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

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking an R&D cybersecurity-focused Semiconductor Fabrication Process Engineer to support microelectronics hardware security research and assurance activities for national security missions. The position emphasizes protective technology development and hardware evaluation, with onsite work required in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Role Summary

In this role, you will contribute to innovative microelectronics hardware security research and assurance, applying cybersecurity and microelectronics expertise to devices, processing, and failure analysis. Responsibilities include developing protective technologies and evaluating hardware for high-consequence systems to support mission needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct innovative and creative research using Sandia’s microelectronic hardware security and cyber capabilities to develop protective technologies and evaluate hardware for high-consequence systems.
• Collaborate with professionals across Sandia and partner organizations to create protective technologies and tools that help secure critical applications.
• Lead one or more hardware-based microelectronics assurance projects.
• Build relationships with external sponsors and serve as a semiconductor subject matter expert in small group settings or at larger presentations.

Required Qualifications

• 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 demonstrating the ability to perform independent research and development.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q and SCI clearance, which may require a polygraph test.

Additional Qualifications Desired

• A 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 required (for example, an independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience in 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 and information assurance principles.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to develop technical ideas and results and present them in oral and written form in a concise manner.
• Ph.D. experience in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or another relevant STEM field.
• Experience with semiconductor device fabrication, including device testing, materials characterization, or failure analysis.
• Experience with Artificial Intelligence hardware platforms (GPUs, HBMs, etc.).
• Direct experience as a process or equipment engineer supporting fabrication of state-of-the-art microelectronics (including lithography, etch, thin films, chemical-mechanical polish, packing/heterogeneous integration, etc.).
• Experience with failure analysis of state-of-the-art microelectronics.
• Experience with common materials analysis tools (e.g., SEM, FIB, AFM, TEM, STM, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining effective relationships with external sponsors.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment.
• Active DOE Q and SCI security clearance.

What Your Job Will Be Like

• Our research group develops advanced microelectronics hardware assessment capabilities supporting a broad range of National Security missions.
• Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

About the Team

This department develops and executes microelectronics hardware analysis research programs in collaboration with Sandia’s S&T community and external partners. The team provides mission leadership for Sandia’s state-of-the-art assessment capabilities addressing embedded system and microelectronics measurement and analysis challenges.

Location and Work Model

• Location: Albuquerque, NM
• Work arrangement: Onsite

Compensation

Salary range: USD 117,500 - 235,700 per year.

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 and Background Requirements

• Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review, including checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications.
• Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance and SCI access; both require US citizenship.
• SCI access may require a polygraph examination.
• If you hold more than one citizenship (US and another country), your ability to obtain these levels of access may be impacted.
• Applicants offered employment are subject to a federal background investigation if duties require a DOE security clearance.
• Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct, or other indicators of untrustworthiness can lead to clearance denial or termination by DOE, preventing performance of assigned duties and resulting in employment termination.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs

• If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED) (such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or other diagnostic equipment), you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements if employed.
• If you have a MedPED and are selected for an on-site interview, additional steps may be required to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements before the interview date.