Intern, R&D Undergraduate Year-Round - Photovoltaics and Materials Technology (PMT), Onsite

We are seeking an undergraduate-level student intern to assist in the characterization of materials used in battery applications. The work focuses on how changes in materials properties—mainly surface area, porosity, and thermal properties—impact battery performance over time. This position would best suit a student with an interest in chemical engineering, chemistry, or materials science.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with staff members to plan, design, set up, and perform materials characterization.
• Organize and prioritize samples.
• Collect data using various scientific instruments (surface area and pore size analyzer, differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetric analyzer, etc.).
• Process and interpret data in MS Excel and summarize findings in MS Word and MS PowerPoint.
• Maintain a clean and safe workspace.
• Perform weekly checks of safety equipment and follow corporate processes/procedures (e.g., hazardous waste disposal, reapplication requests, ES&H).

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Pay

At Sandia, interns earn competitive pay rates 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. View the Intern Pay Rate chart.

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.
• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

Note: If you have not earned a high school diploma or equivalent, please apply to a high school intern position.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Excel.
• Major in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering from an accredited undergraduate program.
• Experience in a laboratory environment, including operation and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation and/or maintaining a laboratory notebook.
• Able to work in a team as well as independently with minimal supervision.
• Good written and oral communication skills.

About Our Team

The Photovoltaics and Materials Technology (PMT) department develops and validates materials and technologies that improve the performance, reliability, and safety of photovoltaic and energy storage systems for energy and national security applications. Sandia focuses on emerging technologies and collaborates with dozens of companies and universities to develop and test new module architectures, tracking systems, integrated power electronics, encapsulants, and specialized coatings. We also develop materials such as thermally stable polymers, electrodes, and electrolytes for advanced batteries and other applications. Our team applies HPC modeling and advanced indoor and outdoor testing capabilities to evaluate and predict system performance, degradation, and failure mechanisms.

Benefits

• Challenging work with impact contributing to national security and global peace.
• Extraordinary co-workers and access to some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities.
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities.
• Flexible work arrangements, including 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.

*Benefits vary by job classification.