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 Postdoctoral Appointee to join our Unmanned Systems & Autonomy R&D Group. This position will focus on tackling some of the most urgent technical challenges in national security today. This critical role will support the development of innovative solutions for robotic, electromechanical, uncrewed and/or automated/autonomous systems for projects in a fast-paced team environment. Responsibilities will encompass a wide range of R&D activities from applied research to the development and deployment of operational systems.

On any given day you may be called on to:

• Develop innovative algorithms for autonomous perception, planning, and action for the control of various mechatronic systems.
• Conduct data analysis and algorithm development to address advanced manufacturing and automation challenges, including fabrication, materials development, assembly, inspection and certification.
• Design and implement novel robots, actuators, and autonomous control systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary science and engineering teams engaged in cutting edge. research and technology development to support the national security needs.
• Deliver high-quality technical work, including contributing to competitive funding proposals and publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals.

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

Qualifications We Require:

• PhD in Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or other relevant STEM degree, with a focus on automation and autonomy.
• Experience developing software algorithms and/or applications and/or development and realization of hardware in C, C++, Matlab, Python or a similar language

Qualifications We Desire:

• Experience writing papers for peer reviewed journals and conferences
• The successful candidate will greatly benefit from having experience in one or more of the following areas :
• R&D related to autonomous mobile systems, manipulation behaviors, and advanced perception systems
• Dynamic systems modeling, optimization, and the development of novel control algorithms for mechatronic hardware
• Implementing heuristic, optimization-based, or machine-learning approaches for autonomous perception, object recognition, decision-making, and training algorithms for object classification, target recognition, and anomaly detection
• Reinforcement learning for robotic control and multi-agent coordination
• Development and testing of electric or electronic systems, including advanced multi-sensor perception systems
• Navigation, localization, and mapping algorithms
• Proficiency in multiple operating systems and simulation environments (e.g., Linux/Windows, ROS, Gazebo, Motion Genesis, Isaac Sim)
• Embedded and edge computing system development
• CI/CD practices and deploying software solutions
• Integration and utilization of foundation models

About Our Team:

Organization 6565 – Uncrewed Systems and Autonomy R&D specializes in robotics, advanced manufacturing automation, advanced controls, miniature mechatronic design and fabrication, electronics, cybernetic systems (human/machine interface and teaming), sensor systems, and computer vision systems. The department conducts both applied research and applications development of robotic systems producing numerous patents and deployment of systems. The department conducts numerous active research, development, and application projects for a variety of customers, both internal to Sandia and across the national security establishment. The department also collaborates heavily with partners across Sandia. The department is one of five in the Critical Asset Security for ND Group within the Weapon and Force Protection Center.

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:

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. 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.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

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.

Position Information:

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.

Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.

Job ID: 695124

Job Family: 92

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: F