Real-time power system modeling and simulation internship

National Laboratory of the Rockies; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 51,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Campus amenities & development program

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

The National Laboratory of the Rockies in Boulder, CO, invites applications for a real‑time power systems internship focused on inverter‑based resources and large‑scale real‑time simulation. This fixed‑term internship emphasizes hands-on modeling, testing, and evaluation using PSCAD/RSCAD and RTDS platforms.

Qualified applicants are pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degrees in electrical engineering or related fields, with a 3.0+ GPA.

Qualifications

• GPA minimum of 3.0 across all coursework.
• Full‑time student enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.
• Graduate student enrolled full‑time; master’s degree earned within the past 12 months is eligible for internship.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical analysis related to power electronics and grid control for inverter‑based resources.
• Assist in building power system models with real‑time EMT simulation.
• Integrate, test, and use user‑written models in PSCAD and RSCAD for inverters and energy storage systems.
• Evaluate the impact of inverter‑based resources on power systems.
• Document results and publish findings in journals or reports.
• Adhere to Environmental, Safety, and Health policies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (or related)

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

PSCAD

RSCAD

MATLAB/Simulink

RTDS/HIL experience

Job description

Posting Title

Real-time power system modeling and simulation internship

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Location

CO - Boulder

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Position Type

Intern (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week

40

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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 Power Systems Engineering Center (PSEC) at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is inviting applications for internship positions to work in the area of modern power systems with high‑level of inverter‑based resources (IBR). This position will perform power system real‑time modeling and simulation and use NLR’s large‑scale digital real time simulation capability. This work will be conducted at NLR’s Flatiron Campus. The researcher should have knowledge of power system real‑time simulation using RTDS and IBR modeling.

Job responsibilities will include:

• Provide technical analysis related to power electronics and power systems control of inverter‑based resources, such as battery energy storage systems, and large industrial drives.
• Work under supervision to build power system with real‑time EMT simulation considering the integration of GTFPGA or GTSOC units.
• Integrating, testing, and using user‑written "black box" models in PSCAD and RSCAD for solar inverters, battery energy storage systems (BESS), or other advanced power electronic based systems.
• Evaluate studies that examine the impact of high percentage of inverter‑based resources on power systems.
• Writing and publishing results of analysis in peer‑reviewed journals and technical reports
• Follow all Environmental, Safety, and Health policies to ensure and maintain a safe working environment.

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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

Required Knowledge, Skills and Attributes:

• Experience with power system EMT software tools such as PSCAD, RSCAD, MATLAB/Simulink, or other EMT simulation tools.
• Solid knowledge using RSCAD for power system modeling, ideally experience with using GTFPGAs and GTSOCs.
• Solid knowledge on the modeling and control of inverter‑based resources.
• Knowledge of co‑simulation between PSCAD‑RSCAD and PSS/E‑PSCAD.
• Understand RTDS modeling and HIL testing.
• Ability to present technical results to multi‑stakeholder audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

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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 (based on full‑time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: / Annual Salary Range: $51,200 - $81,900

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

Badging Requirement

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.

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

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