Undergraduate​/graduate intern - software and data infrastructure autonomous thin film exper

National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado, and is the nation’s primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. NLR’s mission is to accelerate energy innovation through breakthrough research, systems integration and collaborative partnerships. The Materials Design and Discovery group is seeking an undergraduate or graduate intern to support the development of digital infrastructure for autonomous semiconductor processing and characterization systems.

Undergraduate/graduate intern – software and data infrastructure for autonomous thin film experimentation (Year‑Round)

The successful candidate will work closely with a multi‑disciplinary team to build the software and data infrastructure that enables autonomous operation of advanced semiconductor synthesis and characterization instruments. The role involves programming, integration, testing, deployment, and documentation of scientific instrumentation and laboratory automation systems.

• Develop and maintain Python software for scientific instrument control and laboratory automation.
• Implement APIs, communication interfaces, and messaging systems that connect distributed experimental instruments and control computers.
• Support real‑time data exchange, data management, and provenance infrastructure for autonomous experimentation workflows.
• Assist with integration, testing, debugging, deployment, and documentation of software systems.
• Develop tools for monitoring, logging, and visualization of experimental data and system status.

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Undergraduate applicants must be enrolled as full‑time students in a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited institution.
• Post‑undergraduate applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months and are eligible for an internship of up to one year.
• Graduate applicants must be enrolled as full‑time students in a master’s degree program at an accredited institution.
• Post‑graduate applicants must have earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months and are eligible for an internship of up to one year.
• PhD students who have completed a master’s degree and are currently enrolled in a PhD program at an accredited institution are eligible.

• Experience programming in Python.
• Familiarity with software development practices, including version control (e.g., Git).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies and experimental systems.

• Experience developing software for hardware interfacing, automation, laboratory systems, or scientific instrumentation.
• Experience with communication standards, protocols, and messaging technologies used for instrument integration and distributed systems (e.g., OPC UA, Modbus, MQTT, TCP/IP, SCPI).
• Experience with databases, data pipelines, or data management systems.
• Experience with machine learning, optimization, computer vision, or autonomous experimentation systems.
• Previous experience working with scientific instrumentation, laboratory automation, or experimental research environments.
• Interest in autonomous systems, scientific computing, robotics, or laboratory automation.

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

$34,800 – $55,700 (annual, based on full‑time 40 hours per week). Salary determination considers education, training, experience, expected quality of work, travel requirements, market conditions, internal balance and merit systems. Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act compliance applies; salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits for eligible participants include medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; and sick leave as required by law. Some positions may be eligible for relocation…