Post-Master's Student Intern

What You Will Do

The Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group (C-) at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a creative and motivated post‑master’s engineer or programmer to support the Radiochemistry and Counting Team. The team is responsible for the radiometric analysis of samples in support of national security and institutional programs, as well as research work in the areas of non‑proliferation, radiochemistry, and nuclear physics. For these missions, the team utilizes a wide variety of custom and commercial gamma spectrometry, alpha spectrometry, and beta counting systems, many with automated sample changing.

Over the last several years, many custom legacy systems have been modernized to some extent, but additional updates are needed while new systems must be designed to support various R&D efforts and meet growing operational needs. Additionally, commercial systems often require hardware or software modifications for integration into existing operational workflows.

The selected candidate will focus on counting system integration and modernization by developing software and/or control systems. Software applications typically control or communicate with detector and data acquisition hardware, schedule counting jobs, operate sample changers and other automation, and process data. These applications commonly interface with the web‑based Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and some development on this system may be required.

In regard to hardware, custom components are often designed, fabricated, and installed for sample changers and detectors, and counting systems also require periodic mechanical maintenance. Controllers and other electronic components are usually fabricated in‑house.

Thus, the successful candidate will have a strong background in engineering design, software development, or both, and be expected to:

• Execute multiple aspects of the system design lifecycle (requirements generation, prototyping, software development, fabrication and installation, testing and integration, maintenance, etc.) and/or the software development lifecycle (requirements generation, development, testing, deployment, maintenance, etc.)
• Properly document design work and software and create installation or user guides
• Assist with nuclear detector maintenance and daily counting system operations
• Support commercial system integration and repair

The Post‑Master’s category of the LANL student program applies to those who have been awarded a master’s degree within the past three years but have not yet been accepted into another master’s program or a PhD program. The chosen candidate may remain in this category for up to two years, and there may be an opportunity for conversion into a permanent position at the conclusion of the post‑master’s appointment.

• Solid technical background in a related area such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and/or nuclear engineering
• Experience performing various aspects of the engineering design process and/or software development process
• Experience developing custom software applications for automated electromechanical systems and/or computer‑based data acquisition systems
• Development and/or system administration on Linux or Windows systems
• Demonstrated experience programming in C/C++ and Python
• Ability to conduct work independently and on a small team
• Attention to detail and organizational skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance, which typically requires U.S. citizenship

• Experience using electronic test equipment and troubleshooting electronics
• Experience building/fabricating electrical assemblies and/or mechanical systems
• Experience with software version control
• User interface development experience
• Web development on the client‑side and/or server‑side
• Experience using engineering design software, particularly 3D CAD modeling, and prototyping components and/or assemblies
• Experience working in a nuclear environment and/or operating nuclear instrumentation
• Active DOE Q clearance

Position requires a master’s degree in engineering, computer…