New

Senior/Principal Computer Scientist - Optimization & Operations Researcher, Hybrid

Sandia National Laboratories
$117,500 - $235,700
401(k), relocation assistance
United States, New Mexico, Albuquerque
1515 Eubank Boulevard Southeast (Show on map)
Jan 16, 2026
Apply for Job Job ID 696661 Location Albuquerque, NM Full/Part Time Full-Time Regular/Temporary Temporary Add to Favorite Jobs Email this Job 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 The Discrete Math and Optimization Department advances mathematical and computational capabilities to address Sandia's critical mission challenges. We are seeking an innovative Computer Science- Optimization and Operations Researcher to lead R&D efforts within our diverse team. In this role, you will drive impact and progress by: Designing and implementing novel optimization algorithms and advanced operations research methods. Applying mathematical modeling to critical domains, including power grid modeling and analysis, cybersecurity, process systems engineering, and national security logistics. Developing robust, scalable software tools that empower mission partners and advance the capabilities of the global scientific community. Collaborating across disciplines to bridge the gap between theoretical mathematics and practical, real-world applications and solutions. Sharing results via high-impact publications and presentations to funding agencies, stakeholders, and the broader research community. Hybrid Work: The selected applicant can work a combination of onsite and offsite work as appropriate. The selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location. 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 clearance. Qualifications We Desire The ideal R&D S&E Computer Science candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will alsopossess the following: Graduate degree in Computer Science or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation). Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and a passion to improve and expand technical skills. In addition, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience: Education: A PhD in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, Operations Research, or a closely related quantitative field, along with a Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline. Optimization Expertise: Demonstrated experience with major optimization paradigms, including Linear Programming (LP), Mixed-Integer Programming (MIP), Stochastic Programming, and/or Nonlinear Programming (NLP), or advanced Constraint Programming. Software Engineering: Proficiency in Python and experience with modern software development and engineering practices, including version control (e.g., GitLab), testing, and collaborative coding workflows. Research Track Record: A record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations at major scientific conferences demonstrating research leadership, combined with a history of successful project delivery, implementation, and/or technology transfer. Team Leadership and Collaboration: Proven experience as a constructive and inclusive team lead or member within a diverse, interdisciplinary research environment, demonstrating responsibility and responsiveness in project execution. Advance OR Methods: Expertise in theoretical and computational aspects of Mixed Integer Programming (MIP), Stochastic Programming, and other algorithms for discrete optimization. Domain Expertise: Applied experience in one or more critical areas: process systems engineering, dynamic optimization and control, and/or electric grid modeling and analysis. Computational Tools: Competence and familiarity with high-performance scientific computing, experience leveraging optimization solvers (e.g., CPLEX, Gurobi, and Ipopt) and modeling environments (e.g., Pyomo and JuMP), and proficiency in programming languages for scientific computing (e.g., C/C++ and Julia). A track record of contributing to open-source research software and leveraging high-performance computing environments to solve complex optimization problems. Sponsor Engagement: Proven ability to engage effectively with program managers, funding agencies, and other stakeholders to align research goals with mission priorities. About Our Team The Discrete Math and Optimization Department conducts research and development mathematics and computing in support of Sandia missions. Principle areas of focus include graph algorithms, parallel computing, combinatorial optimization, and integer programming. Enabling technologies and software tools are important products of the department. The department works on a wide variety of application areas including scientific computing, systems software, logistics, and sensor placement. The Discrete Math and Optimization Department advances the mathematical and computational capabilities that support Sandias critical missions. We are a team of researchers pioneering solutions across core focus areas: Foundational Research: Graph algorithms, combinatorial optimization, and integer programming. Computational Systems: Quantum computing and high-performance software tools. Our work bridges theory and practice, delivering enabling technologies and cutting-edge software and tools that drive solutions across a wide variety of high-impact application areas, including quantum computing, scientific computing, systems software, logistics, and sensor placement. 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. 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.