Welding & Joining Post-Master's Intern

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance (PPO/HDHP)

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules and PTO

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM, invites applications for a post-master's intern in the Welding & Joining (W&J) team. You will apply welding/post‑master's expertise to optimize joining processes, with opportunities in computational modeling, experimental validation, and data-driven process optimization.

The role emphasizes collaboration across Sigma Division, with access to state‑of‑the‑art facilities and opportunities to draft papers and contribute to conferences.

Qualifications

• Must have earned a Master's degree from an accredited institution (or international equivalent) within the last 3 years.
• Must have graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
• Experience in fundamental or applied welding, joining, material science, process modeling, computer programming, or related fields.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship

Responsibilities

• Assist with research activities under the guidance of your mentor and the W&J team.
• Support validation of computational predictions through experimental testing and advanced characterization
• Help develop innovative methods to address manufacturing challenges
• Collaborate with team members across Sigma Division to advance welding and joining technologies
• Contribute to drafting technical papers and help prepare presentations for conferences
• Provide support in proposal development for future research and development opportunities
• Offer foundational technical assistance in welding, joining, and metallurgical sciences to help advance LANL's mission

Skills

Welding

Material science

Process modeling

Programming

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Abaqus

COMSOL

FLOW-3D

Job description

What You Will Do

Sigma Division focuses on materials science and engineering, emphasizing manufacturing science and research in support of the experimental testing program at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Division is a service-oriented capability that supports a broad customer base, both internal and external to LANL, with high quality, one of a kind prototype components. Work within the Division encompasses materials spanning from hydrogen to uranium on the periodic table. Please visit the Sigma Division website to learn more about our organization: https://www.lanl.gov/engage/organizations/physical-sciences/sigma

Join the Welding & Joining (W&J) team to advance welding technologies through state-of-the-art computational modeling and experimental research. As a post-master's intern, you will apply your expertise in welding and/or brazing processes and related metallurgical challenges to optimize joining processes. Research opportunities also exist in experimental validation, advanced materials characterization, and data-driven process optimization.

In this role, you will:

• Assist with research activities under the guidance of your mentor and the W&J team
• Support validation of computational predictions through experimental testing and advanced characterization
• Help develop innovative methods to address manufacturing challenges
• Collaborate with team members across Sigma Division to advance welding and joining technologies
• Contribute to drafting technical papers and help prepare presentations for conferences
• Provide support in proposal development for future research and development opportunities
• Offer foundational technical assistance in welding, joining, and metallurgical sciences to help advance LANL's mission

Our team supports diverse applications including high energy density welding (laser, electron beam), arc welding, brazing, and solid-state joining. You will have access to state-of-the-art experimental facilities to conduct world-class research.

• Expected duration of the internship 12-months

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Experience in fundamental or applied welding, joining, material science, process modeling, computer programming, or related fields
• Ability to clearly and professionally communicate research findings, with demonstrated contributions to drafting technical materials or conference materials
• Evidence of successful collaboration in team-based research environments
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship

Desired Qualifications

• Exposure to welding and joining processes; understanding of high energy density methods (laser beam welding, electron beam welding, laser/electron beam optics), arc welding (GTAW, GMAW), brazing, solid state welding, or other joining methods is beneficial but not required
• Working knowledge of welding metallurgy, solidification phenomena, or metallurgical characterization techniques
• Interest with structural integrity aspects of welding and joining, such as residual stress measurement/prediction, fracture mechanics analysis, flaw sizing techniques, and/or distortion modeling
• Experience with data acquisition systems, sensor technologies, or motion control systems for welding or additive manufacturing equipment
• Programming experience with Python, MATLAB, or other languages applicable to data analysis and process modeling
• Familiarity with FEA and CFD models (Abaqus, COMSOL, and FLOW-3D) to simulate welding and additive manufacturing processes
• Familiarity and/or interest with AI/ML applications in manufacturing or materials science

Training/Certifications

Education/Experience

• Must have earned a Master's degree from an accredited institution (or international equivalent) within the last 3 years in an appropriate field,
• Must have graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Note to Applicants

Required Application Materials:

• Current resume
• Current official transcripts
• Personal statement of interest (not to exceed one page)

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

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.