Senior​/Principal Mechanical Flight Test Engineer - W87-1 Modification Program, Onsite

Senior/Principal Mechanical Flight Test Engineer - W87-1 Modification Program, 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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..gov

* These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

Envisioning your future as a Sandian

The W87-1 Modification Program at Sandia National Laboratories is working with the NNSA, U.S. Air Force and other national labs to develop a ground‑based strategic warhead that improves on the safety and security elements of legacy weapons in the U.S. nuclear stockpile. This program is a critical element in our nation’s nuclear deterrence strategy.

JOIN OUR DEDICATED TEAM

We are seeking an R&D Mechanical Engineer for the W87-1 Joint Test Assembly (JTA) & Trainer Engineering team. In this role you will contribute to a high‑impact nuclear weapon modernization program, working in advanced facilities with skilled professionals across the Nuclear Security Enterprise.

As a Mechanical Flight Test Engineer, you will help shape the design process from concept to delivery. Your responsibilities will include developing system‑level design concepts, testing prototypes, and qualifying fabrication techniques. You will also support engineering efforts throughout all project phases, including conceptual design, feasibility studies, and full‑scale engineering.

This is a unique opportunity at Sandia to gain invaluable experience in a national and international priority program. We invite you to join our innovative and collaborative team, where you can make a significant impact on both the nation and the world! This position offers an excellent chance to advance your career in systems engineering while working on diverse projects aligned with your interests.

As the Mechanical Flight Test Engineer, you will:

Collaborate with personnel across multiple Sandia organizations, as well as with external partners such as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and Department of Defense (DOD) organizations, to ensure effective communication and teamwork.

Engage in engineering activities, from developing system‑level design concepts to testing prototypes and qualifying innovative fabrication techniques, while supporting systems and component engineering efforts across all project phases, including conceptual design studies, feasibility and cost analyses, and full‑scale engineering.

Design the mechanical architecture and system‑owned components of JTA systems, ensuring the maintenance of product definitions, procedures, and mechanical envelopes.

Work closely with a component product realization team or mission realization capability partner to solve technical problems, address issues, and mitigate risks, while collaborating across systems teams (e.g., design, requirements, qualification) to perform system integration tasks and resolve issues.

Contribute to BDR readiness by performing detailed mechanical requirements tracing and tolerance stackups to ensure mechanical fit.

Author documents, procedures, and requirements for subsystem and system‑level deliverables, and support JTA build procedures and processes at SNL, PX, and USAF.

Team with colleagues to understand status or…