Manager - Energy Storage and Switching (1656) - Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a Manager for Energy Storage and Switching to lead innovative teams in advanced pulsed power research. The role involves overseeing projects, managing a talented workforce, and collaborating across departments to enhance high-energy density physics initiatives. The position is onsite in Albuquerque, NM, with potential relocation assistance. Competitive salary and benefits are offered, including flexible work arrangements for many positions.
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 vacations, 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 dynamic team as the Manager, R&D, where you will lead innovative teams of scientists, engineers, and technologists in the exciting field of advanced pulsed power components and concepts. Your leadership will be pivotal in driving groundbreaking research in areas such as advanced Marx technology, new capacitor assessments, and gas switch advancements, including SF6 replacements. You will collaborate with diverse groups within Sandia, including departments in 1650 and groups in 1600, to upgrade the Z-machine and create the future of high-energy density physics drivers, including the ZX Initiative and the Next Generation High Energy Density (NG-HED) facility.In this role, you will spearhead efforts to double the energy storage capacity of the Z Marx facility and oversee the injector assembly and commissioning for the cutting-edge Scorpius flash x-ray radiography system, set to be installed underground at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS).

On any given day, you may be called upon to do the following:

Provide technical leadership and assure the successful execution of ongoing projects.

Leverage your mission knowledge to independently assess work quality, performance, and alignment with organizational goals.

Collaborate with teams in 1650 and across 1600 to identify and pursue high-impact research directions.

Manage and mentor a talented workforce, focusing on hiring, professional development, and performance management in alignment with our mission.

Lead the implementation of safe and secure work practices across all operations.

Plan and coordinate a diverse range of R&D activities and processes for innovative technological initiatives.

Due to the nature of the work the selected applicant must be able to work onsite in Albuquerque, New Mexico Relocation will be provided for those that qualify.

Salary Range:

$157,100 - $267,000
• 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:

Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Plasma Physics, or related fields (Physics, Chemistry, Materials, Mechanical Engineering, etc.) plus four or more years of directly related experience

A proven track record of technical accomplishments and innovation

Able to acquire and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

Experience with pulsed power technologies or materials for components

Minimum of two years of leading or managing teams, projects, or programs in multidisciplinary research

A strong commitment to safe operations in complex laboratory environments

Experience collaborating successfully with colleagues at universities and other national labs

Exceptional interpersonal skills, including outstanding written and oral communication and negotiation abilities

About Our Team:

Department 1656, part of the Pulsed Power Science and Technology group (1650), is dedicated to advancing the capabilities of the Z-machine and future high-energy density machines. As we transition from our current project with the Scorpius radiography system in FY2026, we will lead the development of advanced energy storage and switching technologies. Our focus includes pioneering research in advanced Marx technology, new capacitor assessments, and innovative gas switch advancements. By collaborating closely with sister departments in 1650, we aim to rapidly advance the state of the art in pulsed power, addressing the ZX Initiative and preparing for the design of next-generation machines in the 2030s. Key initiatives in support of ZX led by 1650 in the next four years include Marx upgrades, Marx switch upgrades, Laser Triggered Gas Switch upgrades, and demonstration of the integrated performance of these subsystems in a full scale ZX test line on the Z facility. This team is part of the Radiation, Electrical and High Energy Density Science (REHEDS) Research Foundation at Sandia.

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:

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: 695168

Job Family: RD

Regular/Temporary Position: R

Full/Part-Time Status: F