Senior/Principal R&D Cybersecurity - Semiconductor Fabrication Process Engineer, Onsite

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 R&D engineers, scientists, and cybersecurity specialists motivated to positively impact the security of the nation. We are specifically looking for people with research experience related to semiconductor devices, processing, and failure analysis. Our research group develops advanced microelectronics hardware assessment capabilities to support a broad range of growing and evolving National Security missions. We are regularly called on to:

• Perform innovative and creative research utilizing Sandia's unique microelectronic hardware security and cyber capabilities to develop protective technologies and evaluate hardware for high consequence systems.
• Work collaboratively with professionals across Sandia and at partner organizations to develop protective technologies and tools to secure the nation's most critical applications.
• Lead for one or more hardware-based microelectronics assurance projects.
• Build professional relationships with external sponsors and serve as a semiconductor subject matter expert in a small group setting or as part of a large audience presentation.

Our team members enjoy a healthy work-life balance. We have opportunities for leadership (technical and personal), travel (domestic and international), training (internal and external), continuing education (internal, external, and university-based), and collaboration (academic, industry, and government). Relocation will be provided for those that qualify.

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

Salary Range

$117,500 - $235,700

*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 a relevant discipline and five (5) years of directly relevant experience, 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 DOE Q and SCI clearance which may require a polygraph test.

Qualifications We Desire

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

• Graduate degree in Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Computer Forensics, Mathematics or a directly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience in one or more of the following: reverse engineering, software vulnerability assessment, web application assessment, computer networking, computer architecture, compilers, or similar computer security topics.
• Proficiency in scripting or high-level programming.
• Familiarity with secure-system design principles and information assurance principles.
• Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to develop technical ideas and results and present them in oral and written form in a concise manner.

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

• Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or another relevant STEM field.
• Experience with semiconductor device fabrication, including device testing, materials characterization, or failure analysis work.
• Experience with Artificial Intelligence hardware platforms (GPUs, HBMs, etc.).
• Direct experience as a process or equipment engineer supporting the fabrication of state-of-the-art microelectronics (lithography, etch, thin films, chemical-mechanical polish, packing/heterogeneous integration, etc.)
• Experience in failure analysis of state-of-the-art microelectronics.
• Experience with common materials analysis tools (e.g., SEM, FIB, AFM, TEM, STM, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining effective relationships with external sponsors.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a team environment.
• Active DOE Q and SCI security clearance.

About Our Team

This department focuses on developing and executing microelectronics hardware analysis research programs, working collaboratively with Sandia's S&T community and external partners to inform and engage them in mission-enabling applied research for a variety of national security customers. In addition, this department is responsible for providing mission leadership to Sandia's state-of-the-art assessment capabilities that enable solutions to a breadth of embedded system and microelectronics measurement and analysis problems.

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 and SCI access, both of which require US citizenship. SCI access may also require a polygraph examination. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain these levels of access 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 the 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.