Senior/Principal R&D Mechanical Engineer - Solar Thermal Systems, 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 an R&D Mechanical Engineer (job title: R&D S&E, Mechanical Engineering) to lead tasks related to modeling and experimental research on solar thermal systems, including system level mass and thermal transport phenomena. You will assist PIs initially and develop your own research interests combining a fundamental understanding of the physics of solar thermal systems to develop appropriate models and experimental validation processes. Models may be developed for thermal energy transport, mass flow, thermal energy storage, collector and receiver design, industrial process integration, or other relevant components and systems as requested by industry collaborators or the Department of Energy. Experimental testing may be conducted to validate models at bench to demonstration scale.

This position will also involve meeting with customers to provide specialized component testing solutions. The successful candidate will work with a team of engineers and technologists to perform simulation and hardware validation testing with the appropriate platforms in the Integrated Solar and Thermal Energy Systems Department. Additional opportunities for thermodynamic cycle analysis, thermal-hydraulic and mechanical design, power/heat production for industrial applications, and technoeconomic analysis are possible and the use of AI and advanced digital engineering tools is expected. Understanding and adherence to applicable Sandia National Laboratories ES&H requirements and guidelines will be important for this position.

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

• Use engineering principles to research, design, or develop structures, instruments, machines, processes, or systems; to construct or operate the same with cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions.
• Prepare and analyze models and simulations of molten salt, sCO2, steam and or particle-based systems, concentrating solar power collectors or receivers, power plants, or hybrid energy systems.
• Plan, conceive, conduct, and manage research and development projects for NSTTF's customers and sponsors.
• Be self-motivated, detail-oriented, eager to advance concentrated solar thermal technologies, and interested in technical/functional details.
• Manage task and project budgets, schedules, plans, and communications.
• Present original research at conferences as well as in written publications.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

$117,500 - $235,700

*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 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance.
  

The ideal R&D S&E, Mechanical Engineering candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience with mechanical engineering and product realization in the NNSA complex.
• 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:

• Demonstrated expertise in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and/or solid mechanics through publications or project work
• Excellent technical writing skills as demonstrated in scientific publications
• Demonstrated understanding of thermal transport fundamentals
• Experience conducting HPC simulations including mesh preparation, visualization, and data analysis
• Experience with engineering design tools to address testing requirements that may include engaging with finite element, finite volume, or discrete element methods for thermal, mechanical or combined environment analysis, engaging with commercial tools like ANSYS to suit customer needs
• Experience with coding, Python in particular
• Experience with LabVIEW in an experimental testing environment, as well as LabVIEW coding
• Demonstrated ability to generate CFD and/or FEA models to analyze thermal and/or mechanical components
• Experience in producing designs, and models of complex objects
• Ability to independently seek definition, evaluate, analyze, and then realize mechanical designs based on customers' or scientists' visions
• Experience with AI and ML in a research environment
• Experience with Concentrating Solar technologies
• Active DOE Q-level security clearance or equivalent
• Demonstrated leadership skills
  

The Integrated Solar & Thermal Energy Systems department uses world-class modeling and experimental capabilities to develop, validate, and demonstrate thermal energy generation, storage, and utilization. In collaboration with industry partners, we optimize the performance and efficiency of thermal energy technologies and processes as part of hybrid energy systems. Sandia conducts pioneering research in materials and reactions at high temperatures, component design and testing, integrated system controls, molten salt and particle-based concentrating solar thermal energy, direct heat for energy-intensive industrial applications (e.g., chemicals production, cement, food processing), and modeling of hybrid energy systems.

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.

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 L-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 the 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.