Job Description

Summer R&D Graduate Intern – Computer Science Research Institute (CSRI)

The Computer Science Research Institute (CSRI) at Sandia National Laboratories is seeking highly motivated and enthusiastic graduate students for summer R&D internships. This is an exceptional opportunity to gain research experience in a highly collaborative environment, working directly with Sandia staff scientists on cutting-edge computational research.

Possible Research Areas

Interns will participate in collaborative research across a wide range of areas in computer science, applied mathematics, discrete mathematics, mathematical modeling, computational science and engineering, and high-performance computing. Specific research areas include, but are not limited to:

• Quantum Computing
• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Advanced Computer Architectures & Systems Software
• Parallel Algorithms, Programming Languages & Paradigms
• Data Sciences
• Materials Science
• Combinatorial Mathematics
• Discrete Event Simulation
• Scalable Solvers
• Continuous and Discrete Optimization
• Uncertainty Quantification & Statistics
• Multiscale Methods & Mathematics
• Multiphysics Modeling
• Visualization & Meshing
• Advanced Modeling & Simulation
• Human Decision Modeling & Brain Inspired Computing

Students with interests in applying computational methods to scientific and engineering applications are also encouraged to apply. These applications include:

• Shock Physics
• Molecular Dynamics
• Magnetohydrodynamics
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Electrical Systems
• Climate Security

On Any Given Day, The Intern May Be Involved In:

Depending on the intern’s interests, the work may be more focused on research or software development. Potential activities include:

• Research and Development: Reviewing existing techniques, seeking new approaches, and developing computing solutions.
• Algorithm and Software Development: Designing and implementing algorithms and software pertinent to the research area.
• Simulation Execution: Running and analyzing simulation codes.
• Collaboration: Working closely with Sandia staff involved in the research area.
• Publication Development: Contributing to the analysis and preparation of research for publication.
• Presenting Results: Sharing findings and progress with the research group.

Location & Work Arrangement

This opportunity is primarily for Sandia’s Livermore, CA laboratory. However, the selected applicant can be a remote worker located in any U.S. State or District of Columbia. Regular or periodic travel to the assigned work location may be required.

Salary Range

Sandia offers competitive pay rates for interns, recognizing their valuable contributions to National Security. The pay structure is based on earned credit hours, classification, and degree level. Your specific pay rate will be determined during the hiring process and included in your offer package. An Intern Pay Rate chart is available for reference (https://www.sandia.gov/app/uploads/sites/51/2024/12/Student-Rate-Sheet-2025.docx).

Qualifications We Require

• Education: Earned bachelor’s degree.
• Enrollment: Currently attending and enrolled full-time in an accredited science, engineering, or math graduate program during the spring term immediately preceding the internship, or scheduled to graduate in the spring.
  
  Note: If you have not yet started your graduate program, please apply to an undergraduate intern position.
• GPA: Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0.
• Availability: Ability to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer.
• Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States of America. Sandia will not sponsor work authorization for this position.

Qualifications We Desire

• Major: Majoring in chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, statistics, or a related field.
• Communication: Strong communication skills appropriate for participating in multi-disciplinary research teams.
• Programming Experience: Software development and programming experience in languages such as C++, C, Fortran, Matlab, Java, or Python.
• Parallel Programming: Knowledge of, or interest in learning, parallel programming techniques such as MPI, OpenMP, and/or threads.
• Mathematical Modeling: Experience with mathematical modeling techniques (e.g., linear and integer programming, statistical modeling, system dynamics modeling).

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 Computer Science Research Institute (CSRI)

The CSRI at Sandia creates technology and solutions for many of our nation’s most demanding national security challenges. Our portfolio spans from fundamental research to state-of-the-art applications, including computer system architecture (both hardware and software), enabling technology for modeling physical and engineering systems, and support research in discrete mathematics, data analytics, and decision support.

CSRI is closely tied to Sandia’s broader missions and strategies, with application areas such as nuclear weapons, cyber security, climate modeling, alternative energy technologies, and improvements to the power grid. We also serve as stewards of important national capabilities in high-strain-rate physics, scientific visualization, mesh generation, and computational materials. CSRI maintains world-class research programs in computational and discrete mathematics, computer science, scalable algorithms, and large-scale high-performance computer systems.

The CSRI offers an exciting and highly multidisciplinary research environment, providing interns access to Sandia’s state-of-the-art parallel-computing environment, including numerous large-scale clusters, visualization servers, and other specialized computing systems.

About Sandia National Laboratories

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation. We offer:

• Challenging work with significant impact on global security, peace, and freedom.
• Extraordinary co-workers and a collaborative environment.
• Access to some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities worldwide.
• Ample career advancement and enrichment opportunities.
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions, 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*.

Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

Security Clearance

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia conducts a pre-employment drug test and background review, including checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Employees in New Mexico must also pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse, illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct, or other indicators of untrustworthiness can result in denial or termination of access, impacting the ability to perform duties and leading to employment termination.

Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a U.S. citizen.

If hired without a clearance, and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one, or if you bid on positions requiring a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance must be U.S. citizens. Dual citizenship (U.S. and another country) may impact the ability to obtain a security clearance.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) requiring uncleared access for greater than 179 days are subject to the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process, which includes USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions), and OF-306 (Declaration for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate badge retrieval, removal of cyber (logical) access, and/or removal from SNL subcontract. MOWs may appeal an unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA, and if unsuccessful, may try the UPIV process one year after the decision date. UPIV requirements do not apply to individuals requiring a DOE personnel security clearance or foreign nationals.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 (e.g., for measuring heartbeat and brain waves), and are employed by Sandia National Laboratories, you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, additional steps may be necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Job ID: 696659

Job Family: 91

Regular/Temporary Position: Temporary

Full/Part-Time Status: Full-Time