Summer Undergraduate Engineering Intern – Energy Systems | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | Handshake

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible work schedules

Pension plan / 401k

Job summary

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is seeking an undergraduate engineering intern to support design, analysis, and testing of energy generation and storage technologies at our Richland, WA campus. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary staff, collect data, and contribute to reports and assessments of technology readiness.

The role is a full-time, onsite summer internship from mid‑June to late August 2027, with potential part-time or virtual extension depending on performance and funding.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or higher.
• Degree-seeking undergraduate enrolled at an accredited college or university.
• Taking at least 6 credit hours and have an overall cumulative GPA of 2.5.
• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate chemical, mechanical, or nuclear engineering program or a related degree field.

Responsibilities

• Supporting engineering design and analysis of energy systems and components.
• Collecting, organizing, and documenting technical data and information.
• Contributing to technical reports, engineering analyses, and other project deliverables.
• Applying relevant engineering methodologies, models, standards, codes, and tools under the guidance of research staff.
• Collaborating with PNNL staff, other DOE national laboratories, project sponsors, and technology developers.
• Communicating findings through written summaries, presentations, and team discussions.
• Delivering accurate, high-quality work within assigned schedules and budgets.

Skills

Strong work ethic

Team collaboration

Written and oral communication

Time management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Undergraduate student enrolled at an accredited college/university

Taking at least 6 credit hours

GPA 2.5 or higher

Undergraduate engineering program (chemical, mechanical, or nuclear) or related field

Job description

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

The Earth Systems Science Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, provides leadership and solutions that advance Earth system opportunities for energy systems and national security. We are a multidisciplinary division connected by a shared commitment to innovate and collaborate towards solving complex problems in the dynamic Earth system.

Responsibilities

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) seeks an undergraduate engineering intern to support research, development, and implementation of energy generation and storage technologies. The intern will work alongside multidisciplinary research staff to support engineering design, technical analysis, and assessments of technology maturity and readiness.

Responsibilities may include:

• Supporting engineering design and analysis of energy systems and components.
• Collecting, organizing, and documenting technical data and information.
• Contributing to technical reports, engineering analyses, and other project deliverables.
• Applying relevant engineering methodologies, models, standards, codes, and tools under the guidance of research staff.
• Collaborating with PNNL staff, other DOE national laboratories, project sponsors, and technology developers.
• Communicating findings through written summaries, presentations, and team discussions.
• Delivering accurate, high-quality work within assigned schedules and budgets.

This is a full-time, onsite summer internship in Richland, Washington, ideally from mid‑June through late August 2027 with flexibility around academic schedules. Depending on performance and funding availability, the internship may extend into the academic year through part-time, hourly work, with the potential for a virtual arrangement during that period.

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidates must have a high school diploma /GED or higher
• Candidates must be degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled at an accredited college or university
• Candidates must be taking at least 6 credit hours and have an overall cumulative GPA of 2.5
• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate chemical, mechanical, or nuclear engineering program or a related degree field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Junior or senior standing in an accredited undergraduate chemical, mechanical, or nuclear engineering program.
• Coursework, project experience, or research related to energy generation, energy storage, or engineering design and analysis.
• Familiarity with methodologies, models, standards, codes, or tools used in engineering design or technology readiness assessments.
• Experience preparing technical reports or presenting engineering findings.Strong work ethic, initiative, and commitment to supporting team and project objectives.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not Applicable

Additional Information

This position involves access to sensitive systems and information. U.S. Citizenship is required. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is subject to the Department of Energy Unclassified Foreign Visits & Assignments Program site, information, technologies, and equipment access requirements.

Testing Designated Position

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world‑class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45‑minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us [e-mail].

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug‑free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD‑12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD‑12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three‑year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

Regular Hourly

Employees are offered an employee assistance program and business travel insurance. Employees are eligible for the company funded pension plan and 401k savings plan, once eligibility requirements are met.

Temporary Hourly

Employees are offered an employee assistance program and business travel insurance.

Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job‑related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited‑term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $17.13/Hr.

Maximum Salary

USD $27.02/Hr.