What You Will Do
Come join the brightest minds in cutting-edge space technology! The Intelligence and Space Research Division (ISR) at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking highly motivated individuals looking for a challenging postgraduate internship at the post-baccalaureate level within the Space Electronics and Signal Processing Group (ISR-4). ISR-4 supports a wide range of national security and scientific missions by developing electronics and signal processing systems for advanced space and remote sensing instruments. Our interdisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and scientists work, learn, and succeed through a highly creative and dynamic R&D environment.
The ISR-4 Postbac program offers year-round internships for recent graduates interested in electronics engineering, embedded systems, signal processing, and space-based instrumentation. The program provides mentoring, hands-on technical experience, and professional development opportunities through a normalized work plan complementing the student's chosen area of study. These professional development opportunities may include funding of a master's degree or follow-on educational opportunities. Projects will vary depending on your skills and interests and the Laboratory's current needs.
You may contribute to projects involving:
- Embedded electronics design and layout
- Analog circuit design for specialized detectors
- Digital signal processing and data collection
- FPGA, firmware, or embedded software development
- Radiation-tolerant or radiation-hardened single board computers
- Specialty power supply design
- Applied RF and antenna design
- Instrument integration, testing, troubleshooting, and verification
- Data acquisition systems for spaceflight or ground-based sensing applications
Although this position is centered in ISR-4, students frequently collaborate with engineers, scientists, and project teams across the ISR Division to develop innovative, high-reliability instruments for unattended, long-term, failure-free operation in demanding environments such as high radiation, high temperature, and space. These collaborations may include space science, electromagnetic sensing, flight software, mechanical design and integration, remote sensing, systems assurance, nuclear sensing, and mission operations teams. This cross-disciplinary environment provides students with broad exposure to how advanced instruments are designed, built, tested, and deployed for real-world applications.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Education or experience in one or more of the following areas relevant to ISR-4:
- Electrical engineering, computer engineering, applied physics, or other related STEM discipline
- Electronics design
- Embedded systems
- Analog or digital circuit design
- Signal processing
- FPGA development
- PCB design and layout
- Data acquisition systems
- RF systems or antenna design
- Power electronics
- Instrumentation or sensor systems
- Space hardware development
Education/Experience: BS/BA Degree from an accredited program in any STEM field completed within the past 2 years with a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with laboratory electronics equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, function generators, network analyzers, or logic analyzers
- Experience with circuit simulation, schematic capture, or PCB layout tools
- Familiarity with microcontrollers, embedded processors, FPGAs, or single board computers
- Experience with programming languages (C/C++, Python, MATLAB, or similar) and/or hardware description languages (VHDL, Verilog)
- Interest in high-reliability electronics for space, radiation, or other demanding environments
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills
- Strong leadership skills
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:
- A resume and current transcript, showing the above requirements, are required.
- Applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter (2 pages or less) that addresses the job requirements of the position and, if applicable, the desired skills and education eligibility.
- Your letter and/or resume should provide contact information for 2-4 references who are familiar with your capabilities as related to this job.
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 Northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. LANL enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns. 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.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
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.
Incentive Compensation Program: For general program information refer to the Student Programs web page: https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/student-internships/index.php
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 applicable 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 a disability accommodation, email
[email protected] or call (505) 664-6947, opt. 3.
Instructions on How to Activate/Create a LANL Jobs Account:
Follow the instructions below if you have ever had an employee Z number, been a contractor, or received Los Alamos Lab insurance coverage to activate your account:
- Select the Click Here button if you have been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage.
- Please enter only your first and last name and current email address (an email with your validation code will be sent to you) to activate the account currently in our system.
- Enter your validation code as described in the email you receive and complete the 3-page registration form. Your account is now active, and you can apply for jobs or save to your basket. Important: Enter the validation code within 15 days to activate your account or your account will be deactivated.
Follow the instructions below if you if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage to create an account:
- Select the Register button if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage to Create an Account.
- From here, you will establish an account with username and password.
How to Apply: Login to Your Account to Complete the Application Process
- Click the Vacancy Name number (in blue) to view any job's details.
- Click Apply or Add to Basket to apply later. Tip: To apply for a job or save your basket, you must have a LANL jobs account.
If you experience any technical issues, please email
[email protected] for assistance.
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