Graduate Intern – Advanced Building Equipment Research Group

National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Colorado; On-site; USD 44,500 - 71,200; Full time

Job summary

National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado seeks a Graduate Intern for the Advanced Building Equipment Research Group to model and experimentally study heat and mass transfer in HVAC systems and buildings. You will join a team of researchers to develop and evaluate components and systems, including desiccant and conventional methods.

The role requires coursework in heat transfer, thermodynamics, and mass transfer, with strong modeling and experimental skills, plus MATLAB and Python

Qualifications

• Current graduate student with a strong academic record in heat and mass transfer, emphasizing modeling and experiments.
• Degree in mechanical engineering or related field; background in HVAC/refrigeration is valued.
• Strong interpersonal communication and ability to work independently.
• Experience with MATLAB, EES, Python or similar tools; familiarity with desiccants and absorption processes.

Responsibilities

• Improve and utilize existing numerical models of heat and mass exchangers.
• Design, develop, and analyze new HVAC processes and components.
• Perform laboratory experiments on fluid/thermal components.
• Publish papers in heat and mass transfer and energy journals.

Skills

Heat transfer

Mass transfer

Numerical modeling

HVAC fundamentals

Desiccants

MATLAB

Python

SolidWorks

Lab experiments

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Master's degree in progress

PhD student (optional)

Tools

SolidWorks

MATLAB

EES

Python

Job description

Posting Title Graduate Intern – Advanced Building Equipment Research Group

Location CO - Golden.

Position Type Intern (Fixed Term).

Hours Per Week 40.

Working at NLR NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. 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's Advanced Building Equipment Research group has an immediate opening for a graduate intern position focusing on modeling and experimental heat and mass transfer applied to HVAC systems and buildings. The successful candidate will join team members on cutting-edge laboratory and analytical projects to research, develop, and evaluate heat and mass transfer components and systems, including conventional and non-conventional dehumidification and desiccant systems. The successful candidate should have a strong background and understanding of heat and mass transfer, including theory, numerical modeling, and experiments. Under the general direction of senior staff, the successful candidate will:

• Improve and utilize existing numerical models of heat and mass exchangers
• Design, develop, and analyze new HVAC processes and components.
• Perform laboratory experiments on fluid/thermal components,
• Publish papers in heat and mass transfer and energy journals.

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. Please Note: 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 Current graduate student with a strong academic and research record in relevant heat transfer, thermodynamics, and mass transfer field with emphasis on modeling and experimental research. Degree in mechanical engineering or relevant research in other engineering or science fields. Strong interpersonal communication skills (oral and written) and demonstrated ability to work independently. Demonstrated experience in some or all of the following: Heat and mass transfer fundamentals HVAC fundamentals or refrigeration cycles (vapor compression and non-vapor compression) Numerical modeling techniques and computer programming Familiarity with desiccants and absorption processes Laboratory experiments and data acquisition systems Experience programming in MATLAB (preferred), Engineering Equation Solver (EES), Python, or similar tools (Optional but preferred) Familiarity with two-phase heat transfer phenomena (specifically condensation) (Optional but preferred) Experience with CAD using SolidWorks Preferred Qualifications .

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

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; and 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 For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish. 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.

About NLR

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for critical minerals, energy innovation, and energy security. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, Fairbanks, Alaska, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NLR bridges foundational research with practical applications to develop and bring to scale new energy materials and technologies that lower energy costs, drive economic growth, and deliver abundant and reliable energy. NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. 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. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NLR by the Department of Energy (DOE).