Sandia National Laboratories Albuquerque, NM Remote
2021-11-02

Intern - Concentrating Solar Technologies - R&D Undergraduate Year-Round

4.2

What Your Job Will Be Like

We are seeking a Year-Round R&D Undergraduate Engineering Student Intern to join our dynamic team!

On any given day, you may be called on to:

  • Assist our R&D staff with the improvement and modernization of the test capabilities at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF).
  • The work performed by the student intern will facilitate R&D pertaining to the operation, control, and maintenance of the 6 MWth heliostat field, 16 kWth solar furnace, and 7.2 kWel solar simulator among other testing capabilities.
  • This work may also include heat transfer/thermodynamic analysis of supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle systems, as well as novel thermal analysis of high temperature falling particles and novel molten salt chemistries.

Understanding and adherence to applicable Sandia National laboratories ES&H requirements and guidelines will be important for this position.


COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate


Sandia demonstrates its commitment to public safety in the national interest by requiring that all new hires attest to their vaccination status before commencing employment. The requirement also applies to those who are telecommuting and working virtually.

Any concerns about the ability to meet this requirement should be directed to HR Solutions at (505) 284-4700.

Posting Duration


This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Qualifications We Require


You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:

  • Currently attending and enrolled full time in an accredited undergraduate program
  • Pursuing a science, engineering, or math major
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
  • Ability to work up to 25 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer
  • U.S. citizenship

Qualifications We Desire

  • Some familiarity with Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) and alternative energy.
  • Demonstrated experience using MS Office and excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Any experience using LabView or any other DAQ/control software
  • Experience in test operation and design
  • Some experience with networking infrastructure
  • Any experience programming in LabVIEW or MATLAB

About Our Team


Sandia National Laboratories is a world leader in the development of renewable energy systems. Our Concentrated Solar Technologies Department located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, develops Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems in partnership with DOE, industry partners, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to facilitate the successful development and market deployment of utility scale solar electricity, sustainable solar fuels, and industrially relevant solar thermal chemistry. Facilities at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) include a 6 MWth heliostat field with 214 heliostats, a 200 ft solar tower with multiple test bays, a high-temperature/high-pressure flowing molten salt test loop, optical characterization tools, a rotating trough platform, a 16 kWth solar furnace, and long-range heliostat analysis tools. The world-class facilities and extensive experience of researchers in the department provide the opportunity to make significant technological impacts in utility-scale solar electric generation, solar fuels and thermochemical cycles, high flux materials, thermal storage, and related fields, and also in development of future, disruptive technologies. Excellent opportunities exist to provide new technology options in support of our nation's renewable energy industry and to apply our core strengths in other areas of investigation.


About Sandia


Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:
  • Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
  • Extraordinary co-workers
  • Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
  • Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
  • Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
  • Generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*
World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov
  • These benefits vary by job classification.

Security Clearance


This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

EEO


All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.