Undergraduate​/Graduate; Spring​/Summer) Intern - Cyber Security Research – 5G

Posting Title Undergraduate / Graduate (Spring / Summer) Intern
- Cyber Security Research – 5G.Location CO
- Golden.

Position Type Intern (Fixed Term).Hours Per Week
40.Working at NLRNLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.

Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions.

Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description The National Laboratory of the Rockies’ (NLR) cybersecurity research is strengthening our grid against tomorrow's threats. The selected intern would join the Cyber Mission Assurance team to support research efforts within the Cybersecurity Research Center’s portfolio including:

Characterization of the potential for U.S. electric grid disruption from natural hazards and human threats

Assessment of the cybersecurity of distributed energy systems

Strengthening the resilience of the U.S. electric grid

The Cyber Mission Assurance team is looking for talented Software or AI Engineering interns to help build intelligent, data-driven applications for 5G and emerging 6G networks. This internship focuses on developing RIC rApps, xApps, and dApps, along with NWDAF-based analytics, enabling closed-loop automation and AI-powered optimization across the RAN and core network.

Interns will work on cloud-native, microservice-based systems that apply machine learning and advanced analytics to real network data, contributing to next-generation autonomous networks.

Key Responsibilities Design and implement RIC applications :rApps (non-real-time optimization and policy-driven automation) xApps (near-real-time RAN control and optimization) dApps (distributed and domain-specific intelligent network functions)
Develop and enhance NWDAF analytics functions for performance monitoring, prediction, anomaly detection, and optimization

Build AI/ML models for network intelligence (forecasting, classification, reinforcement learning, root-cause analysis)
Implement closed-loop automation workflows using AI insights and RIC control interfaces

Develop cloud-native microservices using containers and Kubernetes Integrate with O-RAN and 3

GPP interfaces (A1, E2, O1, service-based APIs)
Process and analyze large-scale, time-series and streaming network data Collaborate with cross-functional teams on design, testing, and validation

Document software designs, experiments, and technical results

What you will learn:

End-to-end development of RIC rApps, xApps, and dApps in 5G/6G systems

Practical implementation of NWDAF-based analytics and AI pipelines

Applying AI/ML to closed-loop network automation

Building telecom-grade, scalable cloud-native software

Insights into 6G intelligence, autonomous networks, and standardization trends.

Basic Qualifications Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Undergraduate:
Must be enrolled as a…