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 Postdoctoral Appointee with a background in R&D AI/ML engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or atmospheric science to work with a multi-disciplinary team to develop architectures to solve sensing and control problems related to turbulent atmospheric flows. The work will center around investigation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) flight dynamics/control in turbulent flows including optimal control with model-based and data-driven approaches. On any given day, you may be called on to: • Develop cutting-edge machine-learning approaches related to wind sensing, flight dynamics, and control performance including reinforcement and supervised learning for UAS flight in atmospheric turbulence. • Post-process simulated and measured results to assess quantities of interest for UAS flight. • Work with a dynamic team of researchers, developers, experimentalists, and model analysts working to solve challenging multi-physics problems. The selected applicant can work a combination of onsite and offsite work. The selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary. This position is located in Albuquerque, NM, and the annual salary for this position is $98,500. Qualifications We Require • PhD in engineering, physics, applied mathematics, computer science or other relevant field • Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance Qualifications We Desire • Demonstrated experience in flight dynamics and control including turbulence compensation • Demonstrated experience with real-time control applications including reinforcement learning and/or model-predictive control • Demonstrated experience with ML approaches for extracting features from large dataset • Demonstrated experience coding in Python • Ability to work in Linux environment with computing clusters • Experience interfacing with drone controllers such as PX4 or ArduPilot • Experience with distributed memory MPI programming • Experience with collaborative software design, development, and testing processes • Experience with the application of statistical methods, data analytics, or machine learning to enrich experimental or computational data sources • Experience with visualization of complex 3D flow fields • Experience modeling unsteady wind loads from atmospheric flows • Knowledge of high-fidelity flow simulation methods, actuator-disc methods, and turbulence modeling approaches About Our Team The Aerodynamic Technology & Energy Systems department conducts advanced research in airflow and structural dynamics, and develops innovative wind energy technologies. We apply deep expertise in engineering, materials, and data science, including AI/ML, to evaluate aerostructural and aeroelastic properties of aerodynamic systems, with a focus on high-fidelity modeling and simulation and verification & validation (V&V). Our expertise also includes data analytics, advanced manufacturing of aero and hydro rotor technology, composite materials applications, advanced instrumentation development, novel remote power generation, and energy systems integration. Through partnerships with industry, academia, other National Labs, and public dissemination of results, Sandia serves an important role in energy security for the nation. 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 L-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 the 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. Position Information This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment. Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.