Senior/Principal R&D Electrical Engineer RF Systems/Telemetry Lead at Tonopah Test Range, 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 ready to take your expertise in RF systems and telemetry to the next level? We are seeking a talented RF Systems/Telemetry Engineer to join our innovative team at the Tonopah Test Range (TTR) in Nevada. In this role, you serve as the telemetry lead, overseeing various sensors, including telemetry, optical, and radar systems. You will collaborate with leads in each area and report to the chief engineer. Your contributions will play a crucial role in developing, maintaining, and upgrading gimballed remote RF data sensing systems for data acquisition and tracking applications. Your work will support vital national security initiatives and inform critical assessments that guide high-level decision-making.

Location and Work Environment: This position is based at TTR, where you will work 3-4 days per week at a remote site. Transportation is provided from Tonopah or Las Vegas. You will collaborate with a dedicated team, reporting to the Range Manager and ensuring the instrumentation is always test-ready. Typical workweeks involve traveling to TTR on Tuesdays and returning on Thursdays, with variations based on mission requirements.

If you have a passion for cutting-edge technology and a desire to work in a dynamic environment, we want to hear from you!

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

• Lead the application of principals of radar, RF, and telemetry to research, develop, integrate, repair, and operate electronic equipment and components.
• Oversee the configure and maintain telemetry data acquisition systems for accurate and reliable data collection.
• Guide troubleshooting efforts and resolve data quality issues to ensure optimal performance.
• Implement data security protocols to protect sensitive information.
• Coordinate the integration hardware and software components for effective human-to-machine and machine-to-machine interfaces.
• Direct the design and develop telemetry systems and components, including receivers, data recorders, and ground station equipment.
• Select appropriate telemetry hardware and software based on project requirements and budget constraints.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation, including schematics and operating procedures.
• Conduct system-level testing and validation to ensure compliance with specified requirements.
• Demonstrate effective project coordination skills by managing timelines, resources, and team collaboration while

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. This position is not eligible for remote or virtual work option.

$108,600 - $216,600

*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.

• 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.

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

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Ability to work independently and collaborate well in a multidisciplinary team of designers and test engineers.
• Outstanding verbal and written skills, including the ability to develop and present briefings that are clear and compelling.

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

• Active DOE Q-level security clearance, or other equivalent.
• 3 years (with Advanced degree) or 5 years (with bachelors degree) of demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Sensor systems including radar, telemetry, or RF data capture
  • Gimbaled antenna systems and controls
  • Timing and encryption/decryption equipment
  • Data acquisition/reduction
  • RF experience including testing and diagnostics.
• A solid understanding of:
  • Signal processing techniques
  • Telemetry systems and protocols
  • Analog/digital data distribution
  • Telemetry decommutation and display systems
  • RCC IRIG 106 standards
• Proficiency in using Python, LabVIEW, and/or MATLAB, or other software tools for data acquisition and analysis.
• Experience in TEMPEST and COMSEC integrated systems.
• Experience with hardware and software integration.

We are responsible for the operation of the Tonopah Test Range. The Range team plays a crucial role in planning and executing the Flight Test component of the Stockpile Surveillance program. Additionally, we are tasked with planning and conducting tests in support of various Federal Agencies.

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.