Intern, R&D Graduate Summer - MSIPP PARTNERS, Onsite

We are seeking Summer - R&D Graduate Interns from PARTNERS universities (University of Central Florida, Florida A&M University, University of California Irvine), as part of the NNSA Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP), to work collaboratively with Sandia National Laboratories (Livermore, CA) R&D staff to perform cutting-edge research, analyze experimental data, develop models, and run simulations. Work tasks identified for interns include research in the following topic areas:

• Implement advanced optical and laser diagnostics to investigate complex reacting flows and quantify key physical and chemical processes
• Employ commercial CFD packages and high-fidelity research codes to simulate and analyze these processes
• Leverage collected experimental and simulation data to refine combustion models and develop predictive tools for devices and fuels
• Build data-acquisition and analysis systems, selecting hardware and using custom code alongside commercial acquisition, processing, and monitoring software
• Design, fabricate, install, and test electrical/mechanical components, instrumentation (pressure, temperature, flow), and control systems for optically accessible research facilities

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.

You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:

• Earned bachelor's degree
• Currently attending and enrolled full time in the spring term immediately preceding the internship (or scheduled to graduate in the spring) in an accredited science, engineering, or math graduate program
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Ability to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer
• U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, asylees, or refugees in the U.S.

Note: If you have not yet started your graduate program, please apply to an undergraduate intern position.

Some desired qualifications for a well-qualified intern would have experience in a following area:

• Currently attending and enrolled full time or scheduled to graduate in the Spring of 2026 from one of the university partners: University of Central Florida, Florida A&M University, or University of California Irvine.
• Desired Majors: Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Thermal and Fluid Science or similar
• Data analysis and programming experience in MATLAB and Python
• Modeling, simulation, and/or experimental research experience
• Research presentation at technical conferences
• Research publications in technical journals

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

The Partnership and Training for NNSA Engineering and Relevant Sciences (PARTNERS) team is a consortium of national laboratories (Sandia National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory) and universities (University of Central Florida, Florida A&M University, University of California Irvine) working together to increase the number of students that can obtain NNSA-relevant engineering degrees, enhancing the candidate pool for future DOE/NNSA and industry hires.

At Sandia you will work with an interdisciplinary team of researchers in engineering, physics, chemistry, geoscience, computer science and applied mathematics united by anticipating and delivering technical solutions to emergent challenges impacting the United States global security posture. We work closely with research centers across the lab and academia to cultivate broad and agile team of subject matter experts to accelerate the path to innovation while delivering impactful technical solutions to our partners in National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy.

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

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.