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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Cleared Senior/Principal W80-4/W80-5 JTA Test Lead - JTA Systems Team, Onsite - **Company:** Sandia Corporation - **Location:** Albuquerque, NM, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $117,500.0 - $235,700.0 - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Cyber Security, Programming Tools, Systems Integration, Integration Tests - **Published:** October 28, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.techcareers.com/job.asp?id=3475534583&tx=KL1717FFG&pt=1&aff=0B19D771-A501-4A5E-8338-2A822B784D54&utm_source=Job%20Feed&utm_medium=textkernel&utm_campaign=DE&utm_term=0B19D771-A501-4A5E-8338-2A822B784D54 ## About the Role The position requires an ability to travel up to 25% to support the mission. Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite 100% of the time., * 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. * Position requires an active US DOE Q-level security clearance, or equivalent DOD Top Secret level security clearance to start., * Graduate degree in Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation). * Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and Kansas City National Security Campus/New Mexico Operations (KCNSC/NMO). * Experience working on engineering design, qualification, production, or related modeling/simulation projects. * Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams. Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience: * Demonstrated leadership on a multidisciplinary team. * Experience with safety and security requirements for activity level work. * Experience with Nuclear Deterrence (ND) Product Realization and familiarity with processes within the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE). * Experience in working with DoD personnel supporting joint DOE/DoD testing. * Experience with systems engineering development tools, techniques, and management. * Experience with cybersecurity within DOE/DoD. * Coaching/mentoring skills; desire and ability to develop team members. * Proven project management skills. ## Description The W80-4/W80-5 JTA Systems Department has an immediate opening for an R&D Systems Engineer with a background in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems (or similar engineering field) to serve as the JTA Test Lead in a dual-program role on the team. The Test Lead will work closely with the Dept manager, the JTA team, and broader program communities for the W80-4 and W80-5, including National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and DoD partners integral to conducting the series of development system tests for qualification of the JTAs. Close interaction with key individuals across these organizations is required to ensure that technical and programmatic requirements are met. The JTA Test Lead position will provide the successful candidate significant career growth opportunities. Day-to-day responsibilities include: * Conduct programmatic and technical planning for W80-4 and W80-5 JTA and Flight Body designs and conduct system integration tests (functional electrical, mechanical, thermal, ground and integration tests, as well as flight tests) * Work closely with the JTA Qualification Leads on both programs to ensure test planning is aligned with requirements verification needs. * Problem-solving with multidisciplinary teams across the Nuclear Security Enterprise * Establish and maintain safety and security in field settings for the activity level work of flight testing Mechanical, Electrical, and Systems engineers within the Dept play a critical role in specifying and reviewing activities involving all aspects of the W80-4 and W80-5 JTA systems to establish flight test surveillance programs for these LEPs. Critical thinking skills are applied to design JTA systems, and to integrate components developed in other Orgs into the JTA system designs. Specific responsibilities of the Dept include: design, development, and qualification of the JTA system to closely simulate weapon performance in a surveillance environment, development of JTA system and component requirements, design and assembly of several different test units during development stages of the program, production support activities for JTA components, and testing of development ground and flight test units leading up to final JTA qualification., 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.