About the role
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 a Manager to lead Sandia's Quantum Computer Science Department, a multidisciplinary R&D organization advancing foundational quantum computing research. The department includes staff scientists, postdoctoral researchers, student interns, and university collaborators working across the quantum computing stack, including qubit modeling, fault-tolerant architecture design, quantum algorithms and applications, logical qubit design, noise characterization, and system-level performance assessment.
The selected candidate will provide people, technical, operational, and strategic leadership for a high-performing research department. Key responsibilities include staff development, program development, sponsor engagement, strategic planning, and partnership building across Sandia, the broader national laboratory complex, academia, industry, and federal agencies.
The ideal candidate will bring technical credibility, intellectual curiosity, strong professional networks, and a demonstrated ability to lead high-risk, high-impact research in a multidisciplinary environment. This role offers the opportunity to shape Sandia's quantum information science strategy and help advance quantum technologies in support of national needs.
On any given day, you may be called on to
Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of staff scientists, postdoctoral researchers, students, and collaborators.
Partner with staff, managers, university collaborators, and sponsors to deliver on technical commitments.
Shape and communicate Sandia's strategy for quantum information science at the laboratory, regional, and national levels.
Represent Sandia's quantum computing and QIS portfolio to internal leadership, federal sponsors, academic partners, industry collaborators, and other stakeholders.
Develop new programs, partnerships, proposals, and technical directions aligned with Sandia's mission.
Serve as a program manager for selected quantum information science programs.
Recruit, hire, retain, mentor, and develop emerging and established QIS leaders.
Build and sustain trusted relationships across Sandia, government, academia, industry, and the national laboratory complex.
Collaborate with the Center 1400 management team to develop and execute strategic direction.
Maintain and grow an active research portfolio while connecting foundational research to Sandia's national security missions.
Foster an inclusive, collaborative environment where staff can thrive.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant is expected to work primarily from Sandia's Albuquerque, New Mexico site, which is preferred. Candidates located within commuting distance of Sandia's Livermore, California site or in the Washington, DC area may also be considered, provided they can engage directly with federal customers and travel as needed.
Salary Range
$163,700 - $278,000
*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
A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and eight (8) 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 acquire and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance and SCI access.
Qualifications We Desire
The ideal R&D S&E Manager for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:
Two or more years of demonstrated leadership experience.
A graduate degree in science or engineering (MS or Ph.D.).
Outstanding interpersonal skills in developing trusting relationships with peers, staff, management, customers, and stakeholders.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in the development and delivery of presentations, proposals, reports and documentation.
Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:
PhD in physics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field. Experience with one or more key elements of quantum computing systems, such as qubit hardware, modeling and simulation, software, logical architectures, fault tolerance, or quantum error correction.
Knowledge of complementary technical areas such as high-performance computing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, computational mathematics, or advanced simulation.
Experience with relevant mission domains, sponsors, or stakeholder communities, including NNSA, ASCR, national security programs, Department of Defense, or other federal agencies.
Current DOE Q-level security clearance and SCI access.
Demonstrated ability to develop technical strategy, identify emerging trends, and connect foundational research to mission applications.
Ability to build cross-cutting relationships with internal partners, universities, national laboratories, industry, and government organizations.
Demonstrated success recruiting, hiring, retaining, mentoring, and developing staff.
Experience leading or contributing to complex R&D projects with both open research and mission-relevant outcomes.
Demonstrated commitment to inclusive leadership, psychological safety, collaboration, and staff growth.
About Our Team
The Quantum Computer Science Department advances the foundations of practical, scalable quantum computing platforms. Our multidisciplinary team conducts research across the entire quantum computing stack, including qubit modeling, fault-tolerant architectures, quantum error correction, logical qubit design, quantum algorithms and applications, noise characterization, system performance assessment, and simulation methods for quantum system design and analysis.
The department is part of Sandia's broader quantum information science program and collaborates closely with experimental quantum hardware teams, Sandia's Quantum Performance Laboratory, DOE offices, other federal agencies, universities, industry partners, and the broader QIS research community. We also partner across Sandia in areas such as multiscale modeling, high-performance computing, machine learning, optimization, and advanced simulation.
Our work connects open, foundational research with Sandia's national security mission and provides opportunities to shape the future of quantum information science through high-impact technical leadership and collaboration.
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, 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: 699089
Job Family: RD
Regular/Temporary Position: R
Full/Part-Time Status: F