Intern, R&D Graduate Year Round - Experimental Solid Mechanics Department, Hybrid

What Your Job Will Be Like:

Join a diverse team that helps tackle some of the most challenging issues facing our nation's security! We are seeking a highly motivated student intern to join our dynamic team in the Structural Mechanics Laboratory (SML).

• Perform experimental mechanics testing on quasi‑static load frames with advanced diagnostic techniques to characterize materials and structures
• Set‑up, program and troubleshoot test equipment
• Organize test data and prepare test documentation
• Support research activities in the following areas: mechanical characterization of materials in normal and abnormal environments, mechanics of structural polymeric foams and metals, thermomechanical coupling, material model development, failure and fracture, and advanced experimental methods/diagnostic technique development
• Rigorous implementation of work planning and control processes to assure safe, secure, and high‑quality operations
• Work closely with engineers and other technologists in the SML to design, execute, analyze and communicate results to our customers

The selected applicant can work a combination of onsite and offsite work and must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary.

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 (https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).).

• 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

• Strong verbal and communication skills
• Ability to interact well with fellow technical workers of diverse technical background
• Desired degree majors:
  Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Optical, or Electrical Engineering or Engineering Physics
• Experience with classical mechanical testing equipment strain gauges, extensometers, load cells
• Experience programming in Lab View and Solidworks
• Experience and ability to troubleshoot on a variety of mechanical test frames and data acquisition systems
• Experience with advanced optical methods including digital image correlation (DIC), infrared thermography (IR), or other optical metrology

Sandia requires a pre‑employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE L‑level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (e.g., 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.

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.

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.