Description

What Your Job Will Be Like

Are you interested in developing transformational pulsed power capabilities and learning from elite scientists and engineers advancing science on the world's premier pulsed power facilities? Undergraduate science and engineering students interested in learning and contributing to cutting edge research in pulsed power science, engineering and technology are encouraged to apply for summer 2026 internships. Pulsed power compresses energy in both time and space and can generate short electrical pulses with more power than the world's total electrical power capability. Sandia is a world leader in pulsed power and its applications to study radiation effects, materials properties under extreme conditions, and inertial confinement fusion. Our team is rapidly developing the advanced pulsed power components and subsystems to execute the ZX Initiative, which aims to double the stored energy and delivered power of the world's largest experimental pulsed power facility.

As an intern, you will join the team that will be part of the Science of Extreme Environments Research and Innovation (SEERI). This will include an opportunity to participate in a seminar series on the fundamentals of pulsed power and tours of cutting edge pulsed power facilities.

Our program is highly interdisciplinary and designed for students pursuing degrees in the following majors (in alphabetical order):

• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering
• Physics

Some of the potential areas of research include experiments, modeling and simulation of transformational pulsed power components and systems including:

• High-voltage, high-current switches and associated gas physics
• High-voltage insulators and interfaces, including novel materials to increase breakdown thresholds
• Controlled breakdown of dielectric fluids
• Power flow in magnetically insulated transmission lines
• Surface treatments to minimize thermal desorption during rapid heating of high-power vacuum transmission lines
• Development of improved spectroscopic and/or laser-based diagnostics

You will have an opportunity to learn from and work with a diverse group of Sandia staff, technologists, postdocs, and fellow student interns. Sandia, and our team, highly value supporting interns in their professional and academic growth.

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

• Assemble, operate, and troubleshoot laboratory-scale experiments evaluating pulsed power component performance
• Design apparatuses to couple new diagnostics to pulsed power platforms
• Perform finite element analysis, particle-in-cell, or fluid simulations of high voltage systems, including dielectric breakdown and plasma phenomena
• Assist with data collection and analyze large datasets from pulsed power experiments
• Document your findings in reports, presentations, and/or journal articles

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

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

• Cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4.0
• Experience with pulsed power science and technology
• Experience with radiation, electrical and/or high energy density science
• Experience with laboratory equipment and data collection
• Experience with modeling and simulation of electromagnetic and/or fluid phenomena
• Knowledge of engineering fundamentals and engineering analysis and design
• Computer skills including Microsoft office, data analysis, reporting, and programming
• Experience documenting and presenting work in reports, memos, and presentations

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

Department 1656, part of the Pulsed Power Science and Technology group (1650), is dedicated to advancing the capabilities of the Z-machine and future high-energy density machines. We lead the development of advanced pulsed power energy storage and switching technologies. Our focus includes pioneering research in advanced Marx technology, new capacitor assessments, and innovative gas switch advancements. By collaborating closely with sister departments in 1650, we aim to rapidly advance the state of the art in pulsed power, addressing the ZX Initiative and preparing for the design of next-generation pulsed power machines. We led design of the injector for the cutting-edge Scorpius flash x-ray radiography system and continue overseeing assembly and commissioning. The Injector final assembly and commissioning will occur at the North Las Vegas facility before being installed underground at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS).

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.