Shock Physics Analyst

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.

Are you passionate about your work and dream of utilizing state-of-the-art facilities to explore solutions? Join a team that helps tackle some of the most challenging issues facing our nation’s security!

We are seeking an early-career engineer to work on the leading edge of computational shock physics, performing high-fidelity analyses for broad national security applications. You will use state-of-the-art software for preparing analysis results and will help guide the development of the next generation of shock physics applications at Sandia.

On any given day, your duties will include:

• Using leading-edge computational tools such as CTH and Zapotec to simulate shock mechanics response of systems of interest to the federal national-security complex.
• Working individually or as part of a close-knit interdisciplinary team on the design and analysis of high-explosives experiments carried out at Sandia and at other government sites.
• Providing technical suggestions to Sandia code developers for improvements to our resident shock analysis tools, and on next-generation tool development for mission needs.
• Learning from other shock physics analysts about the effective use of Sandia’s shock tools.

• Master’s degree in civil/structural or mechanical engineering or an equivalent STEM field
• One years’ experience with Sierra or CTH (or equivalent large-scale solid mechanics applications)
• Experience with experimental testing and computational simulation in the high strain rate regime, for example, explosives, impacts, crashes
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q Clearance

• Experience with uncertainty quantification using DAKOTA (or equivalent package) and with coupled shock-system codes such as Zapotec (or equivalent)
• Background in shock physics theory and practice
• Intrinsic motivation as a self-starter working individually or with a hardworking and very successful team
• Must provide three references from relevant specialists familiar with the applicant’s current and/or previous work

Engineering Sciences’ Computational Shock Physics group (Organization 1555) develops high-performance applications for simulating the shock response of solids and energetic materials. Among our capabilities is the structured shock code CTH, as well as various usability tools that support CTH and related physics applications. Our department includes staff members that work in software development, software quality, shock physics analysis, and associated experimental efforts used to validate our software tools and our analyses. We partner with Org 1540 to develop code couplings of CTH with other tools such as the Zapotec coupling of CTH and Sierra/SM. Our current work is focused on modernizing the CTH code base to support next-generation HPC systems and to bring leading-edge software quality techniques to this mission-critical application.

This Limited Term Employee (LTE) position is a temporary position for one year term, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to a maximum of seven years.

Individuals in LTE 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.

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.

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.

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.