Solar Photovoltaics System Engineer (Experienced)

Posting Duration:

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.

Salary Range:

$99,700 - $196,100

*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.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking an R&D Systems Research Analyst to conduct studies on performance and reliability modeling of PV technologies.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Develop and/or improve models that predict PV performance

• Contribute to open-source software libraries and publish validation datasets

• Publish the results of your research in peer-reviewed technical journals, presents at conferences and workshops, and develop open-source code to support best practices in the field

• Provide technical oversight and mentorship to student interns, postdocs, and other staff

• Propose ideas for new work and projects

• Partner with industry stakeholders and our sponsor, DOE.

The immediate focus of the position is to improve existing PV performance models and analyze performance data from research PV modules and systems deployed at Sandia’s Photovoltaic Systems Evaluation Laboratory. There are also numerous opportunities for applying analysis methods to other datasets and projects within the PV group and elsewhere at Sandia.

Sandia provides an intellectually stimulating environment with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. We work with industry finding cutting edge solutions and developing next-generation technologies. We are seeking a hardworking, dedicated, and curious engineer to join our team.

This position is eligible for telecommuting and the selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary.

Qualifications We Require:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical sciences, mathematics, computer science or other relevant discipline and 5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Experience with photovoltaic performance modeling

• Experience with programming languages, such as Python

Qualifications We Desire:

• Experience with pvlib-python.

• Ability to handle large quantities of data.

• Demonstrated ability to write and publish in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.

• Established professional reputation in the solar energy and photovoltaics field (e.g., reviewer, session chair, etc.)

• Excellent written and speaking communications skills

• Contributions to open-source software libraries

About Our Team:

The Photovoltaics & Materials Tech Department, part of Sandia's Renewable Energy Technologies Group, conducts research and development and applies real world solutions to increase the viability of sustainable and clean energy systems. Research focuses on solar energy photovoltaics (PV), materials chemistry, and device integration for energy generation and energy efficiency. We apply PV and materials research to the following areas: PV cell technologies including Si, CdTe and CIGS thin films, and emerging technologies (i.e., perovskites), advanced PV module designs (i.e., bifacial, split cells conformable), and PV + Storage.

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 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.

Security Clearance:

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. 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.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

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.

Job ID: 686500