Intern, R&D Graduate Summer

About the Role

We are looking for talented graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics fields to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to engage in impactful educational workforce development initiatives. As part of our team, you will have the chance to participate in advanced research projects, collaborate with and learn from leading experts, and contribute to groundbreaking solutions that have significant implications for national security and scientific progress. Students will also be expected to work full time onsite for the duration of their summer experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research under the guidance of experienced mentors.
• Design and implement experiments, simulations, or computational models.
• Analyze complex data sets and interpret results to draw meaningful conclusions.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop innovative approaches to research challenges.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and publications to communicate research findings.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Earned bachelor's degree.
• Currently attending and enrolled full time in the spring term immediately preceding the internship (or scheduled to graduate in the spring) in an accredited science, engineering, or math graduate program.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0.
• Ability to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer.
• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g., Python, C++, MATLAB).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a hands-on, technical approach.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Passion for research and a strong desire to contribute to national security and scientific advancement.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Cybersecurity, Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.

About Sandia National Laboratories

Sandia National Laboratories is a premier research and development institution that delivers essential science and engineering solutions to the United States' most pressing national security challenges. Our mission is to ensure the security and reliability of the nation's nuclear deterrent, while also addressing a wide range of energy, environmental, and cybersecurity issues. The Securing Top Academic Research Talent (START) Intern Institute is designed to help increase the national security workforce capacity and resiliency. This is achieved through strategic partnerships that enable mission relevant research collaborations, and that promote impactful workforce development opportunities. These partnerships are extended to universities across the country, to include HBCUs, that have research expertise and capabilities that align with several critical mission areas at 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.

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.