Early Career R&D Computer Engineer- Advanced RF Systems Development, 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 seeking a computer engineer or computer scientist to participate in the development of embedded software and test software for advanced RF systems used in current and future national security applications. The selected candidate will demonstrate the ability to work in a dynamic team environment, sharing resources as well as programmatic responsibilities across the group.

This position's primary focus will be the development of embedded software for specialized RF communication systems. It is crucial to have an interest in mixed-signal (RF, analog, digital) electrical designs, which enable the control, optimization, and troubleshooting of these special communication systems.

Job duties include:

• Participation in product concept development and requirements definition
• Embedded software and firmware design, implementation, and documentation
• Development and execution of qualification and acceptance test procedures
• Support of system integration, deployment, and lifecycle sustainment

Our systems are based on advanced signaling techniques and ultra-low power RF receiver/transmitter designs. Successful candidates will become part of a multi-disciplinary, success-oriented, high-performance project team delivering systems that positively impact our national security. Projects range from fast-paced, quick-reaction requests in response to real-world driven needs to longer-term, life-critical efforts with rigorous development requirements.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant 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.

• 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 obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level (or DOD equivalent) security clearance.

The ideal R&D S&E Computer Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Computer Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Demonstrated ability to execute and deliver technical work products with application of appropriate rigor and pedigree documentation (design/code reviews, technical oversight/approvals, project team concurrence, artifact generation, etc.).
• Experience in computer systems design and software development for real-time and embedded processing systems, distributed processing systems, or real-time client server implementations.
• Familiarity with hardware/software requirements generation for verification, validation and qualification.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary, multi-disciplinary team setting for a common purpose.

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

• Preferred degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science.
• Experience developing embedded software and firmware in C/C++ for bare-metal and/or real-time operating system (RTOS) environments.
• Proficiency in time-critical control of electronics, peripherals, and sensors.
• Familiarity with general test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, logic analyzers) and RF test equipment (network and spectrum analyzers).
• Strong critical-thinking, synthesis, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve ambiguity.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a software team, maintaining clear communication, consistent progress, and timely identification and escalation of risks or obstacles.
• Knowledge and experience with the implementation of the full software development process from requirements definition through verification and validation to delivery using Agile or iterative methodologies.
• Experience with Python or MATLAB programming languages.
• Experience with GitLab CI/CD development.
• Experience with version control systems like Git or Subversion.
• Experience with wireless systems design.
• Active security clearance (Secret or Top Secret)
• The ability to obtain and maintain SCI access, which may require a polygraph.

The High Reliability Special Communications Department (5372) develops terrestrial, airborne, and space-based special communications systems for use in surveillance, reconnaissance, and high-value target and material controls. Our customers include a variety of government organizations conducting special operations missions. Staff members possess a diverse skill set, including microwave circuit design, antenna design, signal analysis, digital signal processing, embedded software, 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 maximally efficient transceivers, signal extraction in very low signal-to-noise environments, and signal analysis of RF and communication systems.

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.