Post Undergraduate (Fixed term) Intern – Electrical Engineering

National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Colorado; On-site; USD 40,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

403(b) Plan

Sick Leave

Relocation assistance

Job summary

National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) invites undergraduates to join its Electrical Engineering fixed-term internship at the Flatirons Campus near Boulder, Colorado. The role focuses on developing simulations for marine-energy converter topologies, performing component sizing, and implementing control methods under导师 guidance.

Applicants should be pursuing a bachelor’s degree or recent graduate and meet a minimum GPA.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a master's or PhD in power electronics or power systems.
• Some experience with Matlab and Matlab Simulink or real-time simulation software.
• Fundamental knowledge of power electronics design or electric drivetrain technology.
• Fundamental knowledge of control methods and implementation.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing simulations for power electronic converter topologies.
• Perform design calculations for component sizing of passive circuit elements.
• Implement control methods for power capture and power conditioning.
• There is also the potential for publishing contributions and work done during the internship.

Skills

Matlab/Simulink

Power electronics knowledge

Control methods knowledge

Education

Masters or PhD in power electronics or power systems

Tools

Typhoon HIL

RSCAD (RTDS)

Job description

Posting Title Post Undergraduate (Fixed term) Intern – Electrical Engineering . Location CO - Boulder . Position Type Intern (Fixed Term) . Hours Per Week 40 . Working at NLR NLR’s 305-acre Flatirons Campus is the nation’s premier wind energy, water power, and grid integration research facility.

Nestled south of Boulder, Colorado, and north of NLR’s main South Table Mountain campus, Flatirons Campus sits adjacent to the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge and countless acres of open space and parks with stunning views of the Flatirons rock formations.

Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world‑class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost‑effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth. At NLR, you'll find a mission‑driven environment supported by state‑of‑the‑art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well‑being.

Job Description The Water Power Technology Validation group performs research to advance wave energy, tidal energy, ocean current energy, riverine energy, and ocean thermal gradient energy technologies (i.e., marine energy technologies) - see https://www.nlr.gov/water/marine-energy for more information. In this pursuit we work closely with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), industry partners, and academic institutions. The group’s work involves the development of numerical design, control, and optimization software tools, developing new and innovative methods of capturing marine energy, performing laboratory testing, and supporting open‑ocean testing. Assist in developing simulations for power electronic converter topologies. Perform design calculations for component sizing of passive circuit elements, operating specifications and evaluating off-the-shelf converter solutions. Implement control methods for power capture and power conditioning, e.g., maximum power point tracking. The hired candidate will have the opportunity to work on‑and familiarize themselves with a wide range of marine energy applications, while developing their core skillset and gaining practical experience. There is also the potential for publishing their contributions and work done during the internship.

Basic Qualifications Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Undergraduate: Must be enrolled as a full‑time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution. Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year. Graduate: Must be enrolled as a full‑time student in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution. Post Graduate: Earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year. Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.

Please Note:

• Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts, as part of the application process.
• If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• * Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a masters degree or PhD in power electronics or power systems.
• Some experience with Matlab and Matlab SimuLink or relevant real‑time simulation software.
• Fundamental knowledge of power electronics design or electric drivetrain technology.
• Fundamental knowledge of typical control methods and implementation thereof.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hardware‑in‑the‑loop software and testing experience would be advantageous, e.g., Typhoon HIL, RSCAD (RTDS) etc.

Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range

Annual Salary Range (based on full‑time 40 hours per week) Job Profile: / Annual Salary Range: $39,600 - $63,400.

NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits. * Based on eligibility rules.

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this requirement.

Drug Free Workplace NLR is committed to maintaining a drug‑free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug‑Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre‑employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre‑employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre‑employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for critical minerals, energy innovation, and energy security. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, Fairbanks, Alaska, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NLR bridges foundational research with practical applications to develop and bring to scale new energy materials and technologies that lower energy costs, drive economic growth, and deliver abundant and reliable energy.

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on‑site, off‑site, or via telephone or videoconference. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NLR by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Please review the information on our Hiring Process website before you create an account and apply for a job. We also hope you will learn more about NLR, visit our Careers site, and continue to search for job opportunities at the lab.