Chief Of Staff Jobs in New Mexico
Chief Of Staff jobs in New Mexico concentrate in state government, defense contracting, healthcare administration, and higher education, with demand running from mid-level operational roles to senior executive positions. Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces account for the bulk of openings, anchored by employers such as Sandia National Laboratories, the University of New Mexico, and Presbyterian Healthcare Services. The most in-demand specialties are executive operations, strategic communications, and government affairs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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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
Do you want to have significant impact on delivering Sandia-designed hypersonic systems to the Nation? Few at Sandia Labs can influence all stages of system delivery from design to production and beyond.
We are looking for an experienced R&D S&E Systems Engineer to serve as the Chief Engineer for the 5428 Product Transition Department. You will be overseeing technical work for the team executing Sandia's technology transfer mission for Integrated Military System Development, specifically focused on supporting Hypersonic programs. This position requires a strong foundation in avionics/missile systems with deep understanding of both mechanical and electrical designs. Experience should emphasize design comprehension, system analysis, and testing at both the component and system levels. You will play a crucial role in leading design reviews and ensuring smooth technology transfer from Sandia designers to industry partner production teams. You will also help review the work of, and provide mentoring to Mechanical, Electrical, and Systems Engineers on the team.
On any given day, you may be called upon to:
Oversee the work of and provide recommendations to other engineers as the senior engineer on the team
Lead and Design for Excellence and Design for Manufacturability efforts, including influencing design engineers in the Center to include these considerations in their design work
Work with project and program management teams to ensure plans include considerations for Design for Excellence and Parts, Materials, and Process requirements from the start of design efforts.
Work with project management teams to ensure design definition packages include all necessary information, including testing requirements and pass/fail criteria, applicable assembly procedures, and other information prescribed by program sponsors
Review and approve proposed design changes, including consideration of system requirements and system architecture
Ensure the team¿s work is informed by and in compliance with system requirements
Assist production agents (industry partners) by troubleshooting issues, conducting root-cause analyses as needed, and identifying solutions to resolve production challenges
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to facilitate the transition of design packages from design to production.
Work effectively on both small and large development teams to achieve project goals.
Due to the nature of the work, this candidate must be able to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM. Periodic travel to remote test sites or production facilities for integration, system test, and/or flight-test support will be required, potentially as often as once every 1-2 months.
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
- 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.
- The ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance.
Qualifications We Desire
The ideal R&D Systems Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:
- Graduate degree in Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
- Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLNL) and Kansas City National Security Campus/New Mexico Operations (KCNSC/NMO).
- Experience working on engineering design, qualification, production, or related modeling/simulation projects.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:
- Degree and/or experience in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Systems Engineering.
- Significant experience designing and/or building avionic/missile systems in support of government programs.
- Significant understanding of component and system level requirements for missile systems, and how to effectively conduct mechanical and electrical tests during production to validate/verify compliance with those requirements.
- Clear understanding of Designing for Excellence (DFX) and ability to influence design engineers to use DFX principles to optimize production.
- Ability to understand complete designs of a hypersonic glide vehicle and/or other missile systems.
- Ability to review design change requests and understand how to determine whether that change might cause conflicts with requirements or system architecture.
- Ability to help review the work of, and provide mentoring to Mechanical, Electrical, and Systems Engineers on the team.
- Ability to work effectively on both small and large development teams internal and external to Sandia.
- Experience or knowledge in part and component selection supporting government programs, as well as considerations for Parts, Materials, and Processes (PMP) requirements.
- Experience with ESD control programs and safety when working in a laboratory or production environment (including IPC standards).
- Experience creating and understanding product documentation and records, design documents, assembly procedures, and Interface Control Documents.
- Experience working in a Design Agent and Production Agent collaborative situation.
- Commitment to developing yourself and your skill set.
- Outgoing personality with excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication, and proven cross-functional teaming skills.
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This job requires working onsite at Sandia Albuquerque and travel outside of NM, potentially as often as once every 1-2 months.
About Our Team
The Product Transition Department 5428 provides industry partner support for the Hypersonic Programs in the Strike Systems Group within the Integrated Military Systems Development Center at Sandia. 5428 coordinates the development of Mechanical, Electrical, and Avionics flight technologies to be assembled, integrated and tested by industry partners to provide flight solutions for hypersonic missile systems and related flight platforms. Typically, these systems support the DoW including Army, Navy, Air Force, and other Agencies. Center 5400 has successfully developed hypersonic systems for the nation and is extending our role on the national stage for both developmental and fieldable systems.
Our programs cover a broad spectrum of applications; from advanced aerodynamically controlled vehicles, to maneuvering hypersonic kill vehicles, to ballistic missile systems. All the activities require the extensive use of commonly developed Sandia avionics as well as prototype next generation technology that has never been flown. Levering existing technologies and maturing the Hypersonics portfolio for national needs is a demanding task and is a key component of rendering exceptional service in the National interest. The department strives to provide leadership to the Laboratory and the Nation in the creative development, use, and application of Hypersonic flight platforms.
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.
See All 26 Chief Of Staff Jobs in New Mexico
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Find Chief Of Staff JobsChief Of Staff Jobs by City in New Mexico
Where New Mexico roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Chief Of Staff Job Market in New Mexico
A snapshot from current New Mexico openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- US Department of Veterans Affairs6

