Description

What Your Job Will Be Like

We are seeking a Summer - R&D Undergraduate Intern from one of the university partners in the Consortium for Research and Education in Power and Energy Systems (CREPES) (Florida International University, University of Texas at El Paso, or Alabama A&M University) to join our research organization during the summer of 2026. This initiative is sponsored and funded by the NNSA Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program (MSIPP) for Sustainable STEM Workforce.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Collaborate with a mentor and a team of researchers for a specific project and task.
• Perform valuable research and development to solve complex problems.
• Gather and analyze data for grid, energy systems, and cyber-physical system to help answer complex research questions.
• Work on power & energy systems, in areas such as:
  • Grid security
  • Data center grid integration
  • Complex optimization and forecasting
  • Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and data science
  • Real-time simulation in smart grid operations
  • Power market and reliability
  • Power system modeling, control, and optimization,
  • Economic operation of power systems
• Work on cyber-physical systems, in areas such as:
  • Cyber resiliency and cyber threats for control centers
  • Cyber-physical test bed
  • Data sharing and analytics including privacy
  • SCADA and Communications
  • Cybersecurity and cyber attack in smart grid
  • Smart grid vulnerability
  • Data analytics

Salary Range

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.

Qualifications We Require

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

• Currently attending and enrolled full time in the spring term immediately preceding the internship (or scheduled to graduate in the spring) in an accredited undergraduate program
• Pursuing a science, engineering, or math major
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Ability to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer
• U.S citizens, legal permanent residents, asylees or refugees in the U.S.

Note: If you have not earned a HS diploma or equivalent, please apply to a high school intern position.

Qualifications We Desire

• Currently attending and enrolled full time (or scheduled to graduate in the spring) in an accredited science, engineering, or math graduate program at one of the following CREPES partner universities: Florida International University, University of Texas at El Paso, or Alabama A&M University
• Majoring in an engineering or related scientific field
• Interest in Power and Energy Systems and/or Cyber-Physical Systems
• Experience coding or in software development
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to work in a team environment

Posting Duration

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.

About Our Team

The Electric Power Systems Research Department conducts R&D and advanced analytics to enable the modernization of the nation's electric power grid. This work includes the development of improved planning and operations methodologies from the bulk system down to end users. Our capabilities encompass the development and application of advanced algorithmic and computational methods, grid operations, economics, and policy. Examples of specific core areas include power system dynamics, operational reliability, electricity market development, smart grid technologies and related information analysis, optimal resource expansion, and computationally based decision support. This department is highly inter-disciplinary, working collaboratively with universities, utilities, government agencies, and both national and international research organizations.

The MSI Partnership Program (MSIPP) is designed to advance the Department of Energy's (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) workforce development and research priorities by building strong collaborations with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The program focuses on strengthening institutional capacity, advancing research capacity, and enhancing pathways for students in STEM disciplines to pursue careers in the nuclear security enterprise. Since its inception, MSIPP has focused on building institutional capacity at MSIs and creating robust career pathways to DOE laboratories, plants, and sites. Together, these programs foster excellence in STEM education and advance the mission of supporting the Nation's nuclear security needs.

About Sandia

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.

Security Clearance

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.

EEO

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.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs

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.