Undergraduate/graduate intern - software and data infrastructure for autonomous thin film experimentation (Year-Round)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 35,000 - 56,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

403(b) employer match

Sick leave

Job summary

National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is seeking an undergraduate or graduate intern to help develop digital infrastructure for autonomous semiconductor processing and characterization systems in Golden, CO. You will join a multidisciplinary team to build software enabling closed-loop autonomous experimentation and integration with the METALLIC platform.

Preferred candidates have Python experience, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to learn rapidly.

Qualifications

• Minimum GPA 3.0.
• Undergraduate: enrolled full-time in a bachelor’s degree program.
• Post Undergraduate: bachelor’s degree earned within past 12 months.
• Graduate: enrolled full-time in a master’s degree program.
• Post Graduate: master’s degree earned within past 12 months.
• Graduate + PhD: enrolled as PhD student.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Python software for instrument control and automation.
• Implement APIs and interfaces connecting distributed instruments.
• Support real-time data exchange and provenance infrastructure.
• Assist with integration, testing, debugging, deployment, and documentation.
• Develop tools for monitoring, logging, and visualization.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across semiconductor processing, materials science, robotics, and AI.

Skills

Python programming

Git version control

Analytical problem solving

Independent & collaborative work

Effective communication

Learning new technologies

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

Python

Job description

Posting Title Undergraduate/graduate intern - software and data infrastructure for autonomous thin film experimentation (Year-Round)

Location CO - Golden .

Position Type Intern (Fixed Term) .

Hours Per Week 25 .

Working at NLR

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.

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

NLR’s Materials Design and Discovery group is seeking an undergraduate or graduate intern to support the development of digital infrastructure for autonomous semiconductor processing and characterization systems.

In conjunction with the DOE’s METALLIC platform (https://netl.doe.gov/metallic), we are developing a closed-loop autonomous experimentation platform that integrates scientific instrumentation, data management, artificial intelligence, and workflow orchestration to accelerate the discovery and optimization of advanced semiconductor thin films.

The successful candidate will work closely with a multi-disciplinary team to build the software and data infrastructure that enables autonomous operation of advanced semiconductor synthesis and characterization instruments.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Python software for scientific instrument control and laboratory automation.
• Implement APIs, communication interfaces, and messaging systems connecting distributed experimental instruments and control computers.
• Support real-time data exchange, data management, and provenance infrastructure for autonomous experimentation workflows.
• Assist with integration, testing, debugging, deployment, and documentation of software systems.
• Develop tools for monitoring, logging, and visualization of experimental data and system status.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams working in semiconductor processing, materials science, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

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

• Experience programming in Python.
• Familiarity with software development practices, including version control (e.g., Git).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies and experimental systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing software for hardware interfacing, automation, laboratory systems, or scientific instrumentation.
• Experience with communication standards, protocols, and messaging technologies used for instrument integration and distributed systems (e.g., OPC UA, Modbus, MQTT, TCP/IP, SCPI).
• Experience with databases, data pipelines, or data management systems.
• Experience with machine learning, optimization, computer vision, or autonomous experimentation systems.
• Previous experience working with scientific instrumentation, laboratory automation, or experimental research environments.
• Interest in autonomous systems, scientific computing, robotics, or laboratory automation.

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: $34,800 - $55,700

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.

Reasonable Accommodations

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.

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.

Additional NLR Information

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).