Intern, R&D Undergraduate Summer - Nonlinear Mechanics and Dynamics (NOMAD), Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 6,612,000 - 11,021,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories offers an 8-week NOMAD internship at the University of New Mexico (UNM). Interns join 3-student project teams with 3-5 mentors per project, contributing to several challenging research topics in mechanical engineering and materials science.

Selected applicants must work onsite in New Mexico, engage in team collaborations, and present a final seminar on their research findings. Funding and compensation are structured per Sandia's intern pay scale.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, materials science, engineering mechanics or applied math.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0.
• Able to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer.
• U.S. citizens, permanent residents, asylees or refugees in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Support and contribute to the NOMAD internship projects at UNM.
• Collaborate with mentors and researchers on project goals and milestones.
• Assist with data collection, analysis and reporting for final seminars.
• Engage with multidisciplinary teams and communicate findings effectively.

Skills

Finite element analysis

Experimental methods

Signal processing

Model validation

Numerical methods

Measurement systems

Interpersonal communication

Education

Mechanical engineering

Civil engineering

Aerospace engineering

Materials science

Engineering mechanics

Applied mathematics

Job description

What Your Job Will Be Like:

The Nonlinear Mechanics and Dynamics (NOMAD) Research Institute is an 8-week long program held at the University of New Mexico (UNM) that brings together researchers from around the world to work on challenging research problems in engineering sciences. The Component Science and Mechanics Department is seeking motivated and productive student interns to contribute to a number of summer research projects. The internship will provide you with opportunities to work in diverse research teams, to participate in a research project that will be presented at a final seminar series, and to engage/network with professionals working within their research fields. The teams generally consist of 3 interns and 3-5 mentors per project team.

Projects for Summer 2026 include:

• Implementing Multi-Input-Multi-Output Shock Capabilities

Multi-Input-Multi-Output (MIMO) testing capabilities have been recently implemented as an alternative to vibration shaker tables. They have many advantages, including more realistic boundary conditions, portable setups, and lower costs. This project will focus on the development and implementation of MIMO shock testing, including writing and implementing MIMO shock environment specifications, using MIMO shock capabilities in the Rattlesnake control software, and model integration with MIMO shock test data.

• Dynamically informed topology optimization of nonlinear bolted structures

A recently developed topology optimization capability produces mock components that match the structural dynamics of the actual component, enabling higher-fidelity information earlier in the design process. Challenges to implementation include accounting for bolted joints when components are printed in multiple pieces, and distortion of thin-walled structures. This project will address these challenges using an additively manufactured, modally representative baseball bat.

• Chaotic vibration response of nonlinear components under forced vibration

High-fidelity numerical simulations of complex electromechanical devices have shown extreme sensitivity to non-physical parameters. This observed behavior is reminiscent of chaotic behavior for nonlinear dynamical systems. The goal of this project is to perform a set of vibration experiments to evaluate the sensitivity of the measured vibration response to various conditions, assess whether the system is behaving chaotically, and apply approaches to analyzing chaotic responses for a deterministic system.

• Microstructure-Property Relationships in Tantalum Alloys

Understanding the effect of microstructure on ductility is vital to model tantalum alloys. The goal of this project is to understand the relationship between microstructure and macroscale response through modeling and simulation activities in tantalum alloys. Students will employ crystal plasticity and continuum-scale finite element models. Results will inform how grain morphology and crystallographic texture affect material response and reveal connections between micro- and macro-scale model parameters to facilitate multiscale modeling.

• Experimental characterization of gas transport in a vibrated multiphase system

This project aims to characterize vibrated liquid-gas interface breakup and subsequent gas transport in a simple multiphase system by acquiring and quantitatively analyzing images from high-speed videography. The desired outcome is an improved understanding of how these processes depend on key parameters, including vibration amplitude, vibration frequency, and total gas volume fraction.

• Predicting Printability of Particle-Laden Inks

Additive manufacturing technologies based on material extrusion hinge on particle-laden inks that are printable. A new criterion based on particle loading in the ink differentiates printable inks from poor inks. The students will leverage existing datasets to perform particle packing simulations. Particle suspension constitutive equations to capture the rheology coupled to level set methods will be evaluated. Experiments will assess the impacts of feedstock modifications on printability to maximize particle loading.

Past summer projects can be found here: http://www.sandia.gov/careers/students_postdocs/internships/institutes/nomad.html

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:

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

• Currently attending and enrolled full time in the spring term immediately preceding the internship (or scheduled to graduate in the spring) in an accredited undergraduate program
• Pursuing a science, engineering, or math major
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Ability to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer
• U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, asylees or refugees in the U.S.

Note: If you have not earned a HS diploma or equivalent, please apply to a high school intern position.

Qualifications We Desire:

• You must be working towards a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, materials science, engineering mechanics, applied mathematics or other applicable branches of science or engineering
• You are available to participate in the Institute for 8 weeks from June 15, 2026 to early August 7, 2026
• Experience (or academic focus) in topics in structural dynamics, such as mechanical vibrations and modal analysis, and/or solid mechanics, such as failure analysis and contact mechanics
• Experience with finite element analysis, experimental methods, signal processing, model validation and calibration, numerical methods, and measurement systems
• Undergraduate research that aligns with state-of-the-art research in nonlinear mechanics or dynamics
• You should be able to work independently, with the ability to integrate effectively into a dynamic multidisciplinary teaming environment
• You should demonstrate strong interpersonal, organization, and communication skills (both oral and written)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3/4.0 is desired

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the `posting date¿. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

About Our Team:

The Component Science and Mechanics Department conducts frontier mechanics research and science-based engineering solutions for component development and assessment. Focus areas for the department include interfacial and micro/nano-mechanics, probabilistic mechanics and uncertainty quantification, and mechanical aspects of component and subsystem reliability. Areas of active interest include: interconnects and encapsulation, fatigue and fracture, energy dissipation at contacts, micro-structural mechanics, shock and vibration, crack initiation and propagation, micro-scale diagnostics, and adaptive structures. Computational and physical simulations, including solid mechanics and structural dynamics for both linear and non-linear systems, are utilized in a dynamic multidisciplinary teaming environment.

About Sandia:

• 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.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. 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.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

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.