Intern, R&D Graduate Year-Round - Integrated Solar & Thermal Energy Systems, Onsite

What Your Job Will Be Like

We are seeking engineering graduate students in the Solar Thermal Technologies Department to assist our R&D staff with technology advancements, performance improvements, test design and data collection, modeling studies, and technoeconomic analyses at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF). The work performed by the student interns will support projects in supercritical CO2 systems, particle-based concentrating solar technologies, thermal energy storage components and integration to applications, molten salt projects, and solar thermal chemistry.

This work may include heat transfer/thermodynamic analysis, thermal analysis of high temperature falling particles, load analysis, system control software design, synthetic chemistry, and/or materials characterization. Understanding and adherence to applicable Sandia National Laboratories ES&H requirements and guidelines will be important for these positions.

On any given day, you may be asked to:

• Conduct R&D activities or projects under leadership of senior staff. These activities will often require working in teams that can include partners from other institutions;
• Assist in the development of proposals to seek funding from sponsors and customers for new or ongoing R&D projects in CSP;
• Assist in analysis of data, and assist in written dissemination of R&D outcomes;
• Potentially represent Sandia and the department in national or international conferences and publications.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

At Sandia, we value the important work done by our interns and its contribution to National Security. Because of this, our interns earn competitive pay rates. Our pay structure is based on earned credit hours, classification, and degree level. Your pay rate will be determined during the hire process and included in your offer package. You can view the Intern Pay Rate chart here.

You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:

• Earned bachelor's degree
• Currently attending and enrolled full time in an accredited science, engineering, or math graduate program
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Ability to work up to 30 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer
• U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, asylees or refugees in the U.S.

• Pursuing a graduate degree in one of the following areas: mechanical, systems, computer, electrical, or chemical engineering, or a graduate degree in computer or materials science.
• Some familiarity with Concentrating Solar Thermal technology and alternative energy
• Hands on experience working with pressure systems, flow diagrams, assembly of laboratory test stands for projects related to sCO2 heat exchangers
• Hands on chemical laboratory experience for Solar Thermal Chemical projects
• Experience with mechanical and electronic systems
• Demonstrated experience using MS Office and excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience using Lab View or any other DAQ/control software
• Experience with coding in python
• Experience in test operation and design
• Some experience with networking infrastructure
• Experience with Computer Aided Design
• Experience performing finite element analysis using software

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.

Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.

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…