Undergraduate and Graduating HS Senior Internship - Engineering

What You Will Do

Do something that matters and make a real difference at one of the world's most prestigious and innovative multidisciplinary research institutions. The Engineering Undergraduate Student (UGS) Program offers paid summer and year-round internships for undergraduate students in a variety of disciplines. The program provides mentoring, hands-on technical experience, and professional development opportunities through a formalized work plan complementing the student's chosen area of study. Examples of LANL projects in engineering include, but are not limited to:

• Advanced design, analysis and testing of complex systems and structures for national and global security applications;
• Using X-Ray Computed Tomography to measure density in high explosives;
• Building, testing, and developing simulations for a table-top electron accelerator that generates RF waves;
• Design, development, and testing of heat pipes for advanced nuclear reactor concepts;
• Computational material science modeling of the strength and damage behavior of metals at meso- and continuum scales;
• Refining algorithms for dynamic path planning for robotic manipulators in industrial settings;
• Uncertainty quantification and machine learning methods in the graph transport model; Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling of flow around structures with vortex induced vibrations for energy security applications;
• Using machine learning techniques to improve image processing and mechanical response in aerial robots; and Modeling tritium fuel cycling and the impact of liquid metal plasma facing components of fusion energy systems.
  
  

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program in any engineering discipline. Examples of Engineering degrees in greatest demand include:
• Mechanical, Electrical, Nuclear, Materials, Aeronautic, Chemical, Civil and Environmental.
• Must be enrolled in at least 12 semester credit hours (or full-time equivalent) in an accredited degree program (or international equivalent).
• Entering freshmen must provide documentation indicating matriculation into a suitable undergraduate degree program.
• Must currently have and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
  
  

Desired Qualifications:

Student selected for UGS internships are most competitive when they possess the following knowledge and skills:

• Computer programming in support of engineering design, data acquisition, analysis or machine learning;
• Fabrication and testing techniques currently used within your selected specific engineering field(s);
• Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience;
• Experience in additive manufacturing;
• Laboratory or shop experience demonstrating attention to detail and commitment to safety;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate (verbal and written) well in a professional scientific context; and
• Commitment to achieving results in a complex social and organizational setting.
  
  

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:

The application and required documents must be submitted by February 13, 2026.

When applying, candidates must attach:

• A resume,
• Personal statement (not to exceed one page),
• Their most recent transcripts (or an acceptance letter if transcripts have not been issued).
  
  

Important: Applicants who fail to submit the three required application documents (resume, personal statement, transcript) will not be considered for employment. Personal statements are most effective when they clearly indicate your research interests and highlight your most notable achievements and accomplishments. It should also explain how you have demonstrated the application of desired knowledge and skills in your previous academic and work experiences.

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.

No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

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: 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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.