Intern, R&D Graduate Summer - Advanced Radio Frequency and Electronic Systems, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories invites applications for an Intern, R&D Graduate Summer in Advanced Radio Frequency and Electronic Systems. The role focuses on RF circuit and antenna design, mechanical design for electronics, waveform development, and software for software‑defined RF systems.

Onsite work is required during the summer. The group specializes in RF signal processing, microwave circuits, embedded software, and high-performance computing for national security applications.

Qualifications

• Earned bachelor's degree in a science, engineering, or math field.
• Enrolled full-time in spring term prior to internship (or graduating in spring).
• Minimum GPA 3.0/4.0.
• Ability to work up to 40 hours per week in the summer.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support development of advanced RF systems across VHF-EHF.
• Use RF design, antennas, and software to improve processes.
• Contribute to RF circuits and antenna designs.
• Help design mechanical assemblies for electronic systems.
• Assist in RF signaling waveform design and testing.
• Contribute to software development for software-defined RF systems.
• Participate in lab and field testing of RF systems.

Skills

RF design

Antenna design

Software development

DSP analysis

Mechanical design

Embedded software/FPGA

Education

Bachelor's degree

Computer Engineering

Computer Science

Electrical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Network analyzers

RF power meters

Oscilloscopes

DVMs

Laboratory testing

Job description

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Intern, R&D Graduate Summer - Advanced Radio Frequency and Electronic Systems, Onsite

The Advanced Radio Frequency and Electronic Systems Group is seeking a summer engineer intern whose study, interest, and experience include RF circuit design, antenna design, mechanical design, waveform design, and software development for research, development, and testing of advanced digital communications signaling devices.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Support the development of advanced RF systems across a diverse frequency range (VHF-EHF) for real-world technology applications
• Utilize advanced commercial technology, tools, design, and testing practices to improve development processes and designs of RF systems
• Contribute to design of RF circuits and antennas
• Contribute to design of mechanical assemblies for electronic systems
• Contribute to design of RF communication signaling protocols and waveforms
• Contribute to software development for software‑defined RF systems
• Contribute to laboratory testing of RF systems
• Contribute to field testing of RF systems

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

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:

• Earned bachelor's degree
• Currently attending and enrolled full time in the spring term immediately preceding the internship (or scheduled to graduate in the spring) in an accredited science, engineering, or math graduate program
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Ability to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer
• Ability to secure and maintatin a U.S. security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship

Note: If you have not yet started your graduate program, please apply to an undergraduate intern position.

Qualifications We Desire:

• Desired Graduate Studies Programs: Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
• Interest and experience doing engineering work: circuit design, antenna design, software development, digital signal processing analysis, or mechanical design
• Experience with laboratory and field testing of RF systems
• Experience with embedded software development or FPGA design
• Experience in designing miniaturized RF electronics, RF frequency filters, and understanding of low signal-to-noise environments
• Experience in high-gain antenna array design
• Experience in use of RF related test and measurement equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and RF power meters as well as standard electronics test and measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes and DVMs
• Experience in designing mechanical assemblies for electronic systems including enclosures, heat dissipation, connectors, and user interface components

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

About Our Team:

The Advanced Radio Frequency and Electronic Systems Group specializes in technologies enabling RF signal communication in challenging environments. This includes miniature transponders, specialized software‑defined radios, and advanced signal processing techniques to solve military and intelligence requirements based on emerging threats. Design expertise includes microwave circuits, RF systems, digital FPGA's, embedded software, microcontrollers, low profile mechanical assemblies, custom antennas, and high-performance computing platforms for signal processing.

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.

• Affordable housing, reasonable cost of living
• Minimal traffic congestion compared to larger cities
• At Sandia, recruiters manually review resumes on each job posting instead of using a resume screening software program
• By following the best practices outlined, this ensures that recruiters can accurately determine your qualifications for the position