Job Description

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:

The Advanced Special Communications Systems Organization (5373) is seeking a motivated RF Engineer to join their team. This position focuses on providing specialized RF engineering expertise, particularly in applied electromagnetics throughout the research, development, and fielding lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, model, analyze, and test RF electronics circuits
• Design antennas
• Develop RF system concepts
• Create and coordinate requirements
• Participate in product realization and engage with external customers
• Document design definitions
• Perform system integration activities

The ideal candidate will possess strong teamwork skills and a background in electronics engineering (RF, analog, digital) within size, weight, and power (SWaP) constrained systems.

Our special communication systems include highly optimized, ultra-low DC power, size-constrained RF receiver/transmitter designs, as well as groundbreaking signal processing. These systems are deployed in battery-powered field sensors, small satellite payloads, manned and unmanned aircraft (UAV/UAS) applications, and handheld (dismount) applications. Projects range from fast-paced, quick-reaction requests in response to real-world needs to longer-term, life-critical efforts with rigorous development and quality requirements. You will be part of a multi-disciplinary, success-oriented high-performance team, with occasional travel required.

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

• Contribute to conceptualization, requirements development, circuit design, modeling and simulation, and product realization
• RF and microwave circuit optimization through MMIC, MCM, and RFIC design definition
• Develop design definition documentation, conduct qualification and acceptance testing, and engage in process development, system deployment, and sustainment activities
• Collaborate on and develop mixed-signal (RF, analog, digital) electrical designs for special communication systems

Salary Range:

$114,000 - $227,500

*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 STEM 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.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE Q clearance and SCI clearance, which may require a polygraph.

Qualifications We Desire:

The ideal R&D Microwave and Sensor Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:¿

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).¿
• Laboratory skills and knowledge of RF and digital test equipment.¿
• Knowledge of RF, Digital Communications, Electronic Warfare, and Cyber Security systems and principles.¿
• Ability to work successfully in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, teaming environment.
• Active DOE Q or DOD TS security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain an SCI.¿

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

• Familiarity with DoD, SOF, and IC organizations
• Experience with high consequence electronics applications (ex. Space, weapons, and/or other high-security applications)
• Experience with RF/microwave/EM applications
• Familiarity with custom integrated circuits to include MMIC, MCM, and RFIC
• Electromagnetics modeling, design, and tuning of unique form-factor antennas
• Experience with commercial RF/microwave circuit simulation and antenna design tools such as HFSS, ADS, CST, Momentum, Genesys, FEKO, IE3D, etc.
• Experience or familiarity with the following software: Python, GNU Radio, and MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent is desirable
• Familiarity with general test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, DVM, logic analyzers) and RF test equipment (network analyzer, spectrum analyzer)
• Experience with mixed signal digital, RF/Microwave, and analog hardware design including schematic capture and layout of high density printed wiring assemblies
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and document field tests
• Knowledge of Digital Communications, radar, and/or EW systems and principles
• Ability to Lead both small and large development teams (two-to-eight members)
• Good communication and documentation skills
• Great presentation skills with interest and ability to interact with internal and external customers
• Be motivated by working with a highly successful, dynamic project team delivering systems that impact our National Security

About Our Team:

The RF & Systems Electronics Center (Center 5300) provides key electronics systems work to a wide variety of nuclear weapons, space, intelligence and military programs across Sandia and the Nation. The Strategic RF and Electronic Systems group (5370) supports the Nation’s technology superiority strategies by delivering capabilities for RF & spectral dominance, global highly-reliable communications, and novel advancements for future strength. We are a highly dynamic set of departments that cross-team to provide integrated engineering systems solutions ranging from core research through prototype development and high-end, fielded products.

The Advanced Special Communications Systems department (5373) strives to Develop terrestrial, airborne, and space based special communications systems for use in surveillance and reconnaissance, Tagging Tracking and Locating (TTL), and the relay/detection/characterization of RF signals in challenging environments. Our customers include a variety of government organizations including the Intelligence Community and those conducting special operations missions. Our staff members have a diverse skills base including microwave circuit design, antenna design, signal analysis, digital signal processing, embedded software, space systems, and digital FPGA designs. Applications include long and short-range communications and transponder systems, typically utilizing ultra-low power signaling techniques. Our design challenges include highly miniaturized electronics, low-power transceivers, signal extraction in very low signal-to-noise environments, and signal analysis of RF and communication systems.

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:

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 and SCI access, both of which require US citizenship. SCI access may also require a polygraph examination. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain these levels of access 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 the 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: 695481

Job Family: RD

Regular/Temporary Position: R

Full/Part-Time Status: F

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.