Intern, R&D Undergraduate Year Round - Autonomy for Perception, Navigation, Guidance, and Control, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking Year-Round undergraduate interns to join the Pathfinder Technologies Group onsite at Sandia. Interns work with expert staff on autonomous systems, from stationary to flight applications, including developing algorithms and software, integrating processors, and generating trajectories.

The program welcomes students in Computer Science, Robotics or AI, Applied Mathematics, Statistics or Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, and related STEM majors.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Develop algorithms and software for autonomous systems
• Code at various levels from high level to assembly
• Integrate processors into flight hardware
• Generate trajectories and analyze test data
• Model and simulate dynamic systems
• Mentoring and training will be provided

Skills

C++

Python

CUDA

MATLAB

Education

Undergraduate student (STEM)

Tools

C++

Python

CUDA

MATLAB

Job description

Intern, R&D Undergraduate Year Round - Autonomy for Perception, Navigation, Guidance, and Control, Onsite

We are currently hiring Year-Round, Undergraduate Interns to join the Pathfinder Technologies Group onsite at Sandia National Labs. 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

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:

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

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 Q clearance which requires U.S. citizenship

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

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.

• Affordable housing, reasonable cost of living


• Minimal traffic congestion compared to larger cities