Intern, R&D Graduate Year-Round - Polymers and Composites, Onsite

Job Overview

We are seeking a Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering Graduate Intern to join our team to support a range of projects related to our national security missions. Familiarity with retrosynthetic workflows and process flow diagrams is needed, with basic Python and chemical engineering knowledge is beneficial. The primary responsibility of this individual will be working closely with staff and technologists to support polymers investigations using a variety of polymeric and composite materials.

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

On any given day you may be called on to

• Develop retrosynthetic planning workflows to support new material synthesis and process design.
• Use hand-tools, mixers, spraying equipment, sanders or other common equipment as the job demands.
• Work with engineers to build prototypes for in-house development testing.
• Test materials and mechanical properties using standard chemical and mechanical analysis techniques.
• Document laboratory work and procedures including safety documents.
• Process data and communicate results to staff and customers.

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
• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship

• Pursuing a graduate degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Polymers Science
• Experience with chemical material handling including use of fume hoods and downdraft tables
• Experience maintaining laboratory operations and infrastructure
• Familiarity with retrosynthetic workflows and process flow diagrams is needed
• Basic Python and chemical engineering knowledge is beneficial

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.

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.

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.