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: http://www.sandia.gov
*These benefits vary by job classification.
What Your Job Will Be Like:
What Your Job Will Be Like:
The Materials Characterization and Performance Department Manager (R&D, Manager), leads an organization that advances the state-of-knowledge in materials sciences by establishing science-based structure-properties-performance relationships on the basis of advanced structural and compositional materials characterization methods. with broad impact in the fundamental & applied scientific communities.
On any given day, you may be called upon to do the following:
- Provide strategic vision and leadership across scientific and mission areas, ensuring alignment with Sandia¿s objectives and customer expectations.
- Evaluate work quality, performance, and outcomes, fostering collaboration, technical excellence, and scientific accomplishments.
- Guide staff in career development, performance management, and professional growth.
- Oversee program deliverables, budgets, schedules, staffing, and work practices guided by operational excellence principles
- Build trust-based relationships with stakeholders and support research and development initiatives aligned with Sandia¿s strategic priorities.
- Lead the implementation of safe and secure work practices. Participate with internal stakeholders to develop, evaluate, & implement operational methodologies, always seeking efficient & effective approaches to identify & address risks consistent with meeting work scope, schedules, budgets, & organizational goals
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.
Salary Range:
$187,100 - $317,900
*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 eight (8) 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 Q clearance
Qualifications We Desire:
- Two or more years of demonstrated leadership experience
- A graduate degree in science or engineering (MS or Ph.D.)
- Outstanding interpersonal skills in developing trusting relationships with peers, staff, management, customers, and stakeholders
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in the development and delivery of presentations, proposals, reports and documentation
Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:
- Experience leading integrated experimental materials science research projects and/or programs
- Exhibited ability to establish & grow research programs
- Demonstrated track record of scientific contributions as documented by peer-reviewed publications in the scientific literature
- Demonstrated effectiveness in building & leading multidisciplinary & interdisciplinary teams or projects.
- Experience successfully working with DOE customers & colleagues in academia & other national laboratories
About Our Team:
The Materials Characterization and Performance Department specializes in the characterization of structure, composition, and properties of materials for energy and national security applications. Capabilities scan length scales and include extensive electron microscopy, nano-/micro-/macro-mechanical measurements, spectroscopy, and x-ray radiography. Preparation methods include materials sectioning/mounting/grinding and mechanical/electrochemical polishing, and focused ion beam (FIB) milling. Work includes support of projects led by organizations in- and out- of Center and includes both enduring research and walk-in work.
The development of high-throughput materials characterization methods and analysis of multi-dimensional and multi-modal data forms an important research direction towards the establishment of AI-enabled autonomous experiments and accelerated knowledge generation.
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.
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, 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: 696577
Job Family: RD
Regular/Temporary Position: R
Full/Part-Time Status: F
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.