- State of New Mexico5

- Los Alamos National Laboratory2

- Presbyterian Healthcare Services2

- MEA1M
Top Industries Hiring
- Government & Public Sector4
- Healthcare & Medical Services3
- Hospitality & Tourism2
- Education1
- Consulting & Professional Services1
What New Mexico Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chief of staff jobs across New Mexico.
- Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, or a related field required
- Five or more years of experience in senior operations or executive support roles
- Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional projects and executive-level priorities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for senior leadership audiences
- Experience with budget oversight, strategic planning, or policy development preferred
- Familiarity with New Mexico government, defense, or higher education environments valued
Chief Of Staff Jobs in New Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a chief of staff in New Mexico?
There is no state-issued license required to work as a chief of staff in New Mexico. Most hiring organizations expect a bachelor's degree, with many preferring a master's in business or public administration. Candidates typically build toward the role through senior operations, policy, or program management positions. In New Mexico's dominant sectors, such as state agencies, defense contractors, and university systems, prior experience inside those environments is a meaningful advantage.
Which companies hire chief of staffs in New Mexico?
Employers hiring chief of staffs in New Mexico right now include US Department of Veterans Affairs, State of New Mexico, and Los Alamos National Laboratory, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. New Mexico's defense research sector, large health systems, and state government agencies are among the most consistent sources of openings for this role.
Which New Mexico cities have the most chief of staff jobs?
Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Los Alamos hold the most chief of staff openings in New Mexico. Albuquerque dominates because it is home to the state's largest employers, including major health systems, federal research institutions, and the University of New Mexico, while Santa Fe draws openings from state government agencies and policy-focused organizations, and Las Cruces contributes roles tied to New Mexico State University and regional public sector employers.
Are there remote chief of staff jobs in New Mexico?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely analytical roles, since chief of staff work typically requires close proximity to executive leadership. About 0% of chief of staff openings tied to New Mexico are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with remote arrangements most often found in technology-adjacent organizations or roles focused on strategic communications and policy rather than day-to-day operational oversight.
How can I get hired as a chief of staff in New Mexico with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a senior coordinator, executive assistant, or program manager role at a large New Mexico employer such as the University of New Mexico, a state cabinet agency, or Presbyterian Healthcare Services. These organizations regularly promote internally into chief of staff positions. Building experience in budget management, stakeholder communications, or policy analysis strengthens a candidacy, and a master's degree in public administration from a New Mexico institution gives candidates an additional edge.
Where can I find and apply to chief of staff jobs in New Mexico?
You can find and apply to chief of staff jobs in New Mexico on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly.
See All 26 Chief Of Staff Jobs in New Mexico
Find roles in New Mexico that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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