Intelligence and Space Research Postbaccalaureate

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 17,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory invites undergraduates to join its ISR Postbac internship program. You will work on challenging, mentored research projects across ISR groups, gaining hands‑on experience in space science, data processing, and hardware development.

You'll be part of interdisciplinary teams and present your progress to colleagues, with opportunities for professional development and publication of results in a supportive, dynamic lab environment.

Qualifications

• Undergraduates may join the ISR Postbac program for paid summer and year‑round internships.
• Mentoring, hands‑on technical experience, and professional development are provided.
• Projects vary by skills and interests and by Laboratory needs.

Responsibilities

• Work on interdisciplinary R&D projects within ISR divisions.
• Collaborate with engineers, technicians, and scientists in a mentored setting.
• Present progress and results to colleagues and mentors.

Skills

Nuclear physics

Nuclear engineering

Particle physics

Astrophysics

Space hardware development

Space weather

Radio-frequency sensing

Ionospheric physics

Space flight platforms

Space communications

Programming

Data science

Electrical engineering

Signal processing

Software development

Embedded systems

CAD/Modeling

Education

Undergraduate student

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 recent graduates looking for a challenging postgraduate internship at the post-baccalaureate level. Our interdisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and scientists work, learn, and succeed through a highly creative and dynamic R&D environment. As an ISR Postbac student, 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 Postbac program offers paid summer and year-round internships for undergraduate students in a variety of Intelligence and Space Research projects. The Postbac 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 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.
• Backgrounds in ISR-3 are often in one or more of the following disciplines and skills: physics/astrophysics, computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, data science, data engineering, embedded systems programming, FPGA design, and signal processing.

ISR-4: Space Electronics and Signal Processing

• The Space Electronics and Signal Processing Group (ISR-4) develops innovative and high reliability instruments for unattended, long-term, failure-free operation in demanding environments such as high radiation, high temperature, and space. Capabilities include embedded electronics design & layout; analog circuit design for specialized detectors; digital signal processing and data collection, rad‑hard single board computer, specialty power supply design; and applied RF & antenna design
• Academic backgrounds in ISR-4 are often in electrical engineering and computer engineering.

ISR-5: Space Instrument Realization

• The engineers of ISR-5 focus on mechanical design and analysis, fabrication, integration, and environmental testing in support of advanced space hardware development. Students will contribute by performing fundamental research, creating CAD models, conducting Finite Element Analysis, and supporting rigorous environmental test campaigns; including vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum cycling. These efforts directly prepare hardware for