INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Graduate (Summer) Intern - Electrical Engineering

CompanyNational Renewable Energy Laboratory
LocationGolden
Work ModeOn Site
PostedMarch 11, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The primary responsibility involves conducting research in electric machines modeling, focusing on axial flux motors, and assisting researchers with dynamometer setup and inverter characterization. Duties include designing and performing laboratory experiments on advanced axial-flux electric motors and building/operating the dynamometer for testing purposes.
Internship Type
full time
Salary Range
$44,500 - $71,200
Company Size
3730
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
The U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for energy systems research and development.
About the Role

Posting Title

Graduate (Summer) Intern - Electrical Engineering

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Intern (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NLR

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.

Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

The Advanced Power Electronics and Electric Machines (APEEM) Group within the Energy Conversion and Storage Systems (ECaSS) Center at the National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, CO, has an opening for a graduate summer student intern.  The primary responsibility of this student intern will be conducting research in electric machines modeling, especially axial flux motors, helping the APEEM researchers to complete the dynamometer setup in the lab, inverter characterization using dynamometer and grid-tied power supplies. The position spans over three summer months and is full-time (40 hours per week).

The primary job duties will involve designing and performing laboratory experiments on advanced axial-flux electric motors and building and operating the dynamometer for motor testing purposes.  This task involves a clear understanding of engineering electromagnetic field theories, electric machine winding theories, motor design procedures, and motor control system.  Applicants should be familiar with experimental procedures and equipment such as data acquisition systems, power analyzers, temperature sensors, and power supplies. Applicants will also need to contribute to written publications and oral presentations.

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Basic Qualifications

Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Undergraduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.
Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.

Graduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution.
Post Graduate: Earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.

Please Note:
• Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts, as part of the application process.
• If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

  • Applicant must be a full-time M.S./Ph.D. student.
  • A solid background in electric machines and power electronics is required.
  • Experience with laboratory work and conducting experiments is necessary.
  • Experience with motor design and analysis tools such as Maxwell, MotorCAD, and Simulink is necessary.
  • The intern must have the ability to conduct laboratory experiments, acquire, process, and analyze data, and summarize findings in the form of papers or reports.
  • The position will also require strong communication skills including interpersonal, presentations, and writing.
  • Ability to work both independently and with a team is needed.
  • Reasonable understanding of power semiconductor module selection and characterization.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Background in databases, electrical-engineering-oriented machine learning, and fault diagnostics of electric machines is a plus.

  • Experience in traction inverter design and operation is a strong plus.

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: / Annual Salary Range: $44,500 - $71,200

NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this requirement.

Drug Free Workplace

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce. 

Key Skills
Electric Machines ModelingAxial Flux MotorsDynamometer SetupInverter CharacterizationLaboratory ExperimentsElectromagnetic Field TheoriesElectric Machine Winding TheoriesMotor Design ProceduresMotor Control SystemData Acquisition SystemsPower AnalyzersTemperature SensorsPower SuppliesWritten PublicationsOral PresentationsPower Semiconductor Module Selection
Categories
EngineeringScience & ResearchEnergy
Benefits
Medical InsuranceDental InsuranceVision Insurance403(b) Employee Savings Plan With Employer MatchSick Leave