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Early Career Test Operations Engineer, Explosive- Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories
$87,400 - $168,800
401(k), relocation assistance
United States, New Mexico, Albuquerque
1515 Eubank Boulevard Southeast (Show on map)
Mar 04, 2026
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Job ID
697069
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
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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

We are seeking a Test Operations Engineer specializing in explosives, to work within advanced concepts and mission payloads for missile defense applications. You will be joining a department that develops and integrates system and subsystem components for missile defense applications supporting development, builds, testing, mission integration and fielding flight systems. Your role will encompass all phases of planning that leads to the execution of explosive component testing. You will integrate experimental designs with facility capabilities to meet customer requirements while ensuring safe and efficient operations. This position will include both laboratory and field-testing operations. Moderate travel may be required to support project meetings, reviews, and field/flight test.

On any given day, you may be asked to:

  • Develop and manage project plans focused on explosives testing, ensuring timely execution and adherence to safety protocols.
  • Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers on the fabrication of experiment hardware, test components, systems, and equipment related to explosives.
  • Determine conditions for conducting tests, including safety and security measures specific to explosive materials.
  • Prepare comprehensive work planning and control documentation, including failure mode analyses and safety cases for explosive testing.
  • Coordinate operational, functional, and performance phases of explosive tests.
  • Assist in planning labor and scheduling testing activities related to explosives operations.
  • Prepare or assist in creating documentation for test operations, including work planning and control documents, with a focus on explosives safety.
  • Interface with customers to ensure their expectations are met, utilizing strategic communication skills to convey complex technical information effectively.

Due to the nature of the role, this candidate must be able to work onsite.

Salary Range

$87,400 - $168,800

*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

  • Bachelors Degree in relevant field
  • Experience preparing and maintaining test operations, and administrative procedures to support operations at facilities, particularly in ordnance operations
  • Experience coordinating explosives logistics and knowledge of interim hazard classifications
  • Active DOE Q-level security clearance
Qualifications We Desire

  • Strong knowledge of engineering systems and calculations, with experience applying engineering methods and technology to solve complex explosives-related problems, specifically with aerospace low voltage firesets
  • Experience reviewing and assisting in preparing safety basis documentation for hazardous facility operations involving explosive
  • Experience communicating with subcontractors and vendors
  • Ability to communicate explosive operations, tests and builds to team members, customer, and upper management
  • Knowledge of Sandia National Laboratories procedures, standards, and guides, particularly in the context of explosives safety
  • Expertise in technologies relevant to facility operations and explosives
  • Proficient in engineering work planning and control methods specific to explosives operations
  • Experience in project planning and management, particularly in the context of explosives testing and operations
  • Demonstrated commitment to safety, teamwork, and excellence in mission delivery, particularly in high-consequence explosives environments
  • Experience working with classified and hazardous materials/hardware
About Our Team

The Advanced Concepts and Mission Payloads department is focused on defining advanced technology concepts and future target mission requirements in support of Missile, Air and Space Defense programs. Additionally, the department tests concepts both experimentally and in flight to deliver modeling and simulation truth data, while providing mission payloads in support of Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Ballistic Missile Defense System.

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

Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD). Sandia is required by DOE directive 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 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.

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