Intern, R&D Undergraduate Co-op - Solar Thermal Test & Demonstration, Onsite

Center for Energy Education; Albuquerque, Northern (NM, KY); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking an Industrial Engineering or Engineering Management Co-op for the NSTTF to support operations, maintenance, and continuous improvement of test capabilities at a 500 acre facility.

You will work with technologists and engineers, lead a lean improvement project, and engage with NSTTF customers to help deliver our deep R&D work. This role is onsite and requires full-time availability during the term.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate student enrolled at an accredited university.
• Enrolled full time in the term immediately preceding the internship.
• Pursuing a science, engineering, or math major.
• Registered with the university's co-op office.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0.
• Ability to work up to 40 hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Support Maintenance and operations activities as needed.
• Lead a continuous Improvement project with lean experience.
• Collaborate with technologists and engineers to enhance NSTTF facilities.
• Learn about running a 500 acre test facility and its operations.
• Support testing campaigns and interact with NSTTF customer base.

Skills

MS Office

LabView

Matlab

Python

Lean problem solving

3D CAD modeling

Education

Undergraduate status

Science/Engineering/Math major

GPA 3.0/4.0

Tools

LabView

DAQ/Control software

3D CAD tools

Job description

What Your Job Will Be Like

We are seeking an Industrial Engineering or Engineering Management Co-op in the Concentrating Solar Test & Demonstration department to assist our staff with the operations, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the test capabilities at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF). The work performed by the student intern will help our staff to develop our process for operation, control, and maintenance of our heliostat field, solar furnace, solar simulator, as well as other testing capabilities. This work will ensure that we can effectively deliver on our deep R&D work.

• Support Maintenance and operations activities as needed
• Lead a continuous Improvement project, with the goal of getting real world lean experience
• Work closely with technologists and engineers to improve our facility and capabilities
• Learn about what it is like to run a 500 acre test facility and all the details of operations
• Support testing campaigns and interact with NSTTF customer base

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.

Qualifications We Require

You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:

• Undergraduate student at an accredited university
• Enrolled full time in the term immediately preceding the internship
• Pursuing a science, engineering, or math major
• Registration with the university's co-op office
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Ability to work up to 40 hours per week
• U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, asylees or refugees in the U.S.

Qualifications We Desire

• Some familiarity with Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST) or thermal energy.
• Experience using 3D CAD modeling software a plus
• Demonstrated experience using MS Office and excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience working in an industrial facility or operational environment
• Experience in test operations and experimental design
• Experience using basic hand tools (Drills, wrenches, and Multimeters)
• Knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, or material mechanics
• Experience using LabView or any DAQ/control software
• Experience programming in Labview, Matlab, or Python
• Experience with Lean problem solving

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 Solar Thermal Test & Demonstration department operates Sandia's National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF), a globally unique, multi-mission R&D capability that enables pioneering research and technology development for energy and aerospace applications. Using concentrated sunlight, our team creates extreme thermal and combined harsh environments for tests ranging from small-scale coupons to full-scale, multi-story components and systems. We develop and test advanced thermal protection materials, optical metrology systems, innovative solar thermal energy technologies, and heat transfer technologies, including heat exchangers and heat pumps.

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

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.

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.