Intern, R&D Graduate Summer - Autonomy for Hypersonics, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories' Pathfinder Technologies Group is hiring Graduate Interns for Summer 2027 in Albuquerque, NM to work on autonomous systems from single vehicles to swarms, with mentoring and hands-on research in algorithms, software, and hardware integration.

Interns collaborate with expert staff, develop trajectories, analyze test data, and contribute to perception, localization, and control topics, with on-site work and a strong emphasis on research and development.

Qualifications

• Earned bachelor's degree in a STEM field.
• Currently enrolled full-time in the spring term 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 maintain a U.S. security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship

Responsibilities

• Develop algorithms and software for autonomous systems and perception.
• Code across levels from high level to assembly; integrate processors into flight hardware.
• Model, simulate, and analyze test data for autonomous platforms

Skills

C++

Python

CUDA

MATLAB

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

What Your Job Will Be Like

We are currently hiring Graduate Interns to join the Pathfinder Technologies Group in Summer 2027. Graduate interns work with expert staff in research and development of autonomous systems from stationary to hypersonic applications, from a single vehicle to swarms. Examples of tasks include developing algorithms, developing software, coding at various levels from high level to assembly, integrating processors (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, GPU) into flight hardware, generating trajectories, analyzing test data, modeling/simulating dynamic systems, etc. Mentoring and training will be provided.

We Are Looking For Interns With a Passion For Research In Autonomous Systems, Algorithm Development, Computer Vision/image Processing, Signal Processing, Sensing And Perception, Localization, Sensor Fusion, High-fidelity Dynamic Simulation, And Aerospace Navigation/guidance/control Software And Hardware Development. Our Program Is Interdisciplinary And Welcomes Students In The Following Majors.

• Computer Science
• Electrical/Computer Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Robotics or Artificial Intelligence
• Applied Mathematics
• Statistics or Data science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Other STEM majors related to the above.

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 maintain 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

• Proficiency in a computer language such as C++, Python, CUDA, or Matlab
• Experience with sensor fusion, embedded software, computer vision, or other relevant autonomous system technologies
• Experience with Navigation, Guidance, and Control, especially for flight systems

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

Pathfinder Technologies conceptualizes and rapidly prototypes autonomous technologies for perception, navigation, guidance, and control in anticipation of warfighter needs. Through strategic partnership, we demonstrate and deploy those technologies to strengthen national defense superiority.

Autonomy for Hypersonics (A4H) advances new capabilities for the warfighter through customer-funded and internally-funded autonomy, mod/sim, and NG&C R&D. A4H also execute AutonomyNM, an initiative to foster collaboration between Sandia and national research partners that includes university partnerships, a new unmanned systems experimental facility, and a large student internship program.

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 Q-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 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.