Are you an aspiring computer scientist interested in renewable energy? Join our dynamic team – with your interest and skills in computer science you will work creatively across a diverse set of problem spaces in the Concentrating Solar Technologies Group. Concentrating Solar Technologies are on the rise in the renewable energy space. The National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) at Sandia is at the center of a global community focused on advancing concentrating solar solutions to address the obstacles facing the replacement of fossil fuels in power generation, in industrial processes, and in thermochemical processes. We are seeking a computer science student to assist our R&D staff with modernization of the test capabilities and controls at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF). Your work 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 simulatoramong other testing capabilities. This work may also include basic networking, UDP and TCP protocols, assigning static IP addresses for data acquisition systems, queue state programming, data processing and signal filtering. Understanding and adherence to applicable Sandia National laboratories ES&H requirements and guidelines will be important for this position.

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

• Install and maintain basic networking for R&D systems, UDP and TCP protocols, queue state programming, assign static IP addresses for data acquisition systems
• Perform data processing and signal filtering
• Program in MatLAB, Python and/or LabVIEW
• Engage with a team of engineers, designers, scientists, and technologists to resolve complex hardware realization issues to advance concentrating solar technologies
• Collaborate with industrial partners and/or academic partners to solve technical research issues

Sandia demonstrates its commitment to public safety in the national interest by requiring that all new hires be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical or religious accommodation 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.

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.

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

• Some familiarity with Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) and renewable 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

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.

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. 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.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by the DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

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.