R&D Manager - Optical Sensors Engineering, 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.

We are looking for a dedicated R&D Manager to lead the Optical Sensors Engineering Department 6783 within the Space Flight Systems Group. This department is responsible for the full lifecycle research and development of advanced optical systems, including their integration into both low- and high-rigor remote sensing systems.

The lifecycle begins with a thorough understanding of national security mission needs and collaboration with mission scientists to identify observable signatures. This is followed by the design and development of sensor systems that collect signals, which are then transformed into refined data products for national customers. The process often involves researching new optical materials, coatings, and fabrication technologies essential for achieving the desired sensor capabilities, as well as exploring packaging methods to meet size and weight constraints across various environments.

In addition to R&D efforts, the department currently oversees the integration, testing, and delivery of the Spectral Imaging Geolocation Hyper-Temporal Sensor (SIGHTS) Optical Sensor Assembly, while also investigating next-generation sensors for the Global Burst Detector space flight system. Throughout these activities, the department collaborates with program offices, sponsor communities, and cross-functional teams within the laboratory to address multi-disciplinary technical challenges.

Are you passionate about leading and developing teams that contribute to national security missions? Join our diverse team to create innovative solutions for unique national security challenges. On any given day, you may be called upon to:

• Set the strategic vision for the department and pursue new and innovative opportunities.
• Lead staff in developing new concepts and advancing technical solutions that create R&D opportunities for integration into both low- and high-rigor systems.
• Foster and strengthen partnerships with peer managers, the broader laboratory community, and internal and external stakeholders to enhance collaboration across the research, development, and application spectrum.
• Ensure the successful execution of deliverables within established budgets and timelines.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with internal project offices, the NNSA, and their partners.
• Identify and pursue strategic investments to enhance the department's infrastructure and core capabilities.
• Oversee staff development, including hiring, onboarding, professional development, and performance management.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards in all R&D activities.
• Develop, maintain, and actively foster comprehensive lab safety guidelines and practices to ensure a safe working environment in both production and R&D laboratories.

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

$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.

• 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q or DOD TS clearance and ability to obtain and maintain an SCI clearance.

The ideal R&D 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:

• A graduate degree in science or engineering (M.S. or PhD) in optical sciences or electrical engineering
• Outstanding interpersonal skills in developing trusting relationships with peers, staff, management, customers, and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including development and delivery of presentations, proposals, reports, and supporting documents.
• Experience with optics and/or electronic systems.
• Experience with design, product development, and qualification for medium- and high-rigor systems
• Comprehensive experience with full lifecycle development of optical systems spanning from technology development, technology maturation, and insertion into operational systems.
• Experience in project/program management and execution, including delivery of complex systems while meeting cost, schedule, and performance requirements.
• Experience managing specialty, high-consequence test design and execution.
• Familiarity with an AS-9100 (or similar) quality management system.

Center 6700 is the Global Security Remote Sensing organization whose mission is to support the national security missions involving nuclear proliferation detection, treaty monitoring, arms control, and various needs within the intelligence and military communities. It leads the integration of strategy, program, and processes for Sandia's remote sensing portfolio.

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.