R&D, RF/Microwave Electronics Engineer (Experienced)

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.

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.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

Do you want to join a dynamic team that solves challenging issues for nation's security using groundbreaking specialized RF technologies?

Our team is seeking a highly motivated Microwave & Sensor/ RF Electronics Engineer. Your primary focus will be electrical hardware design of specialized RF communications systems for National Security applications. Our special communication systems generally include highly optimized, ultra-low DC power, size constrained, RF receiver/transmitter designs that work in conjunction with groundbreaking signal processing transceivers in small-satellites, satellite ground stations, manned and unmanned aircraft (UAV/UAS), and handheld (dismount) applications. Projects range from urgent, quick-reaction requests in response to real-world driven needs to longer term, life-critical efforts with rigorous development requirements. You will become a member of a multi-discipline, success oriented high-performance team.

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

• Contribute to conceptualization, requirements development, circuit design, modeling and simulation, product realization.
• Develop design definition documentation, qualification/acceptance testing, process development, system deployment, and system sustainment activities.
• Collaborate on and develop mixed-signal (RF, analog, digital) electrical designs which enables the control, optimization, and troubleshooting of special communication systems.
• Occasional domestic travel may be required.

Qualifications We Require:

• Master’s degree in relevant STEM engineering or science field plus five (5) years’ experience;
• or equivalent combination of education and experience (Bachelor’s + 9 years’ experience)
• Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE Q clearance and SCI clearance, which may require a polygraph.

Qualifications We Desire:

Ideally, we would like to see your background include some of the following:

• Familiarity with DoD, SOF, and IC organizations
• Familiarity with space hardware and associated organizations
• Experience with high consequence electronics applications (ex. Space, weapons, and/or other high-security applications)
• Experience with RF/microwave/EM applications
• 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 incorporating micro-controllers and FPGA’s
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and document field tests
• Knowledge of Digital Communications, radar, and/or EW systems and principles
• Ability to work effectively on 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
• Active DOE Q clearance
• Active SCI clearance.

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 Systems group (5370) supports the Nation 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 present 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, 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.

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 vacations, 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.

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.

Salary Range:

$99,700.00 - $196,100.00

*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.

Job ID: 687191