Intelligence and Space Research Division Undergraduate Internship

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is offering an undergraduate student internship within the Intelligence and Space Research (ISR) Division in Los Alamos, NM. You will join interdisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists, receive mentorship, and work on challenging R&D projects related to space technology during the summer or year‑round.

Applicants should be enrolled in an accredited STEM program and meet GPA and credit hour requirements.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate degree program in any STEM field.
• Must be enrolled in at least 12 semester credit hours (or full‑time equivalent).
• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Responsibilities

• Work with ISR groups within LANL ISR Division on a mentored project.
• Present work progress to colleagues and mentors.
• Participate in a paid summer or year‑round internship program with hands‑on technical experience.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Undergraduate STEM program enrollment

Job description

What You Will Do

Come join the brightest minds in cutting edge space technology! The Intelligence and Space Research (ISR) Division at the Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking highly motivated undergraduate students (UGSs) looking for a challenging internship. Our interdisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and scientists work, learn, and succeed through a highly creative and dynamic R&D environment. The primary mission of ISR is to develop and test novel remote sensing technologies and the engineering and science necessary to support them. This covers a broad range of applications, but is centered on designing, building, and testing space based technologies that we maintain throughout their operational life cycle to support the Department of Energy's needs.

As an ISR UGS, we will provide you with a mentor, a challenging project, and an opportunity to present your work and progress to colleagues. Projects will vary depending on your skills and interests and the Laboratory's current needs. The ISR UGS program offers paid summer and year‑round internships for undergraduate students in a variety of Intelligence and Space Research projects. The UGS program provides mentoring, hands‑on technical experience, and professional development opportunities through a normalized work plan complementing the student's chosen area of study.

You will work closely with one of eight groups within the ISR Division:

• ISR-1: Space Science and Applications
• The scientists of ISR-1 are interested in nuclear particle detection (neutrons, gammas, x-rays), plasma and energetic particle instruments, and space weather physics.
• Academic backgrounds in ISR-1 are often in one or more of the following disciplines: nuclear physics, nuclear engineering, particle physics, astrophysics, space hardware development, and space weather.
• ISR-2: Electromagnetic Sciences & Cognitive Space Applications
• The engineers and scientists of ISR-2 are interested in radio‑frequency sensing, ionospheric and lightning physics, space flight platforms and systems, space communications and networking, and photonics and quantum sensing.
• Academic backgrounds in ISR-2 are often in one or more of the following disciplines: applied physics, astrophysics, atmospheric physics, computer/electrical engineering, lightning science, optics/quantum science, plasma physics, signal processing, software development, space hardware development, and space weather.
• ISR-3: Space Data Science and Systems (Hot Skills)
• The engineers, scientists, and professionals of ISR-3 work in flight software development, data processing, computing infrastructure, cybersecurity, and Mars operations.
• Academic backgrounds in ISR-3 are often in one or more of the following disciplines and skills: What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate degree program in any STEM field.
• Must be enrolled in at least 12 semester credit hours (or full‑time equivalent).
• Must currently have and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to communicate well (verbal and written) in a professional scientific context; and commitment to achieving results in a complex social and organizational setting.
• Creativity‑the ability to think outside the box is crucial for the success of ISR projects and programs.

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Note to Applicants

• A resume and current transcript, showing the above requirements, are required.
• Applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter (2 pages or less) that addresses the job requirements of the position and, if applicable, the desired skills and education eligibility. Your letter and/or resume should provide contact information for 2‑4 references who are familiar with your capabilities as related to this job.
• Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China‑including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau‑as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award‑winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 -

Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

No Clearance:

Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre‑employment background checks.

New‑Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new‑employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre‑offer.

Internal Applicants:

Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity:

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process.

To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.