Mechanical & Thermal Engineering Undergraduate Intern

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); Remote; USD 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Parental leave

401(k) with match

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Wellness programs

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Security LLC seeks an undergraduate student to support the Mechanical & Thermal Engineering Group (E-1) at Los Alamos National Laboratory. You will work alongside engineers, scientists, technicians, and project leaders to plan, design, analyze, execute, and document complex engineering activities.

Responsibilities include supporting mechanical and thermal tests, developing test plans, performing calculations, and assisting with CAD models and data analysis.

Qualifications

• Enrollment: Must be currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program.
• Credit Hours: Must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters or the quarter system equivalent.
• GPA: Must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates with GPA 3.5+ will be most competitive.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning and development of mechanical and thermal engineering tests and experiments.
• Help develop test plans, procedures, requirements, checklists, and other engineering documentation.
• Perform engineering calculations and analyses to support test design, hardware development, and data interpretation.
• Support mechanical design activities, including CAD models, drawings, test fixtures, and hardware.
• Assist engineers with evaluating test configurations, instrumentation needs, and data collection requirements.
• Review and organize test data and assist with post-test data reduction and visualization.

Skills

Mechanical & Thermal Engineering

CAD

Testing

Data analysis

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Pursuing Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Instrumentation

Data management apps

Job description

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What You Will Do

The Engineering Technology and Design Division (E) is seeking an undergraduate student to support the Mechanical & Thermal Engineering Group (E-1). E-1 provides mechanical and thermal engineering solutions in support of a broad range of Laboratory programs and national security missions. The selected student will have the opportunity to work alongside engineers, scientists, technicians, and project leaders while gaining exposure to the engineering processes used to plan, design, analyze, execute, and document complex engineering activities.

As an undergraduate student, you will support engineering activities associated with mechanical systems, experimental testing, test planning and execution, engineering analysis, and hardware development. Assignments will be tailored to your academic background, technical interests, and experience and may evolve as you develop within the organization.

This position is intended to provide meaningful, hands‑on professional development while introducing the selected student to the breadth of engineering work performed within E-1. You will receive mentorship from experienced engineering staff and progressively take on greater technical responsibility as your knowledge and experience grow.

The successful candidate should be comfortable working in a collaborative environment, learning new technical areas, asking questions, and taking ownership of assigned work. This position provides an opportunity to develop experience in engineering design, testing, analysis, technical communication, project execution, and multidisciplinary teamwork while contributing to the Laboratory's national security mission.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Supporting the planning and development of mechanical and thermal engineering tests and experiments.


• Assisting with the development of test plans, procedures, requirements, checklists, and other engineering documentation.


• Performing engineering calculations and analyses to support test design, hardware development, and interpretation of experimental results.


• Supporting mechanical design activities, including development and review of CAD models, drawings, test fixtures, and experimental hardware.


• Assisting engineers with evaluating test configurations, instrumentation needs, operating conditions, and data collection requirements.


• Reviewing and organizing test data and assisting with post-test data reduction, analysis, visualization, and documentation.


• Applying engineering fundamentals to help investigate technical problems, evaluate alternatives, and support engineering decisions.


• Participating in design reviews, technical discussions, project meetings, and other collaborative engineering activities.


• Developing familiarity with Laboratory engineering practices, quality expectations, safety requirements, and formal work processes.


• Completing applicable Laboratory training and professional-development activities.


• Working collaboratively with engineers, technicians, analysts, project leaders, customers, and other technical personnel across the Laboratory.


• Communicating technical work through written documentation, presentations, and discussions with mentors and project teams.


• Supporting other unclassified engineering assignments consistent with your education, experience, and organizational needs.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Enrollment: Must be currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program.


• Credit Hours: Must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters or the quarter system equivalent.


• Cumulative GPA: Must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher will be most competitive.

Desired Qualifications

• Candidates will be most competitive when they possess the following knowledge and skills:


• Engineering and Technical Skills: Foundational knowledge and practical experience in one or more areas such as mechanical or thermal systems, manufacturing, automation and controls, computational modeling, testing, or systems engineering.


• Laboratory Experience: Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to safety while conducting hands-on work in laboratory or technical environments.


• Communication Skills: Proven ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, in a professional or technical setting.


• Results Orientation: Demonstrated initiative and persistence in achieving goals within complex organizational and technical environments.


• Technical Proficiency: Working knowledge of relevant computer systems, software tools, and data management applications.


• Innovative Thinking: Ability to apply creativity and problem-solving skills to develop effective, practical solutions to complex challenges.


• Teamwork and Growth Mindset: Enthusiasm for collaboration, openness to mentorship, and a desire to learn and expand technical and professional capabilities.

Work Environment

Work Location: The work location for this position has the potential for remote work. Remote work is defined as working offsite that is greater than 2 hours of the Laboratory location. Reporting onsite may be periodically necessary. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Work Schedule: The durations of the internship and the work schedule will vary based on the availability of the intern and mentor, and the internship project needs.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.

Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network


• Dental and vision insurance


• Free basic life and disability insurance


• Paid childbirth and parental leave


• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)


• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance


• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)


• Onsite gyms and wellness programs


• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance

Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Internal Applicants

Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.

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