer specializing in thermal and vibration analysis! We are looking for an exceptional candidate with a proven track record in leveraging advanced finite element analysis (FEA) techniques to tackle the challenges posed by thermal, shock, and vibration loads. Your expertise will play a pivotal role in the development of cutting-edge electromechanical systems designed to thrive in harsh environments, supporting critical missions of national security significance. If you are ready to make a meaningful impact and push the boundaries of engineering excellence, we want to hear from you!

On any given day you may be called upon to:

• Develop and refine finite element models and software tools for simulating mechanical static, vibration, and shock loads, as well as conducting thermal analyses of electromechanical components.
• Evaluate instrumentation data to create comprehensive environmental test profiles.
• Assist in the planning, setup, and execution of thermal, vibration, and shock tests on hardware systems to ensure performance and reliability.
• Perform validation activities for finite element models to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.
• Conduct analyses to assess modal vibration of mechanical structures, assemblies, and components, supporting motion studies, fatigue assessments, and environmental validation and verification.
• Integrate Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models with structural and thermal models to enhance overall system performance.

Due to the nature of work, successful candidate must be able to work onsite.

$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.

• 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.
• Ability to be granted a DOE Q clearance

The Ideal Mechanical Engineering candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will additionally 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:

• Proven experience in mechanical static, vibration, and shock analysis, demonstrating a strong understanding of the underlying principles.
• Expertise in developing and analyzing thermal and heat transfer models to optimize system performance.
• Proficient in performing finite element analysis (FEA), with a solid grasp of its applications in engineering.
• In-depth understanding of modal vibration principles related to mechanical structures, assemblies, and components, along with experience in fatigue assessments.
• Skilled in recording and analyzing data from motion and thermal sensors to inform design decisions.
• Familiarity with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model development and analysis, enhancing the integration of thermal and structural evaluations.
• Proficient in using analysis and software tools such as Ansys, MATLAB, Creo, Nastran, Patran, and the Microsoft Office Suite to drive engineering solutions.
• Strong collaborative work ethic, with a proven ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams of designers and test engineers while adhering to project constraints and requirements.
• Capable of working independently to solve complex technical problems with innovative solutions.
• Experience in mentoring and leading others, particularly within technical project development teams, fostering growth and knowledge sharing.
• Active DOE Q Clearance or equivalent

The 5324 Navigation, Pointing, and Control (NPC) Motion Systems Department develops advanced real-time NPC solutions and performs navigation system and thermal, vibration, and shock analysis for projects critical to national security. We collaborate across Sandia National Labs, supporting efforts in modeling and simulation, sensor characterization, trajectory reconstruction, and avionics and electro-mechanical design, testing, and integration.

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.

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.