Computational Thermal/AeroThermal Analyst, 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 a technical staff member (job title: R&D S&E Mechanical Engineer) to join a collaborative team that uses state-of-the-art analytical and computational simulation techniques to perform first-of-a-kind engineering system analysis and thermal science research with a direct impact on national security. We seek individuals with educational backgrounds and/or professional experience in thermal fluid science (e.g., heat transfer, fluid dynamics) and computational simulation applications or development. The successful candidate will use and potentially develop state-of-the-art tools and models to perform computational simulations in support of applied R&D projects across our national security, nuclear deterrence, and energy mission applications.

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

• Perform thermal, fluid dynamics and/or reacting material (e.g., solid decomposition, aerothermal ablation, re-entry, gas phase combustion, fire) research, development, modeling, and simulation to support a variety of projects for internal (Sandia) and external customers
• Use engineering analysis principles and computational methods to support the design, qualification, and fielding of high consequence engineered systems for national security missions
• Use and/or develop state-of-the-art tools and models to conduct computational simulations (e.g., fluid dynamics, turbulent flow, multiphase flow, conductive/convective/radiative transport, thermal-mechanical, reacting flow, porous media flow and heat transfer, and thermal decomposition)
• Apply and develop uncertainty quantification techniques and assess model credibility through the application of verification & validation principles
• Identify opportunities to modularize, automate, and streamline analysis workflows to reduce repetitive tasks and improve efficiency
• Engage with code and model development teams to develop and implement novel models and capabilities for high performance computing algorithms and environments
• Collaborate on 'digital thread' initiatives by developing credible, reliable, and well-documented analysis code utilizing modern software best practices
• Work closely with teams of code/model developers, analysts, and experimentalists to develop and implement novel models and capabilities for high performance computing algorithms and provide validated simulation results for complex and challenging R&D problems
• Serve as a technical bridge and systems-minded connector between physics analysis teams, software development groups, and experimentalists
• Collaborate and interact closely with a geographically-dispersed team, including engineers and other researchers and analysts across the laboratory at both the California and New Mexico sites

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. The preferred work location for this position is in Livermore, CA; Albuquerque, NM may be considered with regular travel to CA.

Applicants on this posting may be interviewed by multiple organizations at Sandia National Laboratories.

$121,900 - $237,800

*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, 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 US DOE Q-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:

• Strong educational background or professional experience in ONE or more of the following areas: heat transfer (including conduction, convection and radiation), fluid dynamics, aerothermal ablation/reentry, reacting materials/chemistry/combustion
• Proficiency with modeling and simulation tools, including mesh generation (e.g., structured/unstructured mesh creation) and interacting with Linux/HPC environments
• Ph.D. degree in mechanical, chemical, aerospace engineering or closely related field (applied math, etc.); or equivalent professional experience
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technical areas
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a geographically-dispersed, multi-disciplinary team environment
• Experience with high performance computing environments
• Experience with analysis or code development for engineering sciences applications
• Advanced proficiency in Python development, including the application of modern software engineering best practices (e.g., version control, code reliability, and modular workflow design).
• Experience with Verification & Validation (V&V), Uncertainty Quantification (UQ), and establishing model credibility for customers/partners
• Ability to present and/or publish analysis results and research findings
• Familiarity or foundational savvy with AI/ML concepts and AI agent frameworks, with an interest in integrating these tools into engineering workflows
• Demonstrated ability to build strong networks and forge technical connections across multi-disciplinary engineering departments and large-scale projects
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong preference for selected candidate to be based out of Livermore CA site

Sandia/California's Thermal/Fluid Science and Engineering Department is a multidisciplinary community of engineers and researchers who specialize in fluid mechanics and heat and mass transfer. The work mix in the group includes theory and modeling, scientific and high-performance computing, and applied engineering analysis of experiments and mechanical designs. The group plays two primary roles in science-based engineering at Sandia: (1) developing new computational methods, capabilities and tools to describe fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and thermal response; (2) performing computational analysis to predict the design performance of engineered systems in defense, energy, and industry applications. Recent activities and R&D areas within the group include: heat transfer and fluid dynamics modeling and analysis for complex multi-material systems, porous media reacting flow, multi-phase flow, turbulent heat transfer, fire and combustion, hydrogen storage and safety technology, wind energy modeling and technology development, geothermal energy technology, and applied uncertainty quantification and verification and validation for all of these application areas.

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 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.