Senior/Principal Electromechanical Technologist - Atmospheric Sciences, 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.

Are you motivated by hands-on technical work that directly supports national security and atmospheric science? Do you value teamwork, adaptability, and seeing complex systems operate in real-world environments? We are seeking an Electromechanical Technologist to support atmospheric science field experiments using large, tethered aerostat systems.

This position supports a mission-critical, multidisciplinary research program conducting field-based experiments for science and national security related applications. The selected candidate will work closely with scientists, engineers, and technologists to design, integrate, test, deploy, and operate scientific instrumentation and tethered balloon flight systems in both laboratory and field environments. The work is hands-on, often time-sensitive, and conducted in environments that demand strong attention to safety, procedures, and teamwork.

Field Deployments and Travel Requirements: This position requires regular and extended travel-up to 16 weeks per year to support atmospheric field campaigns at varied locations. Field deployments typically involve extended workdays for 14+ day long periods, physically demanding outdoor activities, and operations in challenging environmental conditions, including extreme heat or cold in an outdoor environment. Travel and fieldwork are essential functions of this position and are scheduled to meet mission needs. Candidates must be willing and able to participate fully in all phases of field deployment, including preparation, execution, and demobilization. Field operations may involve non-standard work hours and sustained effort during deployment periods. While demanding, this work provides opportunities for meaningful contribution to high-impact missions in the national interest.

This role supports the full lifecycle of field experiments. The selected candidate will be expected to contribute across multiple technical domains and adapt to evolving mission needs.

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

• Develop and integrate electrical systems for airborne miniaturized scientific instrumentation, including pumps, heaters, and microcontroller-based systems
• Support the operation of tethered balloon systems and associated instrumentation during field deployments
• Design, test, and troubleshoot winch system components, including motor controllers, electronic brakes, and DC motors
• Size, specify, and maintain lithium battery systems for airborne and ground-based equipment
• Fabricate and assemble cabling for AC and DC power systems; solder electronic components
• Evaluate performance of airborne lighting, communications, and scientific payloads
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot optical, RF, and electrical systems in laboratory and field environments
• Rapidly prototype and implement solutions to operational and integration challenges
• Fabricate instruments, tools, and systems for use in field operations with the balloon system
• Participate in mission planning, logistics coordination, and field site preparation
• Adapt to changing priorities while maintaining a safety-focused, solution-oriented approach
• Follow stringent Environmental, Safety and Health protocols including aviation safety per FAA requirements.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected candidate 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, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering Technology, or other relevant technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with one or more of the following: MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, SolidWorks, ANSYS or similar engineering software.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 16 weeks per year for field deployments, including driving with trailers to transport mission-critical equipment.
• Willingness and ability to work in extreme outdoor conditions for field deployments
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance
  

• Strong understanding of mechanical drawings and/or electrical drawings
• Experience with aerostat, balloon, or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems
• Experience supporting scientific instrumentation or field-based research
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to multidisciplinary teams
• Experience designing or building micro electronics systems for scientific instruments, winches, and off grid power systems
• Experience with AC and DC electronic systems for design/fabrication and diagnostics
• Experience with fabrication methods such as 3D printing, CNC/manual machining, welding, electronic fabrication, or soldering
• Experience troubleshooting mechanical and electrical systems
• Experience with microcontroller or PLC programming
• Experience with airborne sensing or thermal imaging systems
• Experience with scientific sample handling or inventory control
• Experience with industrial level DAQ systems and automation processes
• Willingness and ability to operate and drive with trailers around the country
• A professional, constructive approach to teamwork
• Willingness to support mission needs beyond narrowly defined tasks
• Ability to remain effective and agile under schedule pressure and dynamic conditions
• Demonstrated commitment to conducting work safely and thoroughly
  

The staff in the Atmospheric Sciences Department at Sandia National Labs have expertise in atmospheric measurements and modeling. Technical activities cover the spectrum from theory to application, including process and earth system modeling, instrument development, field deployments in the continental U.S. and the Arctic, and impacts relating to national security.

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.

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.