Intern, RD Graduate Summer - Nonlinear Mechanics and Dynamics (NOMAD), Onsite

An 8-week summer research program that brings together researchers from around the world to tackle challenging problems in engineering sciences. As an intern, you’ll work in diverse teams, contribute to a research project, present findings at a final seminar series, and network with professionals in your field. Teams typically consist of 3 interns and 3-5 mentors per project.

Past Summer Projects

• Breaking Bats: Designing a Collapsible Baseball Bat Using Topology Optimization
• Chaotic Vibration Response of Nonlinear Components under Forced Vibration
• Implementing Multi-Input-Multi-Output Shock Capabilities
• Predicting Printability of Particle-laden Inks
• Multiscale Modeling of the Mechanical Response of Tantalum Alloys
• Experimental Characterization of Gas Transport in a Vibrated Multiphase System

For more details on past projects, visit the NOMAD website.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to a summer research project within a multidisciplinary team.
• Participate in team-based research and present findings at a final seminar series.
• Engage and network with professionals in nonlinear mechanics and dynamics.

Requirements

• Earned bachelor’s degree.
• Currently enrolled full-time in the spring term immediately preceding the internship (or scheduled to graduate in the spring) in an accredited science, engineering, or math graduate program.
• 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.
• Onsite work is required due to the nature of the projects.

Qualifications We Desire

• Pursuing a Ph.D. or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, materials science, engineering mechanics, applied mathematics, or related fields.
• Available to participate in the Institute for 8 weeks from June 14, 2027, to August 6, 2027.
• Experience or academic focus in structural dynamics (e.g., mechanical vibrations, modal analysis) and/or solid mechanics (e.g., failure analysis, contact mechanics).
• Experience with finite element analysis, experimental methods, signal processing, model validation and calibration, numerical methods, or measurement systems.
• Graduate research aligned with state-of-the-art topics in nonlinear mechanics or dynamics.
• Ability to work independently and integrate effectively into a dynamic, multidisciplinary team.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills (both oral and written).
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7/4.0 is desired.

Pay

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 for details.

About Our Team

The Component Science and Mechanics Department conducts frontier mechanics research and provides science-based engineering solutions for component development and assessment. Focus areas include:

• Interfacial and micro/nano-mechanics
• Probabilistic mechanics and uncertainty quantification
• Mechanical aspects of component and subsystem reliability

Areas of active interest include interconnects and encapsulation, fatigue and fracture, energy dissipation at contacts, micro-structural mechanics, shock and vibration, crack initiation and propagation, micro-scale diagnostics, and adaptive structures. The department utilizes computational and physical simulations, including solid mechanics and structural dynamics for both linear and nonlinear systems, in a dynamic multidisciplinary teaming environment.

Benefits

• Challenging work with impact on national security and global innovation.
• Collaboration with extraordinary co-workers and access to cutting-edge tools and research facilities.
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities.
• Flexible work arrangements, including 9/80 (every other Friday off) and 4/10 (four ten-hour days per week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting options for many positions.
• Generous vacation, strong medical and retirement benefits (e.g., competitive 401k), learning opportunities, and relocation assistance.
• Amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance.

Benefits vary by job classification.

Security Clearance

Selected applicants must pass a pre-employment drug test and background review, including checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a DOE L-level security clearance. Dual citizenship may impact your ability to obtain a clearance. Substance abuse, falsification of information, criminal activity, or serious misconduct may result in denial or termination of clearance, affecting employment.