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Intern, Technical Graduate Summer - Exploratory Nuclear Deterrent Systems, Onsite

AT Sandia National Laboratories
Sandia National Laboratories

Intern, Technical Graduate Summer - Exploratory Nuclear Deterrent Systems, Onsite

Albuquerque, NM

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a Summer Technical Graduate Intern to join our dynamic team. You will support the Advanced and Exploratory Nuclear Deterrent Systems Group at Sandia National Laboratories. Current crisis events in the world today 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, 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.

On a given day, you may be called on to:

  • 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 Sandia's 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.

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Salary Range:

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/51/2024/10/Student-Rate-Sheet-Sept-2024.pdf) .

Qualifications We Require:

You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:

  • Earned bachelor's degree
  • Currently attending and enrolled full time in the spring term immediately preceding the internship (or scheduled to graduate in the spring) in an accredited related 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

    Note: If you have not yet started your graduate program, please apply to an undergraduate intern position.

Qualifications We Desire:

This graduate technical internship position desires current graduate students with a background or strong interest/competency in the following:

  • Current graduate student (masters or PhD) majoring in political science, international relations, and/or technology policy
  • Course work or verifiable research in one or more of the following areas: nuclear deterrence theory, nuclear policy, arms control treaties and negotiations, advanced technology policy, and/or foreign nuclear policy
  • Proven research credentials in the field of study, to include peer-reviewed published articles, conference papers/presentations, and/or independent research reports
  • Proven ability to conduct independent research on above or similar topics
  • Proven ability to work on technical or expert teams and provide input
  • Proven communications skills and ability to self-generate written reports and slide briefings
  • An active DoD Top Secret clearance or DoE Q Clearance is desired, but not required.

Posting Duration:

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 Deterrent Systems Department, 2436, is a National leader in threat informed nuclear weapon system concept design and technology assessment. We provide leadership to the Nuclear Deterrence portfolio at Sandia in order to complete new nuclear weapon concept exploration, guide necessary technology maturation, and demonstrate system integration for options that span the Technology Readiness Level scale. Department 2436 is a multidisciplinary engineering team with experience ranging from integrated hardware flight testing, nuclear weapon component design, program execution with external partners, early weapon program design, beyond horizon technologies, and strategic technology planning. We regularly interact with NNSA and our DOD partners to establish the art of the possible at Sandia.

We anticipate future deterrence needs to 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 vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance

    World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov
    These benefits vary by job classification.

Security Clearance:

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: 694650

Job Family: 91

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: P

Client-provided location(s): Albuquerque, NM, USA
Job ID: Sandia-E90FC8766F3A470F8D7F2F2E751E6B50
Employment Type: Intern