What are the responsibilities and job description for the Intern, R&D Undergraduate Summer - Exploratory NW Systems, Onsite position at Sandia National Laboratories?
What Your Job Will Be Like
We are seeking a Summer R&D Undergraduate Intern to join our dynamic Exploratory Nuclear Weapon Systems Department to support the PHOENIX program portfolio. Current crisis events in the world show us we are at the dawn of a new era of competitive strategic gamesmanship between major powers. Sandia's world-class nuclear weapon engineers and scientists are well-versed in technological options: what we need is savvy, technically-informed, political science exploration of where technology solutions must overlap and support sound policy objectives in order to achieve a more peaceful and stable global dynamic. Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.
On a given day, you may be called on to:
At Sandia, we value the important work done by our interns and its contribution to National Security. Because of this, our interns earn competitive pay rates. Our pay structure is based on earned credit hours, classification, and degree level. Your pay rate will be determined during the hire process and included in your offer package. You can view the Intern Pay Rate chart here (https://www.sandia.gov/app/uploads/sites/51/2024/12/Student-Rate-Sheet-2025.docx) .
Qualifications We Desire
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.
About Our Team
The Exploratory Nuclear Weapon Systems Department, 0236, is a National leader in threat-informed and anticipatory Nuclear Weapon system concept design and technology assessment. We provide leadership to the Nuclear Deterrence portfolio at Sandia in order to execute nuclear weapon concept exploration, guide necessary technology maturation, and integrate operational system prototypes for options that span the Technology Readiness Level scale. Department 0236 is a multidisciplinary engineering team with experience ranging across integrated hardware flight testing, nuclear weapon component and system design, program execution with external partners, early phase nuclear weapon program execution, beyond horizon technologies, operational experience, and strategic technology planning. We regularly interact with NNSA and our DOW partners to establish the Art of the Possible at Sandia National Laboratories.
We anticipate future Deterrence needs and mitigate technical surprise on all timescales of interest to National Security.
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:
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 Q-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 DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.
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.
NNSA Requirements For MedPEDs
If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.
If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.
Qualifications We Require
You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:
Job ID: 696486
Job Family: 91
Regular/Temporary Position: T
Full/Part-Time Status: P
We are seeking a Summer R&D Undergraduate Intern to join our dynamic Exploratory Nuclear Weapon Systems Department to support the PHOENIX program portfolio. Current crisis events in the world show us we are at the dawn of a new era of competitive strategic gamesmanship between major powers. Sandia's world-class nuclear weapon engineers and scientists are well-versed in technological options: what we need is savvy, technically-informed, political science exploration of where technology solutions must overlap and support sound policy objectives in order to achieve a more peaceful and stable global dynamic. Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.
On a given day, you may be called on to:
- Contribute to the design and development of a new nuclear weapon concept using the engineering or science field of your major.
- Conduct research into current/existing US Policy provisions regarding nuclear weapons, including previous Nuclear Posture Reviews, Presidential Nuclear Initiatives, Congressional Research Service Reports, and Arms Control Treaties.
- Create research objectives coordinated with members of Sandias Global Security center, Advanced and Exploratory Systems, and Systems Analysis.
- Write reports and/or prepare briefings regarding US Policy, and its relation to technology options to address future Nuclear Deterrence needs.
- Deliver and communicate research results to the above stakeholders at Sandia and possibly external equities.
- Together, we will realize the PHOENIX motto that Deterrence is Our Dividend and Peace is Our Profit.
At Sandia, we value the important work done by our interns and its contribution to National Security. Because of this, our interns earn competitive pay rates. Our pay structure is based on earned credit hours, classification, and degree level. Your pay rate will be determined during the hire process and included in your offer package. You can view the Intern Pay Rate chart here (https://www.sandia.gov/app/uploads/sites/51/2024/12/Student-Rate-Sheet-2025.docx) .
Qualifications We Desire
- Desired Majors Include: Electrical, Mechanical, System, Computer Engineering or related field.
- Policy coursework and interest
- Desired cumulative GPA of 3.5/4.0 or higher.
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.
About Our Team
The Exploratory Nuclear Weapon Systems Department, 0236, is a National leader in threat-informed and anticipatory Nuclear Weapon system concept design and technology assessment. We provide leadership to the Nuclear Deterrence portfolio at Sandia in order to execute nuclear weapon concept exploration, guide necessary technology maturation, and integrate operational system prototypes for options that span the Technology Readiness Level scale. Department 0236 is a multidisciplinary engineering team with experience ranging across integrated hardware flight testing, nuclear weapon component and system design, program execution with external partners, early phase nuclear weapon program execution, beyond horizon technologies, operational experience, and strategic technology planning. We regularly interact with NNSA and our DOW partners to establish the Art of the Possible at Sandia National Laboratories.
We anticipate future Deterrence needs and mitigate technical surprise on all timescales of interest to National Security.
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 vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*
- These benefits vary by job classification.
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 Q-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 DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.
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.
NNSA Requirements For MedPEDs
If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.
If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.
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 the spring term immediately preceding the internship (or scheduled to graduate in the spring) 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 40 hours per week during the summer
- Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship
Job ID: 696486
Job Family: 91
Regular/Temporary Position: T
Full/Part-Time Status: P