Graduate; Power System Stability Analysis Intern

Graduate (6-12 months) Power System Stability Analysis Intern

Location: CO - Golden
Position Type: Intern (Fixed Term)
Hours Per Week: 40

National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado. NLR is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development, focused on advanced, secure, reliable, and cost‑effective energy solutions that strengthen U.S. industries and promote national economic growth.

We are seeking a motivated Power System Stability Analysis Engineer to join a cutting‑edge project focused on stability analysis of power systems with high penetration of Inverter‑Based Resources (IBRs). This role analyzes real‑time data from over 100 Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) to identify grid disturbances, detect oscillations, and assess system strength.

• Analyze PMU data to monitor power system stability and detect grid disturbances.
• Create visualizations of grid strength and stability (heat maps of grid inertia, voltage profile, equivalent short‑circuit ratio, etc.).
• Develop techniques to improve resilience and reliability of future power grids, especially in I ‑dominated systems.
• Produce detailed reports on oscillation detection, system strength assessment, and grid stability findings.
• Provide recommendations for mitigating potential stability risks.
• Collaborate with power system engineers, control experts, and software developers to refine models, improve analysis techniques, and support operational decision‑making.
• Contribute to technical documentation and generation of research papers.

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• Undergraduate:
  Full‑time enrollment in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.
• Post‑Undergraduate:
  Bachelor’s degree earned within the past 12 months; eligible for up to one year internship.
• Graduate:
  Full‑time enrollment in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution.
• Post‑Graduate:
  Master’s degree earned within the past 12 months; eligible for up to one year internship.
• Graduate + PhD:
  Completed master’s degree and currently enrolled as a PhD student from an accredited institution.

• Completed bachelor’s degree and either enrollment in or recent graduation from a master’s program, or enrollment in a PhD program in electrical engineering with a focus on power systems dynamics/stability.
• Demonstrated experience in power system stability analysis, especially in I ‑dominant grids.
• Proven experience in PMU data analysis, including oscillation detection, system stability analysis, and event identification.
• Knowledge of power system stability metrics such as Equivalent Short‑Circuit Ratio (ESCR), system inertia estimation, and oscillation mode identification.
• Experience in signal processing (time‑domain filtering, noise reduction, event detection) and frequency‑domain techniques (FFT, mode analysis).
• Proficiency in Python or another major programming language.
• Experience with power system simulation software (MATLAB/SIMULINK/PSCAD).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities with the capacity to work with large datasets and derive actionable insights.

• Current PhD student in electrical engineering with a power systems focus.
• Experience in frequency‑domain and time‑domain analysis for power systems.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; and sick leave where required by law. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, sexual orientation, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

All applicants are subject to the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program. For information about the right to work, please consult the E-Verify website.