Cleared_R&D Systems Engineer - W87-1 Flight Test Vehicle System Engineer
Sandia National Laboratories· enterprise· Defense & Aerospace R&D· Oct 13, 2026 · 15d ago
Livermore, CA
In office
Full-time
Mid
$140K–$281K
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: sandia.gov
*These benefits vary by job classification.
What Your Job Will Be Like:
We are seeking a W87-1 Flight Test Vehicle (FTV) System Engineer to join the W87-1 Systems team supporting system level integration, assembly, and testing for W87-1 Flight Test Vehicles (FTVs) from Sandia National Laboratories California (SNL/CA), as well as support W87-1 FTV integration with the USAF's Sentinel Missile and range assets!
In this role, you will support the W87-1 Systems Environmental Flight Test Unit (EFTU) and W87-1 Systems Developmental Joint Test Assembly 10 (DJTA10) USAF integration, ground testing and flight testing. On any given day you may be called on to:
• Design and Innovate: Create and design test equipment, subcomponents, cables, and other hardware to meet rigorous performance standards for Flight Test Vehicles. Lead development and execution of mechanical assembly procedures and mechanical test plans to support flight test vehicle integration and qualification.
• Integrate Systems: Conduct requirements development, discovery, negotiation, and verification with a focus on mechanical and system-level requirements for both mission objectives and missile compliance. Collaborate across various engineering domains (hardware, software, mechanical, aerospace, etc.) to integrate lower-level designs and subsystems into a cohesive system that functions through environments.
• Provide Technical Direction: Provide guidance to technologists and partners in the assembly, calibration, troubleshooting, and operation of test equipment, system components, and instrumentation of hardware.
• Troubleshoot and Resolve: Identify root causes of anomalies and failures during testing and development phases and develop and implement effective mitigation strategies. Engage in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance engineering processes and methodologies
• Develop Automated Solutions: Design automated test solutions for weapon systems, including test fixtures, cables, electrical sensors, and instrumentation hardware. Support automated data processing of flight test data via the Sandia ground station
• Collaborate Effectively: Work closely with SNL Systems Organizations other laboratories, design partners, sponsors, and stakeholders to ensure flight test plans remain on schedule.
• Test and Evaluate: Analyze test data and providing insights to inform design decisions and program direction. Support pre-flight assembly activities at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Identify and mitigate risks associated with mechanical system design, assembly, and testing processes.
As a member of our dedicated and knowledgeable flight test vehicle team, you will find a workplace that fosters learning, visibility, and career growth. In our collaborative environment, we prioritize teamwork and provide a robust support system to help everyone succeed. We empower our engineers with decision-making authority and the resources needed to bring innovative ideas to life.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite 100% of the time.
This position may require up to 25% travel domestically, as needed.
Salary Range:
$139,900 - $280,600
*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 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.
• Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent required to start with the ability to obtain and maintain Sigma 15 access.
Qualifications We Desire:
The ideal R&D Systems Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:
• Graduate degree in Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC).
• Experience working on engineering design, qualification, production, or related projects.
• 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:
• Experience contributing within a NW Systems Engineering or Telemetry (TM) team on a LEP, Mod, Futures, Stockpile System or a related/equivalent DoW modernization program.
• Academic or job experience in areas such as: engineering design, qualification, production, or related modeling/simulation projects.
• Strong background in systems engineering, with demonstrated experience in system testing, integration, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with stockpile or development ND systems, including ND reentry systems and JTA experience.
• Proficiency in requirements management and verification, with experience in requirements discovery and negotiation.
• Experience with bench, lab, and flight vehicle instrumentation, including data collection, processing, and analysis.
• Basic understanding of software programming for instrumentation.
• Experience collaborating with SNL test facilities and organizations, demonstrating effective partnership across disciplines.
About Our Team:
The W87-1 System team is responsible for designing and qualifying the W87-1 warhead and for working with the Sentinel missile System Project Officer (SPO) to integrate the warhead with the missile. The team comprises advanced-degree technical staff with backgrounds in electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering. Additionally, the team includes core partners in project management, reliability, quality, nuclear safety, surveillance, engineering sciences, and material sciences. The W87-1 system team collaborates closely with LLNL as Design Agencies for the program. The system team also participates in multiple subgroups supportin g the USAF Project Officers Group (POG).
Posting Duration:
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.
Security Clearance:
Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD). Sandia is required by DOE directive 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 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.
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: 699328
Job Family: RD
Regular/Temporary Position: R
Full/Part-Time Status: F
Application prep
Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.
- Platform
- careers-html
- Effort
- medium
Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
401k