Early Career Artificial Intelligence - Software Development​/Full Stack Machine Learning, Onsite

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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..gov

* These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a motivated R&D S&E, Artificial Intelligence machine‑learning focused engineer to assist with a broad range of challenging technical problems associated with intrusion detection at national assets from unauthorized people, vehicles, and autonomous platforms (drones or unmanned aerial vehicles). The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of working with real‑world, messy data and developing prototype systems that can be demonstrated in operational environments prior to full deployment.

This role requires a deep understanding of the end‑to‑end lifecycle of machine learning systems, from test planning and execution to iterative development and stakeholder communication.

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

• Formulate algorithmic and machine learning approaches to solve data analysis and target localization and classification tasks in dynamic environments.
• Develop machine learning models and deploy them into a production environment.
• Write clean, efficient, and well‑documented code for national security applications.
• Assist data collection teams in both indoor and outdoor field settings.
• Analyze and visualize large datasets to extract actionable insights and refine models.
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, integrate hardware and software, conduct experiments, and analyze results to advise government sponsor decisions.
• Troubleshoot issues with existing code or simulations and collaborate with colleagues to resolve technical challenges. Update algorithms and systems based on test results and continuously improve solutions through iterative development cycles.
• Write proposals for internally or externally funded R&D projects.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to identify project requirements and develop solutions.
• Communicate complex technical concepts to audiences with non‑technical backgrounds, ensuring clarity.
• Stay up‑to‑date with emerging trends and technologies in autonomy, machine learning, vision‑language models (VLMs) and uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) technology.

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

Salary Range:

$99,400 - $193,600

* 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.

Qualifications We Require:

• 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 DOE Q‑level security clearance.

Qualifications We Desire:

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

• Graduate degree in a relevant computationally‑intensive discipline where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience in…