Early Career W87-1 Weapon R&D Electrical Engineer - Drive Next-Generation National Security Technologies, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories

Albuquerque, USA

Job posting number: #7367470 (Ref:Sa698311)

Posted: July 20, 2026

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:

Join our Systems Engineering Team as a W87-1 R&D Electrical Engineer for the W87-1 Modification Program.

This is a rare opportunity to mold the W87-1 Warhead design during development engineering and qualification, into production, and ultimately fielding as an ICBM leg of the nuclear triad. The W87-1 Warhead will replace the aging W78 and be deployed on the USAF Sentinel missile within the Mk21A Reentry Vehicle. This high-profile program is part of major USAF acquisition initiatives, collaborating closely with national security partners including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Kansas City National Security Complex, Pantex, and the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Are you a talented early-career or recent graduate Electrical Engineer passionate about making an impact in research and development who can handle a wide variety of roles and responsibilities in a collaborative environment?

This role offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills across engineering domains working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, and grow as a systems-level problem solver. You will receive mentorship and training to help you succeed in driving technical discussions, coordinating with experts, and realizing product.

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

  • Support system engineering activities including component requirements generation and verification ensuring alignment across electrical and mechanical domains.
  • Assist in developing and maintaining model-based systems engineering (MBSE) models using CAMEO to support system design and analysis.
  • Design, review, and update electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and related technical documentation.
  • Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, including system leads, quality, test, and environment teams, to solve technical challenges.
  • Participate as a systems representative on Product Realization Teams, contributing to design reviews, product releases, and hardware deliveries.
  • Contribute to advancing technology and manufacturing readiness levels.
  • Assist in developing burn down plans, implementing risk mitigation strategies, and managing programmatic aspects as needed.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve test failures, including electrical and electromagnetic issues, coordinating with SMEs and test teams.
  • Lead meetings and coordinate SMEs under guidance to support timely resolution of system-level issues.
  • Present technical findings and program updates to diverse audiences with support from senior team members.
  • Represent Sandia on multi-organizational teams including NNSA, DoD, LLNL, and others, fostering collaboration across the Nuclear Security Enterprise.
  • Understand hardware nonconformances and determine acceptability for system tests and negotiate hardware pedigree and delivery dates with test leads
  • Participate in training and mentorship programs designed to develop your skills and expertise.

Location and Travel:

Due to the nature of the work, the selected participant must be able to work onsite in Livermore. This position will require occasional travel up to 25%.

Salary Range:

$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.

Qualifications We Require:

  • A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering 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 U.S. DOE Q clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

The ideal R&D Electrical Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

  • Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
  • Ability to work independently and collaborate well in a multidisciplinary team of designers and test engineers.
  • Outstanding verbal and written skills, including the ability to develop and present briefings that are clear and compelling.

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

  • Basic understanding of systems engineering principles and processes.
  • Familiarity with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and electrical design tools.
  • Educational background in electrical engineering or a related technical field.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work on complex system development and integration tasks.
  • Effective communication skills and ability to collaborate within multidisciplinary teams.
  • Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently in a dynamic environment.
  • Interest or some exposure to nuclear deterrence or defense-related programs is a plus.
  • Comfortable working in a mission-critical environment with multiple stakeholders.
  • Willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced, evolving technical setting.

About Our Team:

The W87-1 System Engineering Departments are jointly responsible for the W87-1 Modification Program. These departments are part of the Nuclear Deterrence Systems Engineering Centers, which are responsible for assuring the safety, reliability, and security of U.S. nuclear weapons, enabling the defense of our nation through our nuclear strategic deterrent.

We are comprised of a group of dedicated and highly skilled engineers. These organizations focus on the engineering design, development, and qualification in support of the W87-1 Modification Program, which is currently preparing for the system Baseline Design Review & Gate and are well into full scale engineering development.

Posting Duration:

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.

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: 698311

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.


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Job posting number:#7367470 (Ref:Sa698311)
Application Deadline:Open Until Filled
Employer Location:Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque,New Mexico
United States
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