What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a Graduate Student Intern to work with a team to develop algorithms, models and software to simulate compressible turbulent flows from subsonic to hypersonic Mach numbers. The successful candidate will assist our team with model development for the modeling of hypersonic ablation phenomena.

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

• Analyze, develop, implement, and evaluate models and algorithms for compressible Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS), Large Eddy Simulations (LES), Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) simulations, and hybrid RANS/LES simulations.
• Analyze and improve performance of codes on next generation computing architectures.
• Support areas of development including: structured and unstructured high-order finite volume, finite difference, and finite element methods applied to transonic and hypersonic fluid flow; algorithms for GPUs, manycore, and other advanced architectures; mesh adaptation for petascale and larger simulations; and coupling approaches for multi-physics problems such as conjugate heat transfer and fluid-structure interaction in high-speed flows.
• Contribute to algorithms for simulating aerodynamic heating, aerothermodynamics and develop physical models for material response in hypersonic flow.

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/51/2024/12/Student-Rate-Sheet-2025.docx) .

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 an accredited science, engineering, or math graduate program
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Ability to work up to 30 hours per week during the academic year, and 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:

• PhD candidate, in the aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or applied mathematics/computational engineering sciences (with concentration in fluid dynamics)
• Development experience in CFD for compressible high Reynolds number turbulent flows
• Experience with computational approaches (finite element, finite difference, and finite volume methods) for CFD simulations
• Experience with code development
• Experience working with a diverse team
• Good communication skills as evidenced by a history of publication of results in peer-reviewed journals and external presentations at appropriate scientific conferences

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 Computational Thermal and Fluid Mechanics Department (1541) develops advanced engineering analysis codes to execute on a variety of computing platforms from petaflop machines at SNL, LANL and LLNL to desktop workstations. These codes will be used to perform highly detailed simulations for use in the design, development and qualification of nuclear weapons. We also intend to continue our Center's history of collaborating with outside government agencies and commercial enterprises. The code development efforts are focused at providing analysis tools for other departments in the Engineering Sciences Center and other strategic partners. The code areas are thermal analysis, participating media radiation, fire environments, incompressible flow (with capillary hydrodynamics, drying, porous flow -- multi-physics), compressible flow (subsonic, transonic and hypersonic), and shock physics. The development teams also support work in solid mechanics and structural dynamics. Code teams are typically five to ten people, and strong interaction with the analysis teams is an important part of the code development process. Internal customers include the Defense Programs, Defense Systems and Assessments, and the Energy and Environment Sectors, in collaboration with other departments in the Center. In addition, the department has significant involvement with external industrial partners including industrial consortia.

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 vacation, 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 L-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 the 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: 694973

Job Family: 91

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: P