Post-Bachelor's Student Intern | Los Alamos, NM | Los Alamos National Laboratory

Post-Bachelor's Student Intern

What You Will Do

The Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group (C-NR) at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a creative and motivated post-bachelor's engineer or programmer to support the Radiochemistry and Counting Team. The team is responsible for the radiometric analysis of samples in support of national security and institutional programs, as well as research work in the areas of non-proliferation, radiochemistry, and nuclear physics. For these missions, the team utilizes a wide variety of custom and commercial gamma spectrometry, alpha spectrometry, and beta counting systems, many with automated sample changing. Over the last several years, many custom legacy systems have been modernized to some extent, but additional updates are needed while new systems must be designed to support various R&D efforts and meet growing operational needs. Additionally, commercial systems often require hardware or software modifications for integration into existing operational workflows.

The selected candidate will focus on counting system integration and modernization by developing software and/or control systems. Software applications typically control or communicate with detector and data acquisition hardware, schedule counting jobs, operate sample changers and other automation, and process data. These applications commonly interface with the web-based Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and some development on this system may be required. In regard to hardware, custom components are often designed, fabricated, and installed for sample changers and detectors, and counting systems also require periodic mechanical maintenance. Controllers and other electronic components are usually fabricated in-house.

Thus, the successful candidate will have a strong background in engineering design, software development, or both, and be expected to:

• Execute multiple aspects of the system design lifecycle (requirements generation, prototyping, software development, fabrication and installation, testing and integration, maintenance, etc.) and/or the software development lifecycle (requirements generation, development, testing, deployment, maintenance, etc.)

  • Properly document design work and software and create installation or user guides
  • Assist with nuclear detector maintenance and daily counting system operations
  • Support commercial system integration and repair


The Post-Bachelor's category of the LANL student program applies to those who have been awarded a bachelor's degree within the past three years but have not yet been accepted into a graduate program. The chosen candidate may remain in this category for up to two years, and there may be an opportunity for conversion into a permanent position at the conclusion of the post-bachelor's appointment.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:


Minimum Job Requirements:

  • Solid technical background in a related area such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and/or nuclear engineering
  • Experience performing various aspects of the engineering design process and/or software development process
  • Experience developing custom software applications for automated electromechanical systems and/or computer-based data acquisition systems
  • Development and/or system administration on Linux or Windows systems
  • Demonstrated experience programming in C/C++ and Python
  • Ability to conduct work independently and on a small team
  • Attention to detail and organizational skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously
  • Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance, which typically requires U.S. citizenship


Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience using electronic test equipment and troubleshooting electronics
  • Experience building/fabricating electrical assemblies and/or mechanical systems
  • Experience with software version control
  • User interface development experience
  • Web development on the client-side and/or server-side
  • Experience using engineering design software, particularly 3D CAD modeling, and prototyping components and/or assemblies
  • Experience working in a nuclear environment and/or operating nuclear instrumentation
  • Active DOE Q clearance


Education/Experience:

Position requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field from an accredited college or university no more than three years ago

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Note to Applicants:

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network

§ Dental and vision insurance

§ Free basic life and disability insurance

§ Paid childbirth and parental leave

§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)

§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs

§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.