Intern, R&D Undergraduate Year-Round - Advanced Thin Film Materials, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 24,796 - 35,817; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, invites applications for an Intern, R&D Undergraduate Year‑Round - Advanced Thin Film Materials, onsite. You will assist with deposition experiments, prepare substrates, collect data, and help maintain labs.

This year‑round internship requires full‑time undergraduate enrollment, a GPA of 3.0+, US citizenship for security clearance, and ability to work up to 25 hours weekly during the year and up to 40 in summer.

Qualifications

• Currently attending and enrolled full‑time 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 25 hours per week during the academic year and 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

• Assist with thin‑film deposition experiments using physical vapor deposition and chemical vapor deposition techniques, including electron beam evaporation, sputtering, and atomic layer deposition.
• Prepare substrates for deposition by performing cleaning procedures on wet benches and mounting samples for processing.
• Collect, organize, and analyze experimental data to evaluate thin‑film properties such as thickness and stress.
• Support the operation and upkeep of laboratory spaces, including routine cleaning and general lab maintenance.
• Summarize and communicate research results through informal updates, technical discussions, and, when appropriate, conference or seminar presentations.
• Work onsite at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Job description

Intern, R&D Undergraduate Year-Round - Advanced Thin Film Materials, Onsite

We are seeking a Year‑Round R&D Undergraduate Intern.

Responsibilities

• Assist with thin‑film deposition experiments using physical vapor deposition and chemical vapor deposition techniques, including electron beam evaporation, sputtering, and atomic layer deposition.
• Prepare substrates for deposition by performing cleaning procedures on wet benches and mounting samples for processing.
• Collect, organize, and analyze experimental data to evaluate thin‑film properties such as thickness and stress.
• Support the operation and upkeep of laboratory spaces, including routine cleaning and general lab maintenance.
• Summarize and communicate research results through informal updates, technical discussions, and, when appropriate, conference or seminar presentations.
• Work onsite at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Salary

At Sandia, interns earn competitive pay rates based on earned credit hours, classification, and degree level. Your pay rate will be determined during the hiring process and included in your offer. 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

• Currently attending and enrolled full‑time 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 25 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during the summer.
• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

Qualifications We Desire

• The ability to acquire and maintain a DOE L‑level security clearance (must be U.S. citizen).
• Ability to work onsite at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and apply critical thinking skills to technical tasks.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Coursework in materials science, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
• Interest in or familiarity with thin‑film deposition techniques such as sputtering, electron beam evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, or atomic layer deposition.
• Interest in experimental laboratory work, including sample preparation, materials processing, and characterization.

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.

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 must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE L‑level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold dual citizenship, your clearance may be impacted. Applicants offered employment are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matters 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, resulting in removal from the position.

Discrimination Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or 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 you are employed by Sandia National Laboratories, you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs. If you have a MedPED and are selected for an onsite interview at Sandia National Laboratories, additional steps may be necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.