STL Undergraduate Physics Internship (Associate in Science - Levels I - IV)

Job Description

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy. Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750 professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.

• MSTS offers our regular, full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.
  
  

Responsibilities

THIS IS A CASUAL POSITION WORKING A MAXIMUM OF 900 HOURS PER CALENDAR YEAR.

Our Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) in Santa Barbara, CA is looking to hire an undergraduate physics intern for our 2026 summer internship program. The selected student will work under the direct supervision of a manager & mentor within a variety of areas and will be provided with hands-on participation in ongoing projects at one of the most unique experimental sites in the United States.

We are looking for qualified and motivated Undergrad students that are pursuing a degree in:

• Physics
• Applied Physics
• Quantum Physics
  
  

Duties and Responsibilities (may include and will vary depending on which department you are assigned to):

• Support the build, test, and optimization or quantum sensing testbed.
• Build and align optical systems.
• Make scientific measurements to inform system optimization.
• Develop creative solutions to improve system performance.
• Create and give presentations on both project and progress to teammates and management.
• Participate on small teams of scientists, engineers, and technicians, to devise technical solutions and provide deliverables to customers.
  
  

Please note these important dates for our 2026 Summer Student Program:

• January 30th, 2026 - Last day for student internship applications to be accepted
• May 19th, 2026 - Summer internship Student Program begins
• August 7th, 2026 - Summer internship Student Program concludes
  
  

Qualifications

Due to the nature of our work, US Citizenship is required for all positions.

• Completion of the first year of a calculus-based science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) degree program at an accredited institution, as of the date application is submitted.
• Must be actively enrolled in school, as of the date application is submitted.
• Must have and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, as of the date application is submitted.
• Must be located in the contiguous United States.
• Must have:
• Planning/organizing skills and initiative
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to follow directions, both written and verbal, and able to work independently as well as part of a team
• Experience making measurements of optical quantum systems
• Strong computer skills are desired, including MS Office and computer programming.
• The primary work location will be at the Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) in Santa Barbara, CA.
• A pre-placement drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
  

Ability to obtain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification credential under the Department of Energy Order 206.2, ‘Identity, Credential, and Access Management,’ and Supplemental Directive NNSA SD 206.2, ‘Implementation of Personal Identity Verification for Uncleared Contractors.’

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

Hourly range for this position is $17.60 - $29.70.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.