Graduate Fall Intern – Modeling and Analysis of Distributed Hybrid Energy Systems

National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Colorado; On-site; USD 45,000 - 71,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

medical, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) Employee Savings Plan with ERS

sick leave

Job summary

National Renewable Energy Laboratory is seeking a Graduate Fall Intern to design and optimize distributed hybrid energy systems. The role focuses on integration across generation, storage, distribution, and chemical end-uses, with emphasis on real-time scalable analyses using tools like H2Integrate.

Ideal candidates are pursuing advanced degrees, have Python experience, and can contribute to publishing results and presenting at conferences.

Qualifications

• Minimum GPA 3.0 or higher.
• Undergraduate: enrolled full-time in a bachelor’s program.
• Post undergraduate: bachelor’s degree within past 12 months; internship up to one year.
• Graduate: enrolled full-time in a master’s program.
• Post graduate: master’s degree within past 12 months; internship up to one year.

Responsibilities

• Design and run analyses and optimizations of distributed hybrid energy systems.
• Determine optimal sizing both technically and economically.
• Deploy scalable real-time strategies for varying plant sizes.
• Publish results in technical journals and present at conferences.
• Support development of new proposals and reviews.

Skills

Python programming

Distributed hybrid energy systems

Modeling chemical processes

Education

Bachelor's degree (within past 12 months)

Master's degree (within past 12 months)

PhD student (enrolled)

Tools

H2Integrate

High performance computing

Job description

Posting Title Graduate Fall Intern – Modeling and Analysis of Distributed Hybrid Energy Systems

Location CO - Boulder

Position Type Intern (Fixed Term)

Hours Per Week 40

Working at NLR

NLR’s 305-acre Flatirons Campus is the nation’s premier wind energy, water power, and grid integration research facility. Nestled south of Boulder, Colorado, and north of NLR’s main South Table Mountain campus, Flatirons Campus sits adjacent to the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge and countless acres of open space and parks with stunning views of the Flatirons rock formations. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world‑class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost‑effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth. At NLR, you’ll find a mission‑driven environment supported by state‑of‑the‑art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well‑being.

Job Description

NLR is seeking a graduate fall intern design and optimize distributed hybrid energy systems focused on producing chemical end‑uses. This will feature integration of technologies such as across generation, storage, the distribution system, and chemical end‑uses. The intern will design and run analyses and optimizations of distributed hybrid energy systems to determine optimal sizing technically and economically. The researcher will need to deploy scalable strategies for varying hybrid plant sizes in real‑time. The researcher will use a variety of simulation tools including, H2Integrate. This researcher is expected to demonstrate a broad understanding and wide application of engineering principles, theories and concepts as well as general knowledge of hybrid energy related disciplines and applications. The researcher will work with a variety of customers including federal, state, and industry partners. The successful candidate will have excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills. The candidate will be expected to help publish results in technical journals/conference proceedings and present work at conferences, symposia, and sponsor review meetings. They will also be expected to support the development of new work proposals, preparations, and reviews.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
• Undergraduate: Must be enrolled as a full‑time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.
• Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
• Graduate: Must be enrolled as a full‑time student in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution.
• Post Graduate: Earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
• Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.
• Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts, as part of the application process.
• If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

The preferred candidate will have experience with distributed hybrid energy system design and experience with modeling chemical processes such as ammonia. The preferred candidate will have experience with Python programming languages and be comfortable working in high performance computing environments.

Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full‑time 40 hours per week) Job Profile: / Annual Salary Range: $44,500 - $71,200 NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

• medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*
• sick leave (where required by law)

NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance‑, merit‑, and achievement‑based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits. * Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this requirement.

Drug Free Workplace

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug‑free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug‑Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre‑employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre‑employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre‑employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

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