Intern, R&D Graduate Year Round - Power Flow & Energy Coupling, Onsite

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a year round graduate student intern to join a dynamic team conducting advanced pulsed power accelerator research at Sandia National Laboratories. Pulsed power is a broad, multidisciplinary field, so we invite applicants from several disciplines including electrical engineering, physics, mechanical engineering, and related fields.

On any given day, you may be called to conduct research in one of several topic areas such as:

• Experimental vacuum system design, construction, and operation in pulsed power laboratories

• Mechanical and/or electrical design and assembly of pulsed power equipment

• Measurements of materials outgassing and/or electrode desorption in extreme environments

• Modeling of advanced pulsed power system designs using state-of-the-art circuit and/or particle-in-cell research codes

• Development and analysis of novel plasma diagnostics (optical spectroscopy, laser probing) to understand plasma formation on electrodes in high-current pulsed power accelerators

• Development and testing of advanced magnetic field coil concepts for magnetized high-energy density physics experiments

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 (https://www.sandia.gov/app/uploads/sites/51/2024/12/Student-Rate-Sheet-2025.docx) .

Qualifications We Require:

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 an accredited science, engineering, or math graduate program

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0

• Ability to work up to 30 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer

• Ability to secure and maintatin a U.S. security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship

Qualifications We Desire:

• Outstanding academic record

• Experience with data acquisition and scientific analysis software such as MATLAB

• Experience analyzing experimental measurements involving visible spectroscopy and/or laser interferometry techniques with a focus on low density plasma measurements

• Experience at state-of-the-art pulsed power, high energy laser, and/or accelerator facilities

• Experience working in a team environment to define and solve challenging, complex problems

• Demonstrated experimental, analytical, and data management skills

• Outstanding communication skills as demonstrated in technical publications, reports, and/or technical project presentations

• A strong desire to work in a fast paced and technically challenging research 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:

Department 1659, part of the Pulsed Power Science and Technology group (1650), conducts experiments in support of power flow and energy coupling on Z and other small-scale facilities. We advance validated computational modeling for power flow design to simulate plasma formation on electrode surfaces. Our organization develops new systems for Z to provide in-situ electrode cleaning to mitigate or eliminate contaminant plasma formation on electrodes which limit current coupling efficiency. Furthermore, we evaluate advanced power flow coupling elements to provide faster risetimes and/or higher currents.The department also supports a variety of experimental capabilities, and diagnostics in service of the ICF, radiation effects, materials, pulsed power, and fundamental science missions on the Z accelerator. We steward the development of advanced magnetic field coils, fast gas-puff nozzles, and related applied high voltage technologies. We are responsible for the development and operation of advanced optical diagnostic technologies, such as Streak Visible Spectroscopy (SVS) and Z Line VISAR (ZLV), which are fielded on a very large fraction of experiments conducted at the Z Pulsed Power Facility.We also steward the Mykonos linear transformer driver (LTD) that delivers MA class current to a small target chamber in support of pulsed power and HED science. This facility allows for hands-on, pulsed power, experimental training for students and staff along-side senior Sandia scientists in an environment that is more accessible than the Z Facility. Our Mykonos Academic Access Program (MAAP) grants outside University access to the facility as part of the ZNetUS network and is a dynamic driver for exciting science and innovation.

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:

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. 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.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by the DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

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.

Job ID: 695444

Job Family: 91

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: P