What are the responsibilities and job description for the Intern, Technical Undergraduate Year Round - Solar Thermal Test & Demonstration, Onsite position at Sandia National Laboratories?
What Your Job Will Be Like
We are seeking an Intern Year Round - Technical Undergraduate intern to support Solar Thermal Test & Demonstration department to assist our technologist staff with the improvement and modernization of the test capabilities at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF). The intern will assist in updating the mechanical and or electrical systems at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) that 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.
On any 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 Require
You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:
Qualifications We Desire
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
About Our Team
The Solar Thermal Test & Demonstration department operates Sandia's National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF), a globally unique, multi-mission R&D capability that enables pioneering research and technology development for energy and aerospace applications. Using concentrated sunlight, our team creates extreme thermal and combined harsh environments for tests ranging from small-scale coupons to full-scale, multi-story components and systems. We develop and test advanced thermal protection materials, optical metrology systems, innovative solar thermal energy technologies, and heat transfer technologies, including heat exchangers and heat pumps.
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.
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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.
Job ID: 697572
Job Family: 91
Regular/Temporary Position: T
Full/Part-Time Status: P
We are seeking an Intern Year Round - Technical Undergraduate intern to support Solar Thermal Test & Demonstration department to assist our technologist staff with the improvement and modernization of the test capabilities at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF). The intern will assist in updating the mechanical and or electrical systems at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) that 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.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Work with staff technologists to install and repair electrical wiring, or mechanical systems, and fixtures
- Develop, build, or fabricate test stands and systems to support test campaigns.
- Install or replace conduits and pipes for electrical wires and cables.
- Build thermocouple wires or support the assembly of data acquisition systems.
- Inspect electrical & mechanical systems to determine whether repairs are needed.
- Machine or support the procurement of machined prototypes.
- Bending, twisting, climbing, crawling, or crouching/squatting
- Lifting more than 35 lbs. with or without assistance
- Pushing or pulling
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 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 a related accredited undergraduate program
- 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
- Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship
Qualifications We Desire
- Proficient in the use of test meters and other diagnostic equipment.
- Knowledge of electrical systems & Wiring
- Ability to use hand tools & Power tools
- Ability to determine the appropriate welding equipment or method based on requirements
- Experience with different methods of welding
- Ability to read blueprints or drawings to evaluate specifications and plan layouts or processes.
- Maintain equipment in a condition and method that does not compromise safety.
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
About Our Team
The Solar Thermal Test & Demonstration department operates Sandia's National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF), a globally unique, multi-mission R&D capability that enables pioneering research and technology development for energy and aerospace applications. Using concentrated sunlight, our team creates extreme thermal and combined harsh environments for tests ranging from small-scale coupons to full-scale, multi-story components and systems. We develop and test advanced thermal protection materials, optical metrology systems, innovative solar thermal energy technologies, and heat transfer technologies, including heat exchangers and heat pumps.
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.
Job ID: 697572
Job Family: 91
Regular/Temporary Position: T
Full/Part-Time Status: P